Close Your Eyes had a banner 2025, though I didn’t connect with their most recent album as strongly as their first two. This is despite their movement into a more dance-oriented style, which would usually appeal to me. I guess I prefer when a group takes time to establish a signature sound before experimenting with new genres. Digital single Pose finds a middle ground within their oeuvre, offering a groovy r&b dance energy.

Pose gives us no time to orient ourselves, jumping right into the first verse without intro. The instrumental sounds like the best of the early 2000s, somehow evoking both The Neptunes and Timbaland at the same time. These touchstones have been all over K-pop for years now, so in this way Pose feels a bit behind the trends. However, its straightforward nature and right-to-the-point intensity feels refreshing in a world where tracks like this often pull you out of the experience by shifting tempo and energy. Pose is not some grand, ambitious statement, but it might be subtly addictive.

That “might be” is doing heavy lifting. On the first few listens, I can’t tell if Pose will eventually sink its teeth into me like the group’s debut All My Poetry did. The melodies aren’t as interesting here and — even though the song leaves space for the members’ fantastic vocals to shine — Pose never builds toward one memorable moment. It’s more of a vibe than a satisfying whole, but Close Your Eyes are very good at peddling vibes. For now, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt… but ask me again in a month.

Grade: B