In a major rebrand, (G)I-DLE have renamed themselves “i-dle.” This comes on the heels of their contract renewal with Cube Entertainment and promises to usher in a new era for their music. The group has been remarkably popular since their debut in 2018, with their singles often defining trends of the era. Their discography tends to be more “miss” than “hit” for me, but I’m always curious to hear what they’ll come up with next.
New single Girlfriend leans further into a pop/rock sound than most of their material and it’s at its best when fully embracing that energy. This genre is notoriously unfussy, thriving on straightforward catharsis laced with plenty of attitude. i-dle certainly have the “attitude” part down and make sure to drive home their badass nature with repeated curse words in the song’s lyrics. It’s more than a little silly, but I always find it a bit cringy when idol groups try to be “bad” in such obvious ways.
Musically, Girlfriend shows potential for a fun, tongue-in-cheek way forward. I love its more melodic pieces, from the anthemic pre-chorus to the rollicking second half each verse. These moments offer a driving energy that should have underlined the entire song. In comparison, the chorus feels a bit undercooked, aiming for sing-along brattiness but never taking flight in the way I’d hope. These shiny centerpieces are contrasted by a more minimalist sound during Girlfriend‘s rapped/spoken segments. This split personality robs the track of its momentum, and with a short running time there’s no real opportunity for the song to stream roll its listeners in submission. More often than not, it feels like a mood board for a better comeback yet to come.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8