Seventeen years since their debut, FTIsland are set to release a new album next month. Now a trio, the guys have become one of K-pop’s longest running acts, and pre-release Burn It proves they still have plenty of gas left in the tank.

As far as I can tell, this song comes as a surprise. I definitely wasn’t expecting any new music until July. But as a kickoff to promotions, Burn It‘s intense sound delivers a satisfying battle cry. The song vacillates between softer — though menacing — verses and a powerful, cathartic chorus. This push and pull compliments both segments, offering plenty of drama. Frontman Lee Honggi sounds great, though that’s no big surprise. He boasts one of K-pop’s most recognizable voices and he’s able to explore multiple facets of his vocal character throughout this track.

Burn It is short and sweet, running under three minutes without any fat to trim. I’m most impressed by its pounding, anthemic hook, which feels like a call to arms. It’s always nice to hear a K-pop veteran return and show their juniors how it’s done.

Grade: B