Though they’ve started experimenting with their sound more and more, there’s a certain brand of song that feels like it belongs to IVE. Think I Am, Rebel Heart and even Love Dive. It’s a resounding pop style, almost Eurovision-esque in its bigness. It’s also a sound that brought K-pop Demon Hunters‘ Golden to such great chart heights, so it makes sense for IVE to reclaim it. New title track Blackhole does just that… with a few twists.
The most surprising thing about Blackhole (though it shouldn’t be that surprising given K-pop’s current trajectory) is that the bulk of its bombast occurs during its verses and pre-chorus. The percussion thunders here as the song climbs anthemic heights. Blackhole‘s sound also becomes more diverse as it goes. Its first verse is predictable from a structural standpoint, but from that point on the track is constantly in flux. It swats us here and there, playing with expectations as its sonic landscape grows in intensity. In a way, this works well because it sidesteps some of the obviousness that can often make this sound become too Disneyfied.
On the other hand, I wish Blackhole boasted a more exciting chorus at its center. The production bolsters its “La, la, la-la, love flame” refrain more and more as the song goes on, but it still feels like a missed opportunity. The pre-chorus ends up being a bolder musical hallmark for the track. However, I appreciate how Blackhole‘s chorus only repeats once in its original form, replaced the second time by a streamlined (yet somehow more exciting) version. Small structural shifts like this keep the track engaging and will likely play well in the long run. Overall, I can’t tell if this is a homerun or just a solid double, but it’s definitely my favorite IVE title track in awhile.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I’m with Nick on this one, I couldn’t tell from the first listens if it is a hot mess or hot hit. The fits and starts the song goes through, like they didn’t know how to stitch it together and instead rely on empty air and down beats.
But hey, at least they return to their signature chugga chugga beat in the chorus so once that kicks in all is well in the world again, this time with extra deep farty bass.
I am going to give it a mid 8 as well for now, and see how it sounds in the car.
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Wow we must be on complete opposite sides of the earth because that was the worst chorus I have heard in an IVE song ever. The production choices are interesting but completely fall flat during the chorus too.
The prechorus sounds like it is building up to something massive and what follows is super boring. WTF is a La la la Love flame?
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the slight improvement to tripleS’ la-la-la’s!
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This is a great song, actually. Although messy and confusing, I am fond of the strong and powerful IVE sound. Hooks can be a bit confusing but gets better with repeated lessons. I just wish that the producers would have better sonic judgment.
Love it though!!
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Definitely one of their better title tracks, reminds me a lot of their peak era.
Same rating as Nick
Also what are your thoughts on the new WJSN TT based on the MV teaser?
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It’s not a ballad, so that’s already good!
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sounds like a “I Am” ified version of “Eleven” lol
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They need to stop reheating I Am nachos because they can never replicate the greatness of that song. Also I think they need to bring Ryan back (I don’t care about his issues I just care about the music)
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yeah this and BANG BANG are their best songs in a while. the second verse is a chop… but thankfully the rest of the song is strong.
the album is a step-up from I’VE IVE. they definitely chose the correct singles. I liked all the group tracks (shout out to Fireworks and HOT COFFEE) and my favorite solos are Odd, Unreal and Force (the other three are unfortunately mid).
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Fireworks brings me back
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I feel this is really what IVE is about, these anthems. I really appreciate that they let the song is given a chance to build up and the final Eurovision-esque ending is so appreciated. Even though I loved Bang Bang I feel so many kpop songs nowadays are like the meme with all the blocks being fitted into the same square hole, when there are actually so many more possible ways to craft songs. I also wonder – is this the first main song that doesn’t in some way rely on “reforging” an old refrain or catch, instead going all in on their own bombastic sound?
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I really like Hush on the album, just more original.
BlackHole is textbook IVE, like I can hear Eleven, I can feel I AM and I can see AfterLike all over the video.
I know time goes faster in the Kpop world but are they already doing nostalgic tracks?
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First of all, I think it is a good song. Not great, not bad.
Second, I think they were going for a “Cosmic” or “Blue Valentine” vibe with this one.
Third, my main issue is that it sounds held back or muted, or both. Sometimes I read comments about a particular song’s pacing, and I think this one could’ve benefitted from a faster more energetic pacing in some parts. As it is, I’m left feeling as if I’m going somewhere but never getting there.
From the album, I enjoyed “Fireworks”
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I loveeeed it 10/10 no notes and the MV is fantastic as well my god 😍 the IVE girlies have done it again!!!
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I mean it’s an ok song. Despite me not being able to recall anything about song after multiple listens besides “look at me now”.
so there is a distinctively lack of a memorable hook.
even Bang Bang’s lackluster of a song had a stronger one.
which is a pity as all the bsides are extremely strong. With all the group b-side songs easily title track contender
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I’m so happy IVE decided to lean into a real sense of drama for both of their TTs in this album. This kind of dynamic really works for them, and I think are big reasons why I AM and Rebel Heart were so successful.
Because I love IVE, I’ll give it a short album breakdown. I’ll post a comment to myself when I get around to it. For now…
Blackhole: 8,9,9,8 = 8.5
The instrumental hard carriers it, but the vocal memories sound better to me every repeat listen, though they are less instantly catchy than BANG BANG. As alluded to earlier, the drama is fantastic here, even if I think it lacks the climax I was hoping for.
BANG BANG: 9,9,8,9 = 8.75 (big riser)
Great drama, catchy hooks, slightly overused BANG BANG hook. I did think I would tire of it quicker but I’ve only gotten hungrier for it. They’ve utilized their members really well in the different sections here.
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I can safely say the album sounds very Ive. I’m glad they have a good understanding of their sound even when playing with sounds and trying new things.
Hush: 9,8,8,8 = 8.25
This feels like a grab bag of elements from their past tts melded together into a song of its own.
Stuck in your head: 7,8,7,8 = 7.5
They’ve done a lot to make sure the song title is stuck in your head, haha. It’s a fine album filler.
Fireworks: 8,8,9,9 = 8.5
They are def trying to replicate the success of Rebel Heart with this one. The hooks aren’t as anthemic so it doesn’t work as well, but the song has plenty of dynamics and feels like a nice celebration. It does seem more like an album closer though.
Hot Coffee: 8,8,8,9 = 8.25
I like the Oh-ee-oh-ee-oh-oh. They play with that same idea often in the song with the ah-ah-ah-ah stuttering for example. It gives a nice signature to the song.
8: 8,8,8,8 = 8
I promise I didn’t just phone in the rating. It’s probably rated higher than it deserves though, and my Ive bias is holding it up.
Odd: 8,8,7,9 = 8
I was actually waiting for something softer by this point in the album, so the verses especially were really nice. I don’t think the centerpiece does enough, although the moment at the end with the pulled back instrumental was nice.
Super ICY: 7,7,8,8 = 7.5
I don’t like how the instrumental mirrors the melody so much in this one. A little is fine, but this was a little much.
Unreal: 8,8,8,9 = 8.25
I like the old school feel of this one. Sometimes you can just go all out for grocery store pop, and it’s ok. Lots of cuteness in this, I want to play it when I clean the house and sing into a feather duster.
Ran out of time, last two coming sometime soon.
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does it reach the heights of ive’s best songs like I AM? no, but is it good? YES!
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I can appreciate the powerful sound, but other than that, nothing really stands out as especially good. At the same time, there’s nothing particularly bad about it either. I feel like IVE suits more classic, straightforward songs better than quirky or experimental ones, and this release made me realize that.
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Sounds bland. The song doesn’t go anywhere
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I enjoyed the song and the rest of the album.
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i LOVEEE powerful dramatic ive, i got chills multiple times listening to this from the vocal moments alone. but i think between the underdeveloped chorus and the song structure it doesnt really feel..complete? imo if you cut out the second verse this song would be more fitting as a ‘best of’ album intro or concert opener, something to get you hyped before they play their hits. i could definitely see them performing it this way at end of the year award shows, showcases, etc
overall i’m happy with it, i think ive is really good for dual title tracks where theres something for everyone. post kitsch/i am i’ve heavily preferred one single over the other but this is a pretty even split for me
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High expectations met with disappointment. Oh IVE… reheating your serve for the fourth time you are becoming Momoland. A great prechorus but the chorus is pretty bad and repetitive, maybe it needs more listens.
Also the M/V was worse quality then I thought too.. lots of large scale sets but so many close up shots. I got Bang Bang more than this… Love the girls but the company is scrambling
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This is LIGHTYEARS better than BANG BANG in my opinion, and yes it does sound like a great extension of IVE’s core sound. Side note, EXO’s Crown has grown on me even more even though I thought it was going to become repetitive (it just sounds so different than what i’m used to hearing in big choruses) overall, this song is a very solid 8.5 as well.
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I’m not crazy about this particular song formula, but the album seems strong overall! 🥳
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the group tracks are mostly hits, while the solos are much more miss than hit.
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Both title tracks are good and did their job of hooking me to the album. The contents of the album on the other hand, Christ.
Solo tracks alone, spoilers, there’s a 6 7 joke in Wonyoung’s track, and somehow the Demjointz track is the best one (Yujin’s). The actual BSides are a mixed bag. Hush is my favorite, I am surprisingly not into Fireworks at all, and the other two are exactly what you expect of them, they are OK.
Revive+ is an EP surrounded by either lackluster or full on poor solo tracks. Save the time, Nick.
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I love how they do an A refrain then B refrain then both A and B. I wish more songs played with hooks in this way insead of just not having a hook it’s part of why “I got a boy” feels so fresh. Also love the fact that you can tell it’s on the same album as ‘bang bang’. I fear it may be eclipse by their preexisting hits but im glad it exist! Definitely gonna give the album a listen
a note on the video, it wasn’t what I expected. Just based on the title alone I expected a more sci fi inspired visual, but the girls gave us runway fierce diva award show performance. Sure there was eventually a blackhole (?) but you know what I’m trying to say
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I like the song starting from 1:12. It’s not that I do not like the first part, and honestly the first part of the song lead to the bombast part after 1:12. But the arrangement after it just in a sweet spot for me, where I could hear they’re layering more and more instrument at the back.
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i don’t usually put my opinion on songs here since i feel a bit self conscious about doing it but i guess that’s what the comment section is for (but it’ll be a long post):
blackhole – comprised of a lot of elements i like, kinda weird when combined but it’s growing on me, better than their recent title tracks
bang bang – not at all my usual taste in music but i enjoy it quite a bit all things considered
hush – i like the production a lot and the prechorus
stuck in your head – really not my thing at all but unoffensive
fireworks – reminds me of i am, bit more generic but i enjoy the melody especially the chorus
hot coffee – i love the slight hyperpoppy feel especially in the post chorus, and really like the oeyoeyo (maybe fav song on album)
8 – not a fan but ive heard songs do very similar things and pull it off much worse
odd – i enjoy the production and really like her voice in the chorus super icy – similar feelings as stuck in my head but more interesting production i guess
unreal – really pretty song even if a bit generic, i love the melody in the prechorus and chorus
in your heart – not a massive fan but i like the little hyperpoppy sounds
force – i really dont like the production in the verses, she’s a good singer though and i like the prechorus and chorus (somehow reminds me of early 2010s music)
overall i think this album was better than most albums ive heard from kpop in the past few years
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probs their best tt in a while for me. i haven’t liked an ive tt since i am, so this is almost a return to form. bang bang grew on me a lot. the only thing i don’t like is the first line – it sounds like a nursery rhyme or some iconic pop song but i can’t think of what… the production on this is the main star. supernova but ive ngl.
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It’s reheated fare, but good fare nevertheless. The verses are definitely better and the chorus is a letdown. However, this is a good song overall.
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Bang Bang really grows on me. I can say it’s an 8.75 song for me now.
I saw some people say it’s bland or generic, but I disagree. Maybe because I never expect anything inventive from artists in general? I personally think they’re aiming for something new and experimental with this song. I think I really like it.
My ratings would be 8.5 as well.
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