Dropping one letter (and parentheses) out of your group identify shouldn’t be too large of a deal, however since rebranding as i-dle, the previous (G)I-DLE has seen their chart powers diminish. It’s too early to inform if final yr’s outcomes have been a fluke or not, nevertheless it makes their upcoming album really feel like an necessary fork within the highway of their profession. At present, we now have the primary style of that album within the type of pre-release Crow.

i-dle’s music has usually relied on gimmicks and catchphrases, and given Okay-pop’s trajectory this yr I feared that Crow might characteristic some precise squawking. At this level, I wouldn’t put it previous this trade! As an alternative, the track takes the group down an edgier path, pushed by a stomping glam rock beat. It is a refreshing transformation with limitless potential, and when the track works it really works fairly effectively. The rap-heavy verses are a number of enjoyable, principally as a consequence of that killer percussion.

From right here, Crow feels underwritten. The refrain doesn’t pack the punch I hoped for from a monitor like this. The vitality coasts simply because it ought to explode. Then, Crow segues into an prolonged outro that additional diminishes momentum. I admire the dangers i-dle take with the association, however these selections depart us with out a satisfying end. To me, Crow looks like a demo with a ton of potential that must be fleshed out a bit extra.

Grade: C+