IVE Redefines What It Means to Be a Hero in “Looks Can Kill”
Photo: IVE Official X
After completing their second world tour, IVE is back with an action-packed concept and an EP that packs a punch. Released on October 26, Looks Can Kill anchors itself in the idea that power comes from within. Its six tracks come with a variety of sounds that play to IVE’s strengths.
Looks Can Kill Tracklist:
“Looks Can Kill”
“Mirror Mirror”
“SNAKESKIN”
“CRUMBS”
“Girls Girls Girls”
“Glow Motion”
The Title Track: “Looks Can Kill”
Pre-released on October 19, “Looks Can Kill” gives the message that anyone can be a superhero. IVE assembles as a superhero squad with Yujin as Captain Purple, Gaeul as Wonder Green, Rei as Jean Yellow, Wonyoung as Bat Pink, Liz as Super Blue, and Leeseo as Spider Red. However, they prove that no one actually needs real superpowers, because being themselves is their greatest strength. This electro-pop track builds self-confidence through an onomatopoeic da-da-da— reminiscent of “ATTITUDE”— that rings throughout. Though the “looks can kill, we’re so lethal” hook could use a little more oomph in delivery, the rest of the chorus carries the song on the strength of its addictive hook.
The music video features a behind-the-scenes, meta look at making a visual-effects-heavy action production. Though celebrities look amazing on screen, it acknowledges the enormous amount of work that goes into making the full product stunning. Idols aren’t superhuman; they have large teams behind them that are dedicated to making sure that audiences only see a flawless final product.
The Powered-Up B-Sides
“Mirror Mirror” begins the Looks Can Kill EP with a haunting classical tune. Sampling Mozart’s “Violin Sonata in E Minor,” “Mirror Mirror” comes off like a dark fairytale. The distortion of usually beautiful classical chords gives the song an eerie edge while keeping its original melancholic elegance. The tonal shift from “Looks Can Kill” seems odd at first, but “Mirror Mirror” honestly primes listeners well for “SNAKESKIN,” another darker tune from IVE. Switching from classical to EDM, “SNAKESKIN” lays low in pitch and strikes with a strong bass beat. Its true bite comes with the quickened tempo change in its later half, which leans into the EDM elements at full force.
With another change in genre, “CRUMBS” takes on dance-pop. Though the use of “leave no crumbs,” “eat,” “slay,” and “queen”—an example of AAVE overuse in K-Pop—seems unnecessary, “CRUMBS” relays its intended message of confidence with bright synths and catchy raps. Even if Gaeul and Liz co-wrote the track with four other songwriters, the lyrics might be too much for some listeners to fully immerse themselves into the song. Minimal knowledge of Korean often makes it easy to overlook awkward lyrics, but the English phrasing here is difficult to ignore. Viewing “CRUMBS” as a free-spirited, quirky dance piece fits it best.
The following B-side, “Girls Girls Girls,” also borrows from the pop-dance genre. “Girls Girls Girls” is the only song that failed to grab me upon a first listen: not much about it stands out creatively. “Glow Motion” completes Looks Can Kill with unexpected contributions from Zara Larsson and the production team off her Midnight Sun album: Margo XS (Margo Wildman) and Cecile Believe (Caila Thompson-Hannant). Given the sound of “Glow Motion,” the song was likely intended to appear on the Swedish singer’s album. The breathy vocals and ethereal atmosphere of this pop song sound heavenly. Regardless of the final singer assigned to the song, “Glow Motion” was always meant to take listeners’ breath away.
The Verdict: One of IVE’s Best EPs
IVE already came out with a strong release in their second full album, REVIVE+, from February, but they delivered one of their best collections through Looks Can Kill. Though not every track gave a knock-out impression, the highs greatly outweighed the lows to the point where the overall experience felt thoroughly enjoyable. Looks Can Kill impresses both as a visual concept and as a musical package.