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Review: K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE turns up the heat with first English EP

For their first English EP, (G)I-DLE has gone a step in the right direction if they aimed to captivate a larger international audience.

Belinda Poh

| October 14, 2023

Following the drop of their sixth mini album, I feel (2023) in May, K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE recently made their return with new music.

Read more: (G)I-DLE to bring I Am Free-Ty World Tour to Singapore on 29 Oct

On 6 Oct (Fri), (G)I-DLE released their first English EP, titled HEAT (2023). Its opening track, I DO (2023) was produced in collaboration with 88rising, an Asian-focused music and media company, Billboard exclusively reported previously.

I DO

Before the album arrived officially, fans got a taster of the album with I DO. Unlike (G)I-DLE’s other tracks where choreography is a key highlight, I DO tones it down on that aspect. Instead, it gives attention to the emotive vocals of the (G)I-DLE members.

While the lyrics are typical of a usual heartbreak tune, the synth-pop song doesn’t come off as cheesy.

I Want That

Its title number, I Want That (2023) is also vastly different from the usual (G)I-DLE intensity. The rhythmic track, propelled by the smooth bassline, conveys the desire for a more fervent and psychotic love.

The chorus repeats, “I want that oh my, oh my, OMG / I want that right now, no you and me / I want that oui merci, no c’est la vie.”. The repetition, along with the rhyming lines, makes the track extremely catchy. Special mention to the sick beats that open the scarily addictive track.

Eyes Roll

For Eyes Roll (2023), (G)I-DLE teamed up with American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, who co-wrote the track.

It’s a fan favourite and a strong contender for the title number in the album. It integrates typical Western pop influences, yet retains (G)I-DLE’s usual music flavour. True to their usual empowering lyrics, this track tells of a confident and attractive woman capable of captivating and manipulating others.

Read more: Review: (G)I-DLE addresses insecurities and why there’s no need to be flawlessly perfect in ‘Allergy’

For their first English EP, (G)I-DLE has gone a step in the right direction if they aimed to captivate a larger international audience. And for their long-time fans, take it that it’s another side that the girls have to offer, away from the usual badass image we saw in Queencard (2023) and TOMBOY (2022).