Sandwiched between Western and Lunar New Yr, January has been fairly dry in terms of new music. And, most of what’s been launched hasn’t felt notably noteworthy. In some ways, it’s as if we’ve merely kicked the beginning of 2025 down the highway,  lastly able to open the floodgates subsequent month. If that’s the case, I hope CIX’s Thunder acts as a clarion name to unleash vitality and verve all through the business.

CIX’s music has a blended observe file on this weblog, with occasional synthpop stunners battling it out with murkier materials. Thunder marks their first new music as a 4 piece after Bae Jinyoung left the group final 12 months. It additionally seems like an announcement of intent, instantly putting them within the new-gen funk-pop lineage re-popularized by teams like RIIZE. On its face, there are many latest boy group tracks that sound like Thunder (WHIB’s wonderful Rush Of Pleasure involves thoughts), however its success lies within the particulars. The propulsive melodies and ethereal vocals really feel fairly acquainted. Generic, even. But, the observe is buoyed by a crackling electro spine that provides a competing texture. This grows extra addictive as Thunder develops, climaxing in a implausible dance break towards the music’s finale.

Thunder additionally advantages from a fully-fleshed out construction, making room for 2 central hooks, a brisk second verse rap and a few surprisingly dramatic vocal thrives throughout its pre-choruses. I’d love to listen to extra particular person character in these vocals, however CIX give a sophisticated efficiency that matches the hermetic association. Total, Thunder seems like the primary main musical second in Ok-pop’s 2025.

Grade: A-