#not to doompost about itzy but...

[struggle-but-its-all-ocean-floor]

Part 1/? of me catching up on kpop reviews... There's something coming out every day, I have to hurry.

Anyway, let's start with Itzy.

First, Algorithm:

Algorithm - it's a pretty good song, very Itzy. Love the MV a lot, and the choreo is nice. 8.5/10

No Biggie - I actually like this song more. I like the chorus a lot, and how Ryujin says "Like you always say, no biggie". 9/10

Overall, it's a strong EP. Itzy's weaker tracks are usually the bsides on their longer albums. These songs are very Itzy, and would do better than their last Korean releases if they weren't in Japanese. People like refreshing and preppy (but not childish like Sneakers, though that song is a bop, idc) more than girl crush or whatever Untouchable is.

Their Ringo album came out last year, but I don't remember talking about it so:

Ringo - fun, strong track, very Japanese Itzy. I like kpop Japanese songs - I like how upbeat and busy the instrumentals always are; the songs tend to be very exciting and in your face. The chorus "Ringo, ringo, ringo" is almost too much, but the song is a bop. 9/10

Sugar-holic - It's pretty. I like the verse "Take it, take it slow, take it easy" because "easy" sounds like "Itzy". 7.7/10

Playlist - not bad, but kind of annoying. 7/10

Style - okay song, sounds very dated. 7/10

Voltage - like it, especially the chorus. 9/10

Spice - cute song, slightly annoying. 7.5/10

Blah Blah Blah - nice song, I like Lia's vocals here. 8.5/10

Can't tie me down - this song is my style, love the bridge ("I burn in the black fire") but every single one of these songs would be much improved with better vocals/vocal tones. 9/10

I think had already reviewed all the songs after Style, but it made sense to look at them again.

The thing with Itzy, and why I personally can't see them suddenly having a moment, is because they don't sound trendy at all - their songs, from their vocal tones (high pitched and very in your face, except for Lia) to the instrumentals (too hyper pop), their styling (boring, dated, has been the same in years), choreos (good, but no point moves, they don't stand out, aren't memorable, don't highlight their skills), their MVs (very average and conventional). Listening to Itzy feels like travelling back to 2019. And since 2019, we've gone through a pandemic, so 2019 might as well be 2010, and Itzy in particular are more 2010 than 2019. Everything about them is extremely outdated. The girls might has well be 40 instead of 20.

I know Itzy has a distinct style, but they need better production and a different creative direction. And even then, I think the members' voices are too loud and shrill, with the exception of Lia. Idols these days have softer vocals. Itzy's vocals have always been a weakness of theirs, but now they stand out even more against newer groups. Itzy have also lost a lot of what made them stand out, thus struggling even more getting people's attention. They used to be known for their dancing, but there are other groups now, like LSFR, with a strong dance line and way more appealing choreos and songs. Aespa, for example, are weaker dancers than Itzy but their choreos are way better and actually stand out. Itzy were also known for live vocals, on top of energetic choreos, but you have Stayc and NMIXX, for example, who sing live too and have better vocals. IVE sings live just as well as Itzy..

JYPE in general needs to get with the times. Twice don't change much either, but they're Twice, so it works way better for them. Same with SKZ.