CIX is the latest and greatest to release a promo single, with the full version of the music video being available only to those who’ve downloaded the UNIVERSE app—an all-in-one platform for connecting with your idols. Co-produced by Minit and PENTAGON's Hui, "TESSERACT" brings an edge not yet heard from CIX, and it's enough to whet your appetite for their comeback promised for later this month.

As a person who doesn't have the UNIVERSE app, I was able to listen to it in full on Spotify, but I haven't seen the full video. From what can be seen in the half-video offered on YouTube, it delves into a bit of a grittier concept complementary to the dance and rock influences of the song itself. The song starts out fairly conventional, with a smooth vocal build-up to the chorus until the guitar drops in which is frankly, a fun surprise!

The chorus dives into a loud, powerful jam with both guitar and percussion overpowering even the chant-like vocals—but while the guitar was what pulled me in the first chorus, by the second one, it’s almost distracting in its repetition. The percussion is where “TESSERACT” really shines, especially during the bridge to the final chorus which features vocals by Yonghee and Seunghun backed by a snare drum. While that part may simply be personal preference, I get the feeling this is but the tip of the iceberg for this style of CIX regardless.

If this is what CIX has in store for us next, I look forward to seeing how they’ll expand on it.