Releasing a digital single to kick off the brand new 12 months has been a profitable gambit for a lot of idol acts, and it additionally is smart given BOYNEXTDOOR’s busy touring schedule throughout the first few months of 2025. The group has steadily climbed to the higher echelons of my very own bias listing, however in comparison with different favourite acts their music usually takes longer to click on with me. I think about If I Say, I Love You (오늘만 I LOVE YOU) will observe an identical trajectory.

BOYNEXTDOOR proceed to embrace their particular person sound, which is starting to share extra in widespread with Ok-bands like Lucy than conventional idol tropes. This units up an fascinating dichotomy that works effectively once they get the stability good. If I Say, I Love You leans extra towards an indie sound, that includes a fitful band association. Very similar to GFriend’s comeback monitor, this model feels extra consistent with what’s widespread within the Japanese music trade proper now. The closest Korean up to date might be final 12 months’s breakout band QWER.

If I Say, I Love You opens with its refrain, which is all the time a present of confidence. This melody grows catchier with every pay attention, however I just like the track’s jagged synth breakdown even higher. The verses are much less memorable than the multi-part centerpiece that anchors If I Say, I Love You, however they’re additionally a comparatively shorter section of the track. At solely two minutes forty seconds, the monitor doesn’t have time to lollygag round. This efficiency may find yourself being its largest asset, particularly as the fellows are in a position to imbue it with their pure charisma throughout stay performances.

Grade: B