IVE is back and has dropped an EP that will blow your mind. IVE is a bright, girly-pop group from Starship Entertainment that releases upbeat dance tracks. Their music is always so much fun to listen to, and their new EP, IVE EMPATHY, is precisely that. There are six songs on the EP, each with such a unique sound. The songs are so good and show the range of the IVE members. 

IVE EMPATHY - EP Tracklist: 

1. “REBEL HEART” 

2. “FLU” 

3. “You Wanna Cry” 

4. “Thank U” 

5. “ATTITUDE” 

6. “TKO” 

The album starts with a prerelease that has already set the EP off with a bang. “REBEL HEART” is a hard-hitting rock track that makes you feel like a true rebel. The number of times you’ll be screaming “Rebels in our heart” will prepare you to take the world by storm. This song is not only fun, but it is empowering. The girls really capture that uplifting spirit in this song. With lyrics like, “Love me, hate me. You will never be, never be, never be me,” and “Try me, I’ll break free. You will never be, never be, never be me,” will have you feeling so good about yourself and ready for the day. This song really sets the tone of the album, and you will be excited for the following five songs.

The next song, “FLU,” is an adorable dance track that makes you want to sway your hips and move your arms in the air. “FLU” is mainly sung in falsetto and showcases the range of the members’ vocals. The song is very upbeat but mellow at the same time. It’s a song you can dance to or lay back and chill to. 

While listening to this song, I kept thinking, “Hm, this sounds familiar,” and now I know why. It sounds like the iconic song by Whitney Houston, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Keeping to that exact upbeat nature, “You Wanna Cry” has a mixture of pop and rock. The strums of the electric guitar plus the drums make you want to jump around your room and scream the lyrics. The song is so much fun; I can picture people dancing to it already. 

“Thank U” oh, “Thank U.” This is the fourth song on the EP, and it’s our ballad. If you know me, you know I love ballads. Honestly, thank you IVE, because this song is so good. “Thank U” has a magical sound. It is lighthearted but still has rock/R&B elements to it that make it the perfect breakup song. Something that stood out to me was the way the members sang. It’s siren-like, and they harmonize and blend so easily that it sounds like one collective voice. It’s such a great song, and it instantly became one of my favorites. 

Surprisingly, the next song on the EP is the title track. I’ve seen this album’s structure a few times in K-Pop. The song is super upbeat and a track you will want to dance to. Like previous songs, “ATTITUDE” is sung with a falsetto tone throughout the song. “Da da da da. Da da da da,” has been in my head all day long. Also, “Who is that girl? She’s so hot,” and, “We look so good, we’re so hot.” The song is so addictive, and you can’t help but rewind it so you can hear it again. Some lines will stand out to you (for example, the Dress to Impress line. I instantly caught on; it is a nice addition to the song).

The song is more techno and groovy, so you would expect a colorful music video; however, it’s the opposite, and I’m not opposed to it. The music video shows the girl in grey, blue, white, and black clothing. It takes place in an office where the girls dance and go against the grain. The girls really show their attitudes. “ATTITUDE” is an excellent song with a great music video. 

The last song on the album is “TKO.” Typically, the last song is most likely a ballad on albums, but IVE decided to end the EP on a high note. “TKO” is a track full of energy. The beat is hard-hitting, and the members attack the beat with so much force. “So hot, but the ice so cold. Let them know TKO. La, la, la, la, la.” It’s such a great song and immediately got added to my playlist. 

This EP is so good. The girls did a fantastic job; each song is so much fun to listen to. So, check out IVE EMPATHY - EP for a fun time. 

“ATTITUDE” TITLE TRACK SCORE: 8/10

“ATTITUDE” MUSIC VIDEO SCORE: 8/10

IVE EMPATHY - EP ALBUM SCORE: 8.5/10 

Total Score: 8.2/10

Edited by Cara Musashi