After nearly four years of perfecting their brand of confident pop perfection, IVE has taken an unexpected left turn into sultry, hip-hop influenced territory with "XOXZ." The title track from their fourth EP "IVE SECRET" finds the six-member group trading ethereal melodies for something decidedly more grounded and infinitely more intriguing.
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Sound & Production
"XOXZ" operates in the spaces between genres, building its foundation on minimalist trap production that prioritizes atmosphere over aggression. The 808 hits land with surgical precision, while brassy rhythm breaks punctuate whispered confessions and confident rap verses. It's a stark departure from the soaring choruses that defined hits like "Love Dive" and "After LIKE," yet it feels like a natural progression rather than a forced pivot.
The production choices demonstrate remarkable restraint. Where many K-pop tracks pile on layers until every frequency is occupied, "XOXZ" uses negative space as an instrument. The chorus sections breathe, allowing each vocal line to cut through the mix with crystal clarity. When Liz delivers the track's climactic high notes in the bridge, they feel earned rather than obligatory; a moment of genuine vocal showcasing in a landscape often dominated by processed perfection.
Vocal Performance & Arrangement
IVE's vocal arrangement on "XOXZ" showcases mature restraint and strategic deployment of each member's strengths. Rei and Leeseo handle the opening verses with conversational ease, setting up the track's intimate mood before Gaeul's pre-chorus builds tension with layered harmonies that feel organic rather than manufactured.
An Yujin anchors the chorus with her characteristic confidence, while Jang Wonyoung's contributions, both vocal and as co-writer, feel particularly personal. There's an authenticity in her delivery that suggests genuine investment in the material beyond typical idol performance. Liz's bridge moment provides the track's emotional peak without disrupting its overall restraint.
The group's harmonies throughout maintain the atmospheric quality established by the production, proving that IVE's vocal abilities can adapt to different sonic contexts without losing their distinctive group sound.
Lyrical Content & Concept
The decision to title the track "XOXZ" (standing for "I love you, good night. See you in my dreams") signals IVE's comfort with more mature themes while maintaining their core message of empowerment. Jang Wonyoung's co-writing credit adds genuine artistic ownership to lyrics that explore desire and confidence without relying on empty bravado.
Lines like "I want every single thing about you and some more" and the repeated "I want-want-want it all" declarations could easily veer into aggressive territory, but IVE's delivery maintains the track's seductive rather than demanding tone. It's confident without being confrontational, ambitious without being unrealistic.
The "evil Cupid" concept explored in the music video translates well to the audio experience, with the track's nocturnal energy supporting themes of mischievous romance and dreamlike allure.
Context & Evolution
"XOXZ" arrives at a crucial moment in IVE's trajectory. Coming off their historic Lollapalooza performances and recent award sweep, the group could have easily delivered another guaranteed crowd-pleaser in their established style. Instead, they've chosen artistic growth over commercial safety.
This creative risk feels particularly significant given IVE's rapid ascent since their 2021 debut. The group has accumulated over 400 million streams each on previous hits while earning multiple Song of the Year awards, achievements that typically encourage artists to stick with proven formulas. "XOXZ" suggests IVE views success as a platform for experimentation rather than a constraint.
The track positions them alongside current K-pop acts like NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, and (G)I-DLE, who are expanding the genre's creative boundaries while maintaining commercial viability.
Minor Critiques
While "XOXZ" succeeds as an artistic statement, it occasionally feels caught between its atmospheric ambitions and pop accessibility requirements. The minimalist approach, while generally effective, occasionally leaves certain sections feeling underdeveloped compared to IVE's typically rich arrangements. Fans accustomed to the group's soaring melodies might find the restraint initially jarring, though repeated listens reveal the track's subtler pleasures.
The Verdict
"XOXZ" represents IVE at their most artistically ambitious, successfully expanding their sonic palette without abandoning their core identity. It's the sound of a group confident enough in their established strengths to explore new creative territory, and skilled enough to make that exploration compelling.
The track may not immediately grab listeners the way "Love Dive" or "After LIKE" did, but it rewards deeper engagement with layers of detail and emotional nuance that reveal themselves over time. For a group that could easily coast on their proven formula, "XOXZ" demonstrates admirable creative restlessness.
This is IVE growing up in real time, transforming from promising rookies into genuine artists. "XOXZ" doesn't just announce their presence; it confirms their evolution.
Highlights: Atmospheric production, mature vocal arrangements, genuine artistic growths:
Review by Aaron B.