ILLIT recently released the album bomb, giving fans a magical set of songs that perfectly suits the group’s image and concept since their debut. It raised expectations, and ILLIT did not disappoint.

Even before the album was released, ILLIT shared the video for the track “little monster,” which already cemented the group’s sound but added a new depth. It feels refreshing and magical, with a focus on each member and their unique vocal tone. Although the repetition trend can be monotonous, the use of “I don’t wanna know” in the chorus is perfectly placed between complex and melodic verses from all the members. It perfectly matches the “sweet” tones of members like Wonhee and also the more soulful textures of voices like Yunah.

The video itself was also extremely eye-catching, taking a darker and more “crazy” twist on ILLIT’s fairytale core, using little characters and different camera techniques to make something magical and unpredictable. It matched perfectly with the eery and airy vibes from the song, with a composition focusing on storytelling and narrative, like all of ILLIT’s releases.

After a wait, ILLIT’s full album was released with the title track “Do the Dance.”

Like the group’s past releases, the track is extremely catchy from the opening bars and has lyrics that might seem simple but are very effective in getting stuck in your head upon the first listen. In particular, the track used a sample from the song sample from “Elegant Escape” from the movie version of the Japanese anime “The Five Star Stories.” It adds an extra layer to the song and seemingly fits in perfectly with the vibes and feelings ILLIT wants fans to feel from the song. The 1980s disco also creates a sense of nostalgia with a track that is perfect for the members’ bright personalities.

Ahead of the album, ILLIT teased fans with three types of very unique and contrasting concept photos. One was very fresh and Y2K, with distinct styling throughout.

Similarly to the pre-release, the music video had an air of fantasy and madness, using unconventional shots and angles that might not give off the standard “pretty” K-Pop vibes.

The rest of the album also perfectly fits the vibes that ILLIT seemed to want from the album. With “jellyous,” it starts magical and light intro, but from the moment the first verse starts with Iroha and Yunah, the track feels cooler and more modern, using a rap tone for the lines. Starting with the chorus might be odd, but it means that by the time it’s heard “officially” and in full, listeners are already exposed to the catchy lines, repeating the title.

On the other hand, “oops!” starts with a very different beat immediately and feels more mature than the other tracks, emphasizing each member’s very distinct vocal tone. The melody is catchy, and the whistling between verses is a simple technique, but it adds to the more laid-back nature of the track. Ending with “bamsopoong” was the perfect choice as it combines the feelings from the whole album. It starts with a disco instrumental, focuses on highlighting the angelic voices of the members, and also has a strong drum beat to add texture.

ILLIT is a group that knows who they are, and their album is a perfect representation of their identity and place in K-Pop.

bomb is out now. ILLIT can be found on Instagram here.