It’s been a very slow week in K-pop, so a surprise pre-release from ILLIT saves me from digging in the archives and writing about something old today. Their comeback is slated for later this month with title track Do The Dance, but prior to that they’ve debuted the “brand film” for album opener Little Monster. The song feels like a natural maturation of their sound, maintaining their sonic hallmark while offering a more pensive mood.
I can’t say I’ve been all that impressed by ILLIT’s music so far beyond the supremely catchy Magnetic. I simply prefer my pop music to sound bigger and punchier than the airy fare ILLIT have made their name on. Their songs are also very repetitive without the kind of dynamic build that leads to natural climaxes. It’s a vibier, quirkier affair. Little Monster follows this formula as much as any of their work, but its mood pulls me in more than I’d expected and makes for a beguiling album introduction.
I’m especially partial to Little Monster‘s pre-chorus, which offers the song’s most dramatic melody. From here, ILLIT retreat to the repetitive approach that’s characterized most of their hooks. There’s a bit more pathos and intensity to be found here, which lends the repetition some weight. I wish the HYBE producers would take some risks and give Little Monster some truly experimental instrumental quirks. We’ve heard its same kind of soft, early-2000’s sound from countless girl groups at this point. Imagine how cool Little Monster would sound with an icier bed of fractured electronics. A contrast between sharper instrumental fragments and ILLIT’s sweeter vocal tone could be very compelling and push this song closer to hyperpop.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8