After the success of their last album, IVE has come back with IVE SECRET, proving that they aren’t a group that wants to stay safe with their releases.

The group has been sparking excitement for the comeback for some time. At first, there was some confusion about what to expect after the trailer, which showed each member with a specific prop but looked like a magazine photoshoot.

The wide range of concept photos also didn’t show a direct narrative of the concept; instead, they showed off different styles and visuals from the members.

Even with over a week to go, IVE continued to spark curiosity with the concept film as it blended all the concept photos, with each member getting their own bold theme.

Everything came together when IVE SECRET was officially released. IVE’s versatility is always on show with their releases, and title song “XOXZ” is no different.

More comparable to “Baddie,” the track has a more edgy, hip-hop sound, allowing rappers Rei and Gaeul to be in the spotlight both with their vocals and rapping. The vocalists also shone, with their voices adding depth to the verses and being the spotlight of the choruses. Upon first listen, the chorus might seem emptier than past releases, but Liz and Yujin’s lines singing “I want-want-want it all” create balance. Despite the song being so short, the presence of a pre-chorus and one acting like a bridge from Liz was extremely surprising, showing that the producers understood that not all short songs have to seem incomplete. Unsurprisingly, the music video combines everything fans love about IVE, with a strong fairytale narrative mixed with darkness, similar to “Accendio.”

While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is strong and powerful, combined with elegance and grace, which perfectly represent IVE’s identity.

While IVE’s hip-hop tracks might not be the preferred genre for fans, the rest of the album has a range of song styles.

The album continues with “Wild Bird,” and while the intro resembles “XOXZ,” the angelic vocals of Liz and Wonyoung create a unique twist to a ballad. It instantly changes again as Rei comes in, and while a drumbeat is introduced, the song wouldn’t seem out of place in a 2000s rom-com as it’s easy to listen to but nostalgic in many ways, particularly in the chorus. Similarly, “Dear, My Feelings,” has a light and airy melody, taking instrumentals and familiar vocal techniques but adding an “IVE twist” with all the members’ vocals coming together with falsettos has a jazzy, whimsical aura.

One aspect of the album that stands out is the use of bold instrumental techniques to start songs. The track “GOTCHA” begins with a heavy rock vibe with heavy drums, and “삐빅 (♡beats)” resembles a classic electro-pop song. These two songs seem to be the opposite of what fans expect from IVE, as it has a rougher and more gritty tone than the “Princess” title the group gets, continuing to push how diverse IVE is and that they want to continue trying new and unexpected genres.

Finishing with “Midnight Kiss” is the perfect way to bring the album to a close. The song starts with layering of vocals and instrumentals, which could be seen as “psychedelic,” with a steady tempo bringing each member’s vocal strengths to light, especially those that might not be on show too often, like the voices of rappers Rei and Gaeul. The melody has a subtle way of relaying a message of hope, and as it continues, it comes across like a track aimed to uplift and inspire fans. Even if you don’t know a drop of Korean, “Midnight Kiss” feels like a warm hug at the end of a hard day.

IVE SECRET is another album pushing the group outside their comfort zone and giving fans a taste of everything the members are capable of. The variety of styles and genres in the album means that there is something for everyone, whether you like the classic IVE song or want something different.

IVE SECRET is out now. IVE can be found on Instagram here.