In a serious rebrand, (G)I-DLE have renamed themselves “i-dle.” This comes on the heels of their contract renewal with Dice Leisure and guarantees to usher in a brand new period for his or her music. The group has been remarkably widespread since their debut in 2018, with their singles usually defining tendencies of the period. Their discography tends to be extra “miss” than “hit” for me, however I’m at all times curious to listen to what they’ll provide you with subsequent.
New single Girlfriend leans additional right into a pop/rock sound than most of their materials and it’s at its finest when absolutely embracing that power. This style is notoriously unfussy, thriving on easy catharsis laced with loads of perspective. i-dle definitely have the “perspective” half down and ensure to drive dwelling their badass nature with repeated curse phrases within the music’s lyrics. It’s greater than slightly foolish, however I at all times discover it a bit cringy when idol teams attempt to be “unhealthy” in such apparent methods.
Musically, Girlfriend exhibits potential for a enjoyable, tongue-in-cheek approach ahead. I like its extra melodic items, from the anthemic pre-chorus to the rollicking second half every verse. These moments provide a driving power that ought to have underlined the whole music. Compared, the refrain feels a bit undercooked, aiming for sing-along brattiness however by no means withdrawing in the best way I’d hope. These shiny centerpieces are contrasted by a extra minimalist sound throughout Girlfriend‘s rapped/spoken segments. This cut up character robs the monitor of its momentum, and with a brief working time there’s no actual alternative for the music to steamroll its listeners in submission. As a rule, it looks like a temper board for a greater comeback but to come back.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-