Whereas first impressions are vital for any Okay-pop act – and ILLIT’s debut with ‘Magnetic’ was definitely one for the books – it’s usually the next releases that cement their endurance. In ILLIT’s case, although, it’s additionally a chance to point out the flexibility to develop past the inspirations (PinkPantheress, Odd Eye Circle and, to deal with the elephant within the room, fellow HYBE labelmates NewJeans) of their debut mini-album ‘Tremendous Actual Me’.
The quintet managed to captivate the world with the infectious, bubbly tracks of ‘Tremendous Actual Me’ – every telling aspects of a teen’s heartfelt ideas and on a regular basis feelings as they uncover their actual, true selves. This time, it appears they’ve progressed on their journey of youthful introspection, now shifting their focus outwards to a “you”, together with the sensible kaleidoscope of feelings that include growing a crush on somebody – particularly after pondering you’ve got all of it found out.
All nice affairs of the center start with that thrilling first look, and it’s this jubilant love-at-first-sight electrical energy that kicks off the ILLIT’s sophomore mission ‘I’ll Like You’. The aptly titled opening observe, which shares its title with the file, will instantly really feel acquainted to followers: a bouncy, shimmery sound that beats with a house-driven, electro-pop coronary heart. Right here, the group give themselves a a lot wanted pep speak (“Alright, alright / Okay, okay / I’m the daring kind / I can’t conceal something”) as they try to lastly declare the phrases “I’ll Like You”.
At first hear, the understated vibe of ‘Cherish (My Love)’ comes off as an fascinating selection for a lead single – however one which works surprisingly nicely for the group. Wonhee opens it with one hell of a gap line (“ what? Not even God can cease me / I’ll such as you”), as delicate, unhurried guitars and cheeky vocal repetitions swim gently over one another all through the tune. It’s a showcase that ILLIT can thrive even when manufacturing is stripped-down – the remainder of their discography is markedly busy – even when the end result isn’t fairly as sticky as ‘Magnetic’.
Whereas describing your affections as “My ugly pimple child” is definitely novel, the dream-pop observe ‘Pimple’ is unexciting at finest. Equally, the slick ‘IYKYK (If You Know You Know)’ is a middling foray into the saturated UK storage pattern, because the group playfully sing a few smile that feels as heat as sunshine even within the gloomiest of weathers. Each are ethereal and nice for consumption, however fast to vaporise as quickly as they’re over.
Buried below all that, like a diamond within the tough, is the hypomanic ‘Tick-Tack’. It’s a simple standout, and one which gleefully scratches the itch that’s been felt since fromis_9’s underappreciated 2018 single ‘Love Bomb’. The tune takes all of the 8-bit arcade solutions from ‘Tremendous Actual Me’ one step additional into an unapologetic chiptune-heavy fare, offering no courtesy to the easy-listening pattern in the easiest way attainable. A maniacal reinvention of the self within the pursuit of romance has by no means sounded this good.
The ‘I’ll Like You’ mini-album reaches for however falls in need of the magnetism of their debut, even when each releases are largely minimize from the identical sonic material. One factor the group’s choices by no means fail to do, although, is leverage ILLIT’s distinctive vocal texture – discovering that spot between cloyingly candy and youthful zest. If something, ‘I’ll Like You’ casts ‘Tremendous Actual Me’ in a unique mild, bringing newfound appreciation and revealing complexities beforehand hidden at the hours of darkness.
Particulars
- Report label: Belift Lab / HYBE
- Launch date: October 21, 2024
