As their career progresses, XG have moved between two major modes: hip-hop and club music. Often, there are elements of both in their music, but songs like Something Ain’t Right and New Dance leaned heavily into melodic house influences. New single IYKYK builds upon this approach, adding smooth R&B-style vocals that give it a sleek, airy appeal.
This song is a bit more subdued than past efforts, but there’s enough going on within the production to make its more languid touches work. IYKYK kicks off with its most addictive hook — a singsong vocal riff that recalls 90’s dance music in the best way. I would have used this element even more heavily throughout, as it offers an engaging through line that gives the track focus. Thankfully, the riff returns for IYKYK‘s engaging chorus, painted with a gorgeous blend of vocals that add depth and texture to the arrangement.
IYKYK never builds toward any knockout moment (though its colorful second verse rap comes close), but its groove consistently hits all the pleasure centers. In a market crowded with music trying to sound like the late-90’s and early-2000’s, this hits those marks but feels modern enough to stand on its own. It may be their best single yet.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I thought that Something Ain’t Right was their best🥹
Also there is a spelling mistake in the first paragraph(XY Instead of XG🥹)
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Arrghhh! I get those two group names confused all the time. Thanks for catching that!
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its very cute. I like it
8.75/10 for me (8, 9, 9, 9)
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Ever since Mascara and then Shooting Star/Left Right, I’ve had a soft spot for this group. I’m not sure if this one is quite at those levels, but it’s immediately appealing.
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Quite cute. Has a nice little groove to it.
8.25 (8, 9, 8, 8) for me.
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It sounds like New Jeans with a bit more verve doing a high street shop song. Its fine, basic girl group fare these days.
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I also thought of New Jeans immediately. What are your thoughts on the “we ate like a dinner plate” English lyric..?
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Oh I wasn’t listening much to the lyrics because on balance they seemed pretty vapid. So I looked them up. Helpfully, the lyric website starts with
[Intro]
Da-da, da-da-da-da, da-da
Da-da, da-da-da-da, da-da
Da-da, da-da-da-da, da-da
Da-da
Da-da, da-da-da-da, da-da
Da-da, da-da-da-da, da-da
Da-da, da-da-da-da, da-da
Da-da
Thanks, lyrics website!
Back to the line in question:
We make it levitate
Fly through the interstate
‘Cause we go up, up, up
Yeah, we elevate
And we ate like a dinner plate, mmm
Well, at least they rhyme, though the rhyme is clumsy and forced. Clearly they made of list of words that end in -ate and tried to shove them all together, and stopped thinking about it as soon as they finished with something they thought was plausible. There is also no meter to any of the lines, just crammed together by rapping and skipping fast enough through the lines so hopefully no one notices, much.
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Thank you for this comprehensive review u.u Yes, lack of meter or rhythm always bothers me to no end!
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Coincidentally, our friends at 12tone just released another whole video about meter and such in lyrics.
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A better “ends in -ate” list song is this oldie but goodie from INXS
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Maybe the songwriters for IYKYK should’ ve listened to this song for inspiration!
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damn, I love this. Definitely their best single. I might have to stan if they continue this trajectory. They can leave the hip hop behind
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I really admire XG. Their production quality is insane- they debuted with very average and kind of bland fair, and I honestly at the time thought not much would come from them. I am so happy to be wrong. Their creative expression and their music has evolved so much since them, they are genuinely one of the most intriguing girl groups currently out there to me. I don’t like all of their songs, but when I like it I like it- this one is a solid hit for me.
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The minute I heard this, it reminded me of M-Flo’s music and behold it was a sample from Prism. Great stuff though.
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This group is such a standout in terms of concept, and I really appreciate the balls-to-the-wall approach when it comes to their styling. Musically they match that unique concept, which is also impressive. This one is less my style than Something Ain’t Right, but it’s pretty in its own way.
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XG has really become a favorite group of mine since last year, I was really looking forward to this release. Since “Something Ain’t Right” was also dance track, I’m wondering if their upcoming EP will mostly have this type of sound.
This song is also really nice, the chorus does not feel as big as “Something Ain’t Right” but it is still catchy. Despite them jumping into the “subdued” trend that’s so popular in music lately, they kept their vocals strong and kind of “in your face.” The second verse also feels really explosive and energetic.
I find Cocona’s delivery starting at 1:45 really pleasant to the ear lol, I don’t know how to describe the stylistic choice she made for this sound but it feels really good to hear hahah.
10/10 to me, I’m a fan.
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