Upon release, "More & More" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised the group's vocals, the production and musical direction. Commercially, the song debuted at number four on the Gaon Digital Chart and at number three on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart. The track also charted at number two on the US World Digital Song Sales chart.
An accompanying Garden of Eden-themed music video for the song was released in conjunction with the release of the song and features the group dancing in a colourful forest. The video amassed 14.7 million views in 15 hours on YouTube. Twice promoted the song with televised live performances on various South Korean music programs including M! Countdown, Music Bank and Inkigayo.
Background and release
On April 28, 2020, Twice revealed the title and release date of the song during a press conference.[1][2] A music video trailer for the song was released on May 24, followed by a teaser on May 26 at midnight. The clips depict the group in fairy-themed outfits inside a forest performing the track's "intro" choreography.[3][4] "More & More" was released for streaming and digital download on June 1, 2020, by JYP Entertainment as the lead single of the group's ninth extended play of the same name.[5][6][7]
Twice's sixth Japanese maxi single, "Fanfare", was released on July 8, 2020, including the Japanese-language version of "More & More". This version was also included in the compilation#Twice3, released on September 16, 2020. The Japanese lyrics were written by Natsumi Watanabe.[8] During their online concert "Beyond LIVE - Twice: World in a Day", held on August 9, 2020, Twice announced their English-language version of "More & More", which was released on August 21, 2020.[9]
Composition
"More & More" is described as a rhythmic, summery midtempotropical house song.[5][10] It incorporates an EDM-heavy and synth-popinstrumental chorus, and a dubstep-influenced dance-break music at its bridge.[10][11] Based on characteristic "seasonal sounds," the song opens with "velvety vocals" that shifts towards a synth-based refrain.[5] In terms of musical notation, the song is composed in the key of F major at a moderate tempo of 107 beats per minute. It runs for three minutes and nineteen seconds.[12] The lyrics revolve around the intensifying longing and desire that a person in love endures.[5]
Critical reception
Kim Do-heon of IZM praised the song's production, melody and sound writing, "Tropical House song 'More & More', which has a neat and calm sound structure, has been polished neatly and well, removing a considerable number of lively adrenaline and busy sound samples and putting in as much sound as necessary."[13] Reviewing for Time, Kat Moon complimented the song's musical direction and dual concept, while also appreciating the group's vocals on the hook of the track.[10]
An accompanying music video for "More & More" was uploaded to JYP's official YouTube channel on June 1, 2020.[21][5] Upon release, the video went viral, garnering 14.7 million views in only 15 hours.[14] Filmed in Jeju Island, the video is choreography-heavy and inspired by the Garden of Eden.[10][22] The opening scene depicts the group in the backdrop of a paradise-like forest surrounded by "bright neon foliage", butterflies, and animals.[11] The clip is interspersed with scenes where the group is seen dancing, and reaching for apples or preparing to take a bite.[10] Having a "bohemian" and summer festival-like vibe, it also features the members dancing on a platform on a lake.[11] Besides the cheerful and vibrant atmosphere, the visual also includes shots of a serpent wrapped around a tree, a black cat, and tarantulas.[10]
Promotion
A few hours after the album's release, the group's first performance of "More & More" was broadcast live through Naver's V Live app and YouTube.[23] The group promoted the song on various South Korean music programs starting with Mnet's M! Countdown on June 4, 2020.[24] This was followed by performances on KBS's Music Bank and SBS's Inkigayo.[25][26] In their second week of promotion, Twice received their first music show trophy for "More & More" on MBC Music's Show Champion.[27] The group appeared as guests on June 7 episode of the variety show Running Man.[28]
^Kyung, Jimin (May 26, 2020). 트와이스, 신곡 'MORE & MORE' 인트로 안무 공개.."숲 속의 여신들" [TWICE unveils new song'MORE & MORE' with intro choreography.."Goddess in the forest"]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020 – via Naver.
^Baek, Ji-eun (June 1, 2020). [공식] 트와이스 'MORE & MORE', 국내외 차트 1위 '퍼펙트 올킬' [[Official] TWICE'MORE & MORE', No. 1 chart in Korea and abroad'Perfect All Kill']. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020 – via Naver.
^2020년 23주차 Download Chart [Gaon Download Chart- Week 23, 2020] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. June 11, 2020. Archived from the original on 2018-11-15. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
^2020년 23주차 Streaming Chart [Gaon Streaming Chart- Week 23, 2020] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. June 11, 2020. Archived from the original on 2017-03-10. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
^Yeo, Kyung Yeo (June 4, 2020). '엠카' 트와이스, 청량함 가득 'MORE&MORE' 컴백 무대[별별TV] ['M Countdown' TWICE,'MORE&MORE' comeback stage full of refreshment [Star TV]]. Star TV (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kwon, Hye-mi (June 5, 2020). '뮤직뱅크' 트와이스, 이제는 '퍼포먼스 퀸'…'MORE & MORE' 완벽 무대 ['Music Bank' TWICE, now'Performance Queen'... 'MORE & MORE' Perfect Stage]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020 – via Naver.
^Park, So-yeon (June 7, 2020). '인기가요' 트와이스, 'MORE & MORE' 컴백…역대급 퍼포먼스 ['Inkigayo' TWICE,'MORE & MORE' comeback… Historical performance]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020 – via Naver.
^Shim, Eon-Kyung (June 10, 2020). '쇼챔피언' 트와이스, 컴백과 동시에 1위 "원스 응원 감사..만날 날 고대해" [종합] ['Show Champion' TWICE, No. 1 at the same time as comeback "Thanks for cheering once.]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020 – via Naver.
^Choi, Hee-jae (June 10, 2020). ‘'쇼챔피언' 트와이스, 컴백 동시 1위 '다같이 활동할 수 있어 감사' [종합] ['Show Champion' TWICE, 1st in a comeback at the same time 'Thanks for being able to work together' [Comprehensive]]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020 – via Naver.
^Park, Soo-in (June 11, 2020). ‘엠카’ 트와이스, 몬스타엑스 꺾고 1위 “원스 보고싶어, 꼭 보자” ['M Countdown' Twice beat Monsta X, 1st place 'I want to see Once, I will see you']. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020 – via Naver.