ICHILLIN’ pre-released their song Glass Heart at the beginning of the month, but without a music video it never made its way onto this blog. Now, they’re back with that song’s attached mini album and title track XL (Extra Love). In the past, I’ve given credit to this group for bucking trends and offering sounds … Continue reading →

ICHILLIN’ released a couple great tracks early this year, but both ended up falling off my playlist much quicker than expected. They each felt more like production showcases than enduring melodies — an approach that often struggles in the long run once the excitement of that production wears off. I predict a similar future for … Continue reading →

ICHILLIN’ impressed with two killer pre-release tracks earlier this year. They seemed poised for a reinvention that favored intricate, engrossing beats and fiery, attitude-driven hooks. Now that their official title track On My Lips has finally been unveiled, all I can ask is… what happened? The answer — as usual — lies with the producers. … Continue reading →

ICHILLIN’s music has been on an upward trajectory lately, and last month’s Bite Me impressed with its edgy beat and exciting energy. The girls aren’t wasting any time with a follow up, releasing new digital single Demigod just weeks later. This song shares so much with Bite Me, succeeding and struggling in the exact same … Continue reading →

Thus far, ICHILLIN’ have pinballed through a variety of styles, most recently getting caught in the sing-chant nursery rhyme style that plagues many of their peers’ discographies. New digital single Bite Me still has a (lack of) melody problem, but its dynamic instrumental counterpunches with surprising force. Bite Me opens with a wallop, as thundering … Continue reading →

Dear K-pop gods, I beseech you. Please, please rekindle your ability to craft an upbeat summer track that isn’t 85% exuberant chanting and melodies in nursery rhyme style. These elements can be fun in moderation, but too much of this fizzy sugar rush results in fatigue and stomach pain. I dig Kick-Start‘s punky guitars, and … Continue reading →

ICHILLIN are trying to confuse us! Less than two months ago, they returned with a song called Alarm. Now, they’re back with another one called Siren! I sense a theme here… I wasn’t a fan of Alarm, but Siren has some bite to it. As always, I’d prefer a robust, melodic chorus over the beat-drop/sing-talk hook … Continue reading →

The laser beams shooting from the ICHILLIN members’ eyes in this new music video made me chuckle. This is probably the kindest thing I can say about their new comeback, but we should never discount an effective visual gag. Honestly, I had to go back to past reviews of ICHILLIN to remember what any of … Continue reading →

Is it too early to hear the influence of NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM in other girl groups? Now that “girl crush” seems to have faded a bit, it feels like their subdued – almost aloof – sounds are the next stage in girl group trends. ICHILLIN’s Draw (My Time) is an interesting hybrid of the … Continue reading →

I never wrote about ICHILLIN’s debut, which arrived just as the new school year was starting. To be honest, a look back at that song didn’t inspire much of a reaction. But, we all know first comebacks are equally as important as debuts, so it’s time to give follow-up single Fresh a chance. With any … Continue reading →