At present could also be a barren day for brand spanking new Okay-pop releases, however IVE have slid into the empty slate with a music video for brand spanking new Japanese single Lucid Dream. Their Japanese work has been a blended bag up to now and general feels fairly inessential. This monitor does nothing to buck that development.

For Lucid Dream, the group has taken a extra subdued method. The tune’s restrained manufacturing appears like a seize bag of so many 2020s developments — a little bit of metropolis pop right here, a little bit of UK storage there, a little bit of Jersey membership over there. All of it combines to craft a sound palette that feels overly generic. Dreamy synths present a little bit of texture, however that is rather more of a vibe than a tune. The melodies comply with go well with, sweetly cresting over the instrumental with a frictionless ease that requires little or no engagement from the listener. By the point we get to the (considerably annoying) “la la la lucid” hook, you could very properly be lulled right into a blissful semi-sleep. Given the title, I suppose that’s the purpose!

This method may need confirmed profitable if Lucid Dream was the one pop tune launched in 2026 or when you have been an alien who had by no means heard pop music earlier than, however we’re spoiled for selection today so I’m unsure what would coax me to hearken to this over anything (other than fandom bias).

Grade: C