I find it difficult to be a consistent fan of groups formed through the Produce/Planet series of survival shows. No matter how much I might like the members, the music often functions as an expanded version of the series’ concept missions. Groups don’t develop a signature sound, meaning one month they may release the best song ever and turn around a few months later with an awful sonic shift that neuters any excitement I might have had for their discography.

Such is the case with Japanese group INI. I’m fond of the members and they’ve released a few songs I’ve enjoyed. Their track record has been iffy lately, but we’ve hit a big high point with new single All 4 U. We’re about to enter the music business’s summer season, which tends to be soundtracked by my favorite styles of songs. All 4 U is tailor-made for summer, borrowing some of the best elements of late-2010s tropical house in a way that I really enjoy. Yes, the same blogger who used to complain endlessly about those “tropical” blips and bloops now finds them an endless source of nostalgia for a pre-pandemic world.

However, All 4 U is also a fantastic song of its own accord. The two part hook is instantly satisfying and the track has a near-perfect sense of build. I’m a sucker for a killer second verse, and it’s the segment most producers squander these days. All 4 U‘s second verse is pitch-perfect, from the way the rap interacts with the punctuation of percussion to the dramatic build back toward the chorus. All 4 U pulls off these moments with flair and excitement, keeping my interest all the way through. There’s such a dynamic blend of tension and release. This continues as we veer into an excellent bridge designed to wring the most from the group’s vocalists. All 4 U may not offer anything new, but it’s an excellent example of how to ace this style of song. That polish and verve make it an irresistible listen.

Grade: A-