Releasing a digital single to kick off the new year has been a successful gambit for many idol acts, and it also makes sense given BOYNEXTDOOR’s busy touring schedule during the first few months of 2025. The group has steadily climbed to the upper echelons of my own bias list, but compared to other favorite acts their music often takes longer to click with me. I imagine If I Say, I Love You (오늘만 I LOVE YOU) will follow a similar trajectory.
BOYNEXTDOOR continue to embrace their individual sound, which is beginning to share more in common with K-bands like Lucy than traditional idol tropes. This sets up an interesting dichotomy that works well when they get the balance just right. If I Say, I Love You leans more toward an indie sound, featuring a fitful band arrangement. Much like GFriend’s comeback track, this style feels more in line with what’s popular in the Japanese music industry right now. The closest Korean contemporary is probably last year’s breakout band QWER.
If I Say, I Love You opens with its chorus, which is always a show of confidence. This melody grows catchier with each listen, but I like the song’s jagged synth breakdown even better. The verses are less memorable than the multi-part centerpiece that anchors If I Say, I Love You, but they’re also a relatively shorter segment of the song. At only two minutes forty seconds, the track doesn’t have time to lollygag around. This potency might end up being its biggest asset, especially as the guys are able to imbue it with their natural charisma during live performances.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
8.5