It’s interesting to consider where IMP. would be if they had stuck with the agency-that-will-soon-not-be-called-Johnny’s. They’d likely have years to go before debut, spending their weeks performing on The Shounen Club as juniors instead. But just months after joining the newly-formed TOBE, they’re on their third single with a physical release scheduled for November. This has been a smart, unyielding rollout: three interconnected music videos spread weeks apart to promote a trio of diverse songs. Cruisin’ and IMP. led the charge and new track SWITCHing picks up the torch today.

You can hear agency-head Hideaki Takizawa all over these tracks, with each feeling like a descendent of material given to acts like Snow Man and Kis-My-Ft2. In particular, the Snow Man vibes are strong with SWITCHing. It’s a track designed to showcase dance. Because of this, the melodies aren’t as engaging as either of its predecessors, and I wish the chorus would have opted for something more structurally satisfying.

Still, there’s plenty to like here. SWITCHing has a goofy charm that works for the group, and its striking pre-choruses spotlight a series of surprisingly hearty vocals. The production chugs along with energy and flair, never embarrassed by its own ungainliness. The instrumental occasionally flirts with K-pop-style drops and breakdowns, but ends up surrendering to its sillier instincts. That’s a wise choice, and one that disarms the listener enough to make its underdeveloped hooks stick.

Grade: B