Moonlight Sunrise

"Moonlight Sunrise"
Single by Twice
from the EP Ready to Be
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2023 (2023-01-20)
StudioJYPE Studios (Seoul)
Genre
Length3:00
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Earattack
  • Lee Woo-hyun
Twice singles chronology
"Talk That Talk"
(2022) 		"Moonlight Sunrise"
(2023) 		"Set Me Free"
(2023)
Twice English singles chronology
"The Feels"
(2021) 		"Moonlight Sunrise"
(2023) 		"I Got You"
(2024)
Music video
"Moonlight Sunrise" on YouTube

"Moonlight Sunrise" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Twice. It was released as their second original English-language single on January 20, 2023, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records. It serves as a pre-release single of the group's twelfth extended play, Ready to Be, released in March.[3] It is primarily an upbeat Miami bass, R&B and pop track that incorporates house, synth-pop, and dreamy elements in its production.

"Moonlight Sunrise" received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised the song's sultry lyrics and its fun, miami bass production, showing a new side of Twice. The track peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Global 200, number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 152 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart. It also became a top-ten charting song in Hungary, Japan, New Zealand, and Taiwan.

Background and release

On December 21, 2022, Twice posted a poster showing the text "Twice / Our Youth" with the caption "First, 1/4 of 2023", revealing that they would release the second all-English single in January 2023, their first since "The Feels" in 2021, and their twelfth extended play in March of the same year.[3] On January 3, 2023, Twice shared their new English single title on their social media account, called "Moonlight Sunrise", to be released on January 20.[4] Individual and group concept photos were posted between January 10 and 15. The music video teaser was released through Twice's YouTube account on January 17.[5][6] They performed the song for the first time at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event held in Los Angeles on March 1.[7]

Composition

"Moonlight Sunrise" was co-produced by Earattack and Lee Woo-hyun, and co-written by Nina Ann Nelson and Kaedi Dalley of Citizen Queen.[8][9] It is an upbeat Miami bass, R&B, and pop song.[1][2] The track incorporates a synth-pop arrangement with house influences, a dreamy melody, and lyrics that "explore the urgency of love"[10] In terms of musical notation, the song is written in the key of C-sharp Major and has a tempo of 125 beats per minute.[11]

In an interview with People, Jihyo said the inspiration for the song came from the final concert of Twice 4th World Tour III at Banc of California Stadium: "During the tour, we had performed under the moonlight and we were dancing, and the composer for this song was there. He found our performance so beautiful, so that was what the inspiration of this song."[12] Tzuyu shared the meaning of "Moonlight Sunrise" during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, explaining that the song is about "wanting to know the other person's heart, and they use the metaphor of 'moonlight' and 'sunrise' to parallel that fluttering heart feeling when you're in love."[13]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
IZM[14]
NME[15]

Rolling Stone India reviewed the song and stated that "it exudes romance with a synth-pop arrangement, further intensified with house influences. The dreamy melody breathes life into the lyrics that explore the urgency of love. The dizzying love confession sees the members of Twice boldly confess their ardor; 'Baby, I don't really mean to rush/ But I'ma really need your touch/ If I'ma make it through the night/ I got the moonlight/ Tequila sunrise/ Uh, come take a shot on me, I got ya'".[10] Joshua Minsoo Kim, writing for NPR Music, said the song was "one of the most thrilling English songs from a K-pop group ever" and praised its "faithful interpretation" of the Atlanta bass genre.[9] Tim Chan writing for Rolling Stone stated that "'Moonlight Sunrise,' a serious contender for pop song of the year. No longer the wide-eyed group that burst onto the scene as teenagers in 2015, Twice get downright sultry and seductive on the Atlanta bass-inspired track. In just three minutes, 'Moonlight' perfectly encapsulates the sheer joy of Twice's music, brimming with sing-along melodies and playful lyrics that get people talking".[16] Lai Frances, writing for Uproxx, "the song's flirtatious lyrics ('I've got the moonlight, tequila sunrise, come take a shot on me, I got ya') on top of a bed of Miami-bass is an invitation to the new side of Twice."[17] Rolling Stone included the song in their list of best song of 2023, praising the group's change in sound and image writing, "Twice underscored their maturity by showing an artistic range beyond their signature bubblegum pop, with a Miami bass-infused R&B track."[18]

Commercial performance

"Moonlight Sunrise" marks the group's second entry on Billboard Hot 100, which makes Twice the fourth K-pop group to have two or more songs on the chart, joining BTS, Blackpink, and New Jeans.[19]

Track listing

  1. "Moonlight Sunrise" – 3:00
  2. "Moonlight Sunrise" (House remix) – 3:38
  3. "Moonlight Sunrise" (Club remix) – 3:51
  4. "Moonlight Sunrise" (R&B remix) – 3:13
  5. "Moonlight Sunrise" (instrumental) – 3:00

Credits and personnel

  • Twice – vocals
  • Sophia Pae – background vocals
  • Earattack – songwriter, producer, arranger, keyboard, bass, drum programming, vocal director, recording
  • Nina Ann Nelson – songwriter
  • Kaedi Dalley – songwriter
  • Lee Woo-hyun – songwriter, producer, arranger, keyboard, bass, drum programming
  • Lee Kyeong-won – digital editing
  • Goo Hye-jin – recording
  • Lim Chan-mi – recording
  • Lee Tae-sub – mixing
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
  • Haneul Lee – immersive mix engineering
  • Jung-hoon Choi – immersive mix engineering

Charts

Chart performance for "Moonlight Sunrise"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[21] 36
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] 62
Global 200 (Billboard)[23] 22
Hong Kong (Billboard)[24] 22
Hungary (Single Top 40)[25] 6
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[26] 5
Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[27] 7
Malaysia (Billboard)[28] 19
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[29] 4
Philippines (Billboard)[30] 11
Singapore (RIAS)[31] 11
South Korea (Circle)[32] 152
Taiwan (Billboard)[33] 6
UK Indie (OCC)[34] 31
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[35] 39
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[36] 39
US Billboard Hot 100[37] 84
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[38] 27

Certifications

Streaming certifications for "Moonlight Sunrise"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[39] Gold 50,000,000†

† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Moonlight Sunrise"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various January 20, 2023
Original
[40]
January 24, 2023 The Remixes [20]
November 17, 2023 Jonas Blue remix [41]

References

  1. ^ a b c Bell, Crystal (January 20, 2023). "New Year, New Twice: The Global Pop Phenoms Talk "Moonlight Sunrise" and Conquering Another Year". Nylon. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kim, Na-yul (January 20, 2023). [팝's신곡]"'moonlight sunrise'"‥트와이스, 사랑의 설렘 담은 러블리 매력 [[Pop's New Song] "'Moonlight Sunrise'" ‥ TWICE, lovely charm filled with the excitement of love.]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Kwak, Hyun-soo (December 21, 2022). 트와이스, 내년 1월 선공개 영어 싱글→3월 새 미니 앨범 발매 [TWICE, Pre-Release English Single in January Next Year → New Mini Album Release in March]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Bowenbank, Starr (January 3, 2023). "TWICE Reveals Details for New English-Language Single 'Moonlight Sunrise': Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Park, Jae-hwan (January 14, 2023). "Twice, English single 'MOONLIGHT SUNRISE' group teaser". KBS Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023 – via Naver.
  6. ^ 트와이스 '문라이트 선라이즈' MV 티저…로맨틱 분위기 [Twice 'Moonlight Sunrise' MV Teaser... romantic atmosphere]. Newsis (in Korean). January 17, 2023. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  7. ^ Chan, Anna (March 2, 2023). "TWICE Shines in 'Moonlight Sunrise' Performance at Billboard's 2023 Women in Music". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  8. ^ "MOONLIGHT SUNRISE - TWICE (트와이스)". Melon. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Kim, Joshua Minsoo (January 20, 2023). "TWICE, 'MOONLIGHT SUNRISE'". NPR Music. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Divyansha Dongre (January 20, 2023). "Twice Unlock the Door to Their Heart in 'Moonlight Sunrise'". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "TWICE MOONLIGHT SUNRISE". Tunebat. January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  12. ^ Schmidt, Mackenzie (January 20, 2023). "TWICE Release Second English Single 'Moonlight Sunrise,' and It Has a Special Hidden Significance for Fans". People. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  13. ^ Ziwei, Puah (March 15, 2023). "Watch TWICE perform 'Moonlight Sunrise' on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'". NME. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  14. ^ Lee Hong-hyun (February 2023). "TWICE – Moonlight Sunrise". IZM (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  15. ^ Raj, Tanu I. (January 23, 2023). "On new single 'Moonlight Sunrise', TWICE embrace their evolved ethos with a sultry smoothness". NME. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  16. ^ Chan, Tim (March 10, 2023). "On 'Ready to Be,' TWICE Prove They're Ready to Win". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  17. ^ Frances, Lai (March 14, 2023). "TWICE's 'Ready To Be' Is An Ode To Love And Maturity". Uproxx. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  18. ^ "The 100 Best Songs of 2023". Rolling Stone. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  19. ^ Lee, Jae-hoon (January 31, 2023). 트와이스, '문라이트'로 빌보드 '핫100' 2번째 진입…K팝 걸그룹 세번째 [TWICE enters Billboard's 'Hot 100' for the second time with 'Moonlight'... The third K-pop girl group]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  20. ^ a b "MOONLIGHT SUNRISE (The Remixes) - EP". Apple Music. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  21. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 30 January 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1717. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 30, 2023. p. 9.
  22. ^ "Twice Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  23. ^ "Twice Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  24. ^ "Twice Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  25. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  26. ^ "Twice Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  27. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2023-02-06" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  28. ^ "Twice Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  29. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 30, 2023. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  30. ^ "Twice Chart History (Philippines Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  31. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 4 (20 – 26 Jan 2023)". RIAS. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  32. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 4 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  33. ^ "Twice Chart History (Taiwan Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  34. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  35. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  36. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  37. ^ "Twice Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  38. ^ "Twice Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  39. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – Twice – Moonlight Sunrise" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved July 25, 2023. Select 2023年6月 on the drop-down menu
  40. ^ Dongre, Divyansha (January 3, 2023). "Twice Announces Pre-Release English Single 'Moonlight Sunrise'". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  41. ^ Yoo, Jeong-min (November 17, 2023). 트와이스, '문라이트 선라이즈' 리믹스 버전 발표 '특별한 선물' [Twice announces remix version of 'Moonlight Sunrise']. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Retrieved November 17, 2023.