I had a dream final night time that I went again to hearken to ILLIT’s Cherish (My Love) and there was this entire new layer of manufacturing on its instrumental I’d by no means seen earlier than — together with a distinguished violin solo. Throughout the dream, I puzzled why I hadn’t beloved the tune on first hear. Upon waking up, I puzzled why the hell I used to be dreaming about ILLIT’s Cherish (My Love)! But it surely turned out to be fortuitous, because the group has unveiled the music video for follow-up observe Tick-Tack at present.

Not too long ago, I’ve used the time period “beige pop” for Ok-pop’s present development of subdued, easy-listening mush. ILLIT’s newest document crystallizes this concept, full of two-minute songs that largely repeat one concept fairly than develop into one thing extra strong. Together with Cherish, Tick-Tack is the shortest observe of their repertoire, however it’s obtained a bit extra chunk to it. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless “one concept repeated,” with its rhythmic refrain instantly forging a repetitive calling card. The verses act in a supporting position, doing nothing past filling the mandatory house between the blippy “tick-tack, ti-tack, tick, tack-ta-tick, tack” centerpiece. There’s technically a (very temporary) bridge included within the construction, however Tick-Tack has come and gone earlier than you already know it.

Due to this, the tune feels extra like an commercial than a correct single. I recognize the retro chiptunes manufacturing that underlines the refrain, however the tune may do with a secondary melody to counter the repetitiveness at its core. With out something past its hook to seize maintain of, Tick-Tack is a unusual diversion that’s enjoyable the primary few instances however rapidly grows stale.

Grade: C