IVE SWITCH – Casual Listener’s Review

Overview

In this long awaited EP by IVE, they take their powerful dance-oriented sound to brand new heights.

Join me as I do a laid-back dive (no pun here) into these tracks (in order) after about an hour of listening, researching and talking to other fans on the IVE Discord about them. HEADPHONE LISTENING RECOMMENDED!

IVE Discord: https://discord.gg/ive

Track 1: 아이브 ‘해야 (HEYA)’

The first song as well as title track on this EP. I had very high expectations for this one, however, not the reason people may think. Yes this one was advertised the most, but it also features a notable writing credit in Dem Jointz. While I don’t have a clear answer to what this song’s sample is (if any), Genius says it sample No Diggity by Blackstreet (though one source also told me it samples Grandma Hands by Bill Withers).

Known in the K-Pop community for doing a handful of songs for groups like NCT 127, and lots of hip-hop songs as well, Dem Jointz definitely shows his influence in here with a beat that is perfectly balanced between flow and intensity.

For fans of most 3rd/4th generation K-Pop girl groups like myself, I personally felt reminded of a lot of ITZY, Aespa and NMIXX in this song. Of course I have to mention the similarities to some GOT the beat songs since Dem Jointz also helped write those too.

Overall, this song alone helps to solidify and reinforce IVE’s dominance in 4th generation K-Pop, while also introducing some sounds we have not really experienced from IVE yet.

Track 2: Accendio

I was just itching to write about this one. Many people have said this is the best song on the entire EP and honestly I can’t blame them at all.

From the vocals, the instrumentals, the lyrics, the build-ups, the drop, everything is just- goodness gracious…

When I first listened, I wanted the high-pitched synth at the beginning (refer to this trailer and you’ll know what I’m talking about) to be used more in parts such as the chorus. But after a few more listens, the extremely energetic chorus is everything one needs to get any party started. It just feels so majestic and Godlike, and then it becomes intergalactic like I’m traveling from planet-to-planet at speeds faster than light.

My favorite part though has to go to the first refrain, it just feels so magical. Tell me why I get certain anime opening vibes. Even if you’re not a fan of IVE, I think this track can already contend for Top 5 in their entire discography. Love this song, case closed.

Track 3: Blue Heart

Once I saw Wonyoung in the writing credits, I knew this one was gonna be good.

The soft vocals with the very fast-paced heart-racey beat gives a lot of teenage hopeless romantic song vibes (reminds me of NewJeans particularly).

The backing vocals feel very charming, and overall, it just makes your day better. Definitely a prime example of how this album feels like IVE doubling-down on what they’re best at, but applying it to new sounds.

Track 4: Ice Queen

They could not have chosen a better title for this song, it’s so ROYAL (pun intended) that I just feel like taking a knee when it comes on.

I get a lot of BLACKPINK vibes from this song too.

Some say this song gives Hypnosis vibes, which I completely agree with!

Track 5: WOW

Tell me why I get nostalgic vibes from this song, like it was made in the 2010’s or something.

Instrumentally, it feels like a softer but more heartfelt version of Blue Heart. Yujin’s vocals especially make me kind of emotional.

If it were to remind me of specific artists, I feel a bit of Jeon Somi in it. And as for non K-Pop artists, I can’t really pinpoint (don’t remember much from my childhood honestly) but definitely reminds me music from certain teenage pop star shows.

Track 6: RESET

The final track of this beautiful EP helps to relax you after an upbeat rollercoaster of emotions.

It definitely reminds me and many others of Le Sserafim, more specifically Smart.

Overall, a wonderful song that you can actually study to maybe?