Since their viral debut, IVE has been one of the top girl groups in the K-Pop world with instantly viral title tracks and TikTok challenges. Their discography is versatile and collectively unique to create a recognizable sound that their fans, DIVE, have grown to love. Their angelic vocals mixed with catchy beats that make everyone want to dance give IVE the power to entrance their listeners. This new EP has a similar sound to their last album ‘Switch’ with tracks that are similar to “Heya” and ‘Accendio” that have a heavier electric guitar presence. The album has an almost Avril Lavigne sound to the more upbeat tracks.
“Rebel Heart” was the pre-release track for this newest installment in IVE’s discography and it lends itself to being an anthem for the outcasts. The lyrics are a message to the people who criticize IVE that they can do or say whatever they want, but it won’t phase them. The lyrics then turn towards the listener, inviting them to come along with them to be rebels in their hearts together. Wonyoung’s pre-chorus lyrics push aside the words of people who have nothing better to do than hate them because those people would never be her and understand what she has gone through. The music video has all the
members in different situations, showing a progression of what they did to help themselves. The lyrics and MV climax with the last chorus changing to an invitation for the listener to join them in their rebellion for putting themselves before what everyone else thinks of them. This track has an easy-listening, but driving quality that can either be comforting or empowering depending on the mood.
The next track is titled “Flu” and it very clearly describes someone who is toxic and makes them feel sick, but this person is intoxicating to them. They keep hoping that it is all in their head and that this person will change, but as the lyrics progress, they realize that there is only sickness with this person. Liz’s flawless falsetto is heavily present in each post-chorus. She sings of coughing all night but is still dreams of this person, not caring that she is getting sick because of them. This track has an overall feel of intoxication from infatuation. They know this person is bad for them, but they keep thinking about them and returning to them.
The third track on this album starts with Wonyoung comforting the listener saying she will stay with them if they feel like they want to cry. The instrumental has a slight rock- ballad sound with a moderate electric guitar presence that is stable throughout. There is a filter over Wonyoung’s intro that gives a punk-alternative feel, similar to Hilary Duff or early Demi Lovato. The track continues the support for the listener saying the members will be there to hold them in their sadness and that it is ok to cry. The lyrics reiterate that who listened to the song is not alone and they will get through it together. Track no. 4 is called “Thank U” and it starts with a playful beat as Gaeul asks, “Do you sometimes feel empty?”, while reminiscing in memory with this person. The memory seems painful as the lyrics describe the one singing being left behind to sort through their pain alone. The instrumental for this track is stripped down to a steady beat and the steady harmony of a keyboard, making the vocals more prominent and powerful. Yujin and Liz take the chorus to thank themselves who went through that pain. They thank them because it made them who they are today and they wouldn’t be the same without that experience. Rei ends the song, singing in English, thanking herself for the pain, the trust and the growth. The lyrics of this song are empowering the listener to work through their pain and not wallow in it. To keep going and become a stronger, better version of yourself.
For the title track, the intro starts with a sample of a melody from “Tom’s Diner”, also from a song more well known to the current generation, “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy. the MV starts the members in an office setting, with long lines and business suits peppered throughout the building. Throughout the song, each of the members seems to be going against the status quo and doing their own thing as the lyrics describe them creating their own ‘attitude’ and who they want to be. High notes flow like honey throughout the pre-chorus and the outro, adding an angelic sound to the title. As the members dance, they each show their own form of attitude in their individual scenes.
The final track on this mini album takes a different turn than the previous entries, starting with an edgier rap sound from Yujin and Rei warning someone to watch out so they don’t get bit. With a name like “TKO”, the lyrics are riddled with common boxing phrases and advice, like tucking your chin and Muhammed Ali’s famous quite “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. Gaeul’s pre-chorus sounds dark and threatening with talk- singing/rap in the lower register, which is opposite of Yujin and Leeso’s higher, more melodic chorus. The slightly threatening feel of the lyrics can be traced throughout the
track as the members continue to warn the listener that they are “total knock outs” and that they should not be messed with.
This entire album feels like a solid IVE album with many of the elements they have consistently brought to the table since their debut. Their lyrics range from empowering to reminiscent to vaguely threatening with a touch of “attitude” in each of the tracks. They added a pop-punk sound to a few of the tracks thatfelt refreshing and nostalgic, adding to the depth of the album as a whole. ‘Empathy’ is another fantastic entry from IVE, combining self-empowerment and taking care of yourself. Give it a listen
Comments