B-Sides: (G)I-DLE’s I Trilogy Picks (Anniversary Special)
Happy May!
It is a month for every fan of (G)I-DLE to celebrate as the group is finally turning two this year. After debuting in 2018, the sextet has always put their fans in awe at the confidence and variety the members hold. It is indeed the group’s experimental music and distinguished theories that draw the fans’ attention and make them stay unique in the industry.
On behalf of the group’s second anniversary, we decided to suggest a few of our favorites from the I series EPs.
“What’s Your Name”
The song from their second mini-album I Made is a pretty pop song for listeners to get hooked on instantly. The lyrics focus on the aftermath of a break-up where the girl decides to move on, erasing all those pretty memories. With rich instrumentals complementing the singers, the track’s style can be compared to their single “LATATA.” Alongside Soyeon and Minnie’s catchy chorus, Yuqi grabs the listener’s attention with her soaring rap verses. If the song is to land in your playlist, it is sure to make you feel confident because of the bold music style and vocals.
“Put It Straight”
“Put It Straight” is one of the popular b-sides of the group, as the night version of the track was performed for the reality show Queendom. In contrast to most of the group’s b-sides, the song ventures into a spooky tone where the members get to showcase their low and soaring vocals. The song sings about the uncertainty of staying in an unstable relationship. “Can’t you love me now?” questions Soyeon while Soojin sings, “Just tell me everything, honestly. That’s what changed, isn’t it?,” wanting to get to the true state of the relationship. The track is indeed a gem in the album, as it sounds richer not because of a strong instrumental backup but for its distinct tune and verses to explore the listener’s eardrums.
“$$$”
“$$$,” an urban pop song from the group’s first mini-album I Am, is a total girl power song that emphasizes on being different and bold to stand out from the rest of the crowd. The song is also called “Dollar” or “Dala,” the Korean replacement for different. “If you want me, bring it to me, billion dollars,” sings the chorus as the girls show off their swagger style, demanding the respect they need for being different. No money suffices the value of an individual with quality traits and that is exactly what the members would love to say. And while tuning to the track, we can gain that confidence.
“Maze”
With a brief instrumental introduction, “Maze” opens up as an upbeat electro pop track. The song compares the act of falling in love to being caught in a maze, where everything is dark and suspicious. The members neither want to come out of the maze nor stay inside, as they are still trying to find answers. But in the final stanza, the notion changes as the lover is being caught up in the protagonist’s maze. After all, love is all about the push and pulls, which is pretty much expressed in the track in a cheeky way.
“Luv U”
“Luv U” from the group’s latest mini-album I Trust sings about being sensually attracted towards a lover. The song might sound more familiar with a blend of well-known tunes, as the initial Minnie verse emits the style of the group’s b-side,“Put It Straight” while the rising pre-chorus kind of resembles the pre-chorus of BLACKPINK’s single “Playing with Fire.” On the other hand, the members excel with their vocals and rap lines, making the track as one among the favorites in the album. Minnie’s whispers of “I Luv you” before the chorus is indeed the hook of the track as it sends shivers every time and grabs the listener’s attention instantly.
“Maybe”
“Maybe” is an enchanting song that addresses the inner conflict of staying in a relationship despite it being an unfruitful one. “Don’t worry babe. I love you babe. I’ll be by your side,” sings Minnie in a pre-chorus while Soyeon sings, “Maybe, I will be by your side. Maybe, I’ll trust you,” hesitating to let go of the relationship. The lines also contemplate the entire album’s theme as it deals with the issue of trust. As for the music, the song sounds rich, bringing in different variables and patterns making the listeners curious.
“Oh My God” (English Version)
The English version of the group’s latest single should be given a special mention as the members have invested much effort in bringing out the same emotion and aura in their verses. The lyrics are very much similar to the Korean version of the song and do sound incredibly good in English, especially in the ears of an international fan. Though many prefer the original version more than the English one, the song is indeed brought out by the artists’ hard work and is definitely worth listening to.
Which B-side track was your favorite from the list? Let us know in the comments!
On behalf of The Kraze, we wish (G)I-DLE a happy anniversary! We hope they reach greater heights!
Lyrics translation: colorcodedlyrics.com