“SNEAKERS” | ITZY’s ‘CHECKMATE’ To Us All

On July 15th, 2022, the JYPE Girl Group ITZY made their comeback with their 5th Mini Album “CHECKMATE’. This marks the group’s first comeback in 10 months since their Full Album ‘Crazy In Love’. The album includes seven tracks, ‘SNEAKERS’, ‘RAC3R’, ‘WHAT I WANT’, ‘Free Fall’, ‘365’, ‘DOMINO’, and ‘SNEAKERS (English Version)’.

Days up until the reveal of the title track ‘SNEAKERS’, ITZY had confused everyone with the concept of this album. From an initial royalty and elegant concept to a Y2K-esque one, it was hard to imagine how they will pull off two different concepts in one album without looking like a hot mess. ITZY pulled a checkmate on all of us with this one, folks.

That being said, I’ve listened to the album quite a few times over, and I have to say, this is probably one of my favourite ITZY albums. All of the confusion with their concept was cleared out with the music video of ‘SNEAKERS’, where they did not just do two BUT three different concepts in one video. It was hard to imagine how they would have pulled it off, but in the end, they knocked it out of the park.

With very playful beats and youthful energy, we get the title track ‘SNEAKERS’. This single is all about believing in yourself and following your heart. In ‘SNEAKERS’, ITZY looks forwards to expressing how they’ll make it to the top with their sneakers on. The girls continue with their supportive and self-love concept, which was showcased more in their previous title tracks ‘달라달라’ (DALLA DALLA), and ‘WANNABE’. This song is introduced with a light electronic pop that then transitions into a world of funky upbeat pop.

In the ‘SNEAKERS’ music video, ITZY is shown in their own palace where they still have their sneakers on. This represents their free and humble life, despite having everything they seemingly want. It is a fun, very easy, and addictive listen.

Marching band drums and a rather edgy track takes

over in the second track ‘RAC3R’. With this single, ITZY brings a hybrid of trap and a very interesting vocal arrangement. The beat

drops in this track go hard and had me absolutely shocked. This is the first time I have heard them going so experimental with their music, but I have here for it.

‘WHAT I WANT’ brings us a touch of

electronic pop and a total vibe to this release, this single has a touch of British pop and a repetitive hook that will have you jamming at it.

Up next, we have ‘Free Fall’ with an intense bass line and arrangement, which makes this song one of a kind which I did not see coming with the rather dark feel of this single. Like the queens they are, ITZY made it work and created a total unexpected bop.

Intense EDM beats come along in the following track ‘365’. This single brings a more alternative hip-hop style with awesome beat drops and fantastic effects. The rapping for this single and changes of pace are incredible.

The penultimate track up next is ‘DOMINO’. Not to be confused with their senior Stray Kids’ track, comes along bringing back a more familiar sound we know with ITZY and outstanding vocals as always. This pop single is all about powerful singing and a smooth guitar instrumental. The harmonization and tempo of this song are like honey to the ears. By far my favourite ITZY B-Side track of all time.

The final single on this Mini Album is the En

glish version of ‘SNEAKERS’. The member’s English pronunciation always amazes me, and even their English in general. With Lia being the only member fully fluent in the language having studied in Canada, Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna all speak English to a conversational level, but not fully. The one line I love the most from ‘SNEAKERS’ is Chaeryeong’s pre-chorus, mostly her saying the word ‘weirdo’.

While the album is a hit, the members did feel extremely pressured during promotions for 'CHECKMATE'. There’s no mistaking ITZY. Knowing their fiery stage presence and charisma, the quintet has worked their way up into becoming one of the most distinct groups in K-Pop, both visually and sonically. The audacious quintet paint their image with a distinctly bold palette, unafraid to demand your full attention.

Off stage, however, Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna radiate a warm, down-to-earth energy. It was a late spring afternoon in Seoul, South Korea when NME hopped onto Zoom with ITZY, who at the time were in the thick of preparations for their Mini Album.

NME’s conversation with ITZY took place entirely in English without the aid of a translator. Though vocalist Lia has studied abroad for a couple of years in Canada, Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna have spent their entire lives in Korea. Even so, the girls breezed through the interview, candidly expressing themselves with ease. The members break out in a chorus of laughter, nodding furiously in agreement when Ryujin told them that their language skills have improved. “She said that English is confidence,” she adds, pointing at Yeji, and the leader let out a giggle before throwing up a peace sign.

The success of their past few releases, while daunting to follow, has only made the group more determined to show the world what they are made of. “It would be all a lie if we said we felt no pressure at all,” Lia confesses. “But I guess we just tried to focus on showing what kind of group we are, what kind of group ITZY really are, and how good we can be.” Chaeryeong shares how she remains empowered to forge forward. “Our fans, my members, my family, they’re my motivation,” she tells us earning a resounding chorus of ‘awwwws’ from her bandmates.

26.07.2022