ITZY finally graduated from their rookie status! This JYP Entertainment girl group has released their first mini album IT’z ME with lead single WANNABE on Monday, March 9th 2020. It’s only been one year since ITZY entered K-Pop music scene, yet they already attract interests. Their last year’s debut single, Dalla Dalla, became a hit and led them to sweep Best New Female category in major awards. They also successfully established their group identity, a mix of girl crush and playful teenagers, in terms of music and concept.
With WANNABE, ITZY continues to make us curious. Will they play it safe and replicate similar formula? Or will they experiment and create something totally different from their debut? Check out my review of IT’z ME album title track below…………………………
WANNABE follows similar formula of Dalla Dalla. It has singing/talking verses, a pop chorus, and an English chant as its hook. This song also has electronic dance music as its main genre. However, ITZY levels it up by adding deep house genre on WANNABE verses and disco sound on its chorus. As a result, this song has harder beat and more mature vibe compare to their previous single. The addition of disco sound creates a nostalgic vibe too since it will remind you to Second-Generation Girl Group sound like SISTAR and T-ara.
The emphasis on dance music makes WANNABE fascinating to listen, but unfortunately, it affects ITZY vocal. The member’s singing style starts to become similar between one another; causing it hard to differentiate their voices. Some of them noticeably have to sing outside their vocal range, which makes several verses and chorus uncomfortable to listen. I understand JYP Entertainment wants to make ITZY as a dance-focused group, but it does not hurt to polish the girls’ vocal. They have potential and the right key would allow their vocal to give more kick to the song.
In the music video department, WANNABE stays true to the song’s lyrics about empowerment. ITZY continues to carry their confident self since debut, which they ask people to stop bothering them because they just want to be themselves. Each member shines on their own in the music video, in fact, it able to accommodate ITZY girls’ strength through individual scenes.
WANNABE music video has different storyline for each member that suits to their image. For example, Yuna displays her funny and sassy charm by having a runway scene without shoes. Then Lia messes up a luxurious dining table to break her princess image. It’s a clever way to point each member’s identities, which is useful since they are still rookies.
Aside from its lyrics, WANNABE music video also represents the more mature ITZY sound. Check out, how the color tone, lighting, and setting becomes darker despite the girls still use similar stylings like their previous singles.
ITZY sticks to their success recipe in WANNABE. They maintain a similar song arrangement and concept styling like their debut single, while tease a mature side through the addition of disco and deep house sound, and darker music video. The similar formula does not really bothersome at this stage of ITZY career since it’s only been one year from their debut. It’s great to maintain your identity and let people know each member’s characteristics. However, ITZY should not become too comfortable with this style as year goes by. Don’t forget to explore more girls, otherwise your sound and concept will become repetitive!
Rating: 3.5/5
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