REVIEW | (G)I-DLE is Igniting a Spark in Their Latest Mini Album ‘I burn’

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Release Date: January 11, 2021

Tracklist:

1. HANN (Alone in winter)
2. HWAA
3. MOON
4. Where is love
5. LOST
6. DAHLIA

Total Runtime: 00:18:40

Recommended for: Those who love mellow and groovy tracks, a cohesive album.

NOT recommended for: Those who are looking for more fast tempo or upbeat tracks from (G)I-DLE

(G)I-DLE is back and better than ever with their new mini album release ‘I burn‘. It’s (G)I-DLE’s 4th mini album and as a group that is constantly reinventing themselves and trying out new things, ‘I burn‘ is their best album yet! The album shows elements of regret, sorrow, revenge as well as love of course. So without further ado, let’s get into this review!

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Track Review:

Track 1 – HANN (Alone in winter)

One of (G)I-DLE’s more interesting tracks, instrumental wise, since Put It Straight. HANN starts out with heavy piano keys that later transitions to eerie Winter sounds, with two notes from a Guqin(Chinese instrument), adding to the suspense. Throughout the song, piano was mainly used along with harmonizing vocals in the background. Lyrically, I feel like HANN(Alone in winter) is an extension to the story told in HANN(Alone). The phrases such as “I missed yesterday and resentment today” and “Even the promise that I said I would erase, Like it was all lies” that shows their regret leaving whom they loved in HANN(Alone).

Track 2 – HWAA 

Starting with the music video, visually stunning. The scenes in the music video focuses on large, spacious sets, almost like a film. HWAA is a traditional release, so you’ll find a lot of elements of East Asian culture such as the fans, the wall decor, the Hanfu veil (Chinese face accessory), the umbrellas, etc. One thing I wished is that we got to see more of them in the red outfits (towards the end) with the curtain backdrop. I felt like the greenery scenes could’ve been arranged better, I know it was suppose to represent Spring after Winter. Other than that, I loved the dramatics and how dynamic the music video was. Now for the choreography, it’s everything I wanted from (G)I-DLE plus more. It’s a mix of the group’s old choreography (such as LION and Oh My God) as well as new ones, the crown gesture (LION) is used a lot in the chorus.

Moving along to the track itself, I love the beginning of it. Starts off with what I believe is the Erhu (Chinese string instruments) along with the piano. Soyeon starts off with her vocals, as she has always done in previous releases, but I love the way she held her notes. Interestingly enough, when the song started to pick up, there were slight hints of Reggaeton beats with the drum mix. Although the chorus is great, it would be cool if the second half of the chorus, the latter, had longer lyrics. Maybe the only thing I disliked is how the song ended, I wished it went on a bit longer. Lyrically, HWAA ties together with HANN and HANN (Alone in Winter) with HWAA being the final piece of the story. Winter entering as you go through a breakup but then transitioning into a flower as Spring comes by.

Track 3 – MOON 

MOON is a more mid-tempo kind of song that picks up as it gets closer to the chorus. The track has a lot of groovy elements from the piano synths to the drums. It was smart to have Miyeon and Minnie sing the chorus because they can get into that soulful tone that the song is trying to emulate.  MOON, lyrically, is quite sad; wanting to be alone but can’t as the moon will always be there shining down on you.

Track 4 – Where is love

My favorite track on the album, by far! Where is love gives off an early 2010s Pop-Progressive House vibe, especially in the chorus. Soyeon’s smooth intro and the vocal synths in the background got me hooked from the beginning. The breakdown during the bridge, with Miyeon singing, honestly brings the listener to an almost festival vibe, I’d love to see this track performed at an outdoor Summer fest.

Track 5 – LOST 

LOST gives off a classy vibe, like dressed out on stage and singing along with a guitar. The track has a lot of elements of ballroom dance music, kind of like how Hann(Alone) used ballroom/tango music throughout the verses. LOST, based on the lyrics, feels like the breakup was recent with lines like “We can’t be together like before” and Even if I look back, you’re not there”.

Track 6 – DAHLIA

DAHLIA is definitely different from the rest of the album, in terms of lyrics. DAHLIA is about a current relationship while the rest of the album is about a past one. Instrumentally, along with lyrics, does a great job of having the listener go through the emotions even if you don’t understand the language. One of the highlights of the song in my opinion is the pre-chorus, first with Soojin’s and Shuhua’s soft part transitioning to Yuqi’s fast pace into the chorus.

The mini album is available worldwide on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music as well as for purchase on iTunes/Google Play. Let me know what you think of (G)I-DLE’s latest mini album down in the comment section below.