Song Review: ICHILLIN’ – Official

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 new single Official, which takes the flat structural trend of many current girl groups and bolsters it with an exciting instrumental.

From the very beginning, Official‘s charismatic dance beat captures my attention. I love the filtered vocal loop that opens the track and the beat pounds with addictive 90’s club influence. It’s a more idiosyncratic version of what LE SSERAFIM delivered earlier this year and begs for an equally beguiling song to fulfil its full potential.

Unfortunately, this is where Official suffers. Recently, K-pop has learned an awful lesson that it’s okay to simply talk your way through a song if the production is good and you’re dancing your butt off. This may appeal to fans, but for someone like me who thrives on melody and bravura vocal performances, the trend has neutered so many potentially great songs. Songs like Official are exciting at first listen, but just like fast fashion they lose that thrill as soon as something new and shiny comes around.

Grade: B-