Buried Treasure: IVE – Blue Heart

A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.

IVE will be releasing a music video for double title track Accendio later this month, so I’ll wait to share my thoughts on that song until then. Overall, I think their new mini album is solid and enjoyable — even if nothing compels me back for an immediate re-listen. HEYA is already aging well, and I’m curious to see if it enjoys the chart longevity of the group’s other singles.

I’ve seen some listeners point out the hyperpop influences across IVE Switch, and I hear that mainly in the b-sides. Blue Heart, in particularly, bounces along a minimalist electro thump that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Charli XCX record. It’s the speediest track on the album, which is a tempo I tend to enjoy. And even though its delivery is more subdued than steely, the melodies work very well. The pre-chorus is especially lovely, offering a calm transition into an edgier hook. IVE’s music often has a sense of aloofness that works well for them, and Blue Heart recaptures much of the energy that made Love Dive such an enduring hit.

Grade: B