IVE - IVE SECRET Review
By Lee
September 04, 2025
IVE is back with their 4th EP. AI teasers and the evil cupid concept caused buzz leading up to the release. While “Accendio” was their first rendition of a good versus evil concept, it is still a surprise to see the commitment to a darker concept.
“XOXZ” enters with a trap style. Deep sub-bass, hi-hats, and claps. The verse cadence is cool and simple. The prechorus is an atmospheric EDM buildup from Gaeul. This part is extremely catchy and satisfying. “Gimme gimme” tells most of what the song is about:wanting it all, taking it all, and demanding it all. The final chorus ends smoothly; it’s spacey and shows an ability of control in their production to not overdo it. Heavy horns, swooping instrumentation and reverbed vocals throughout help create a large, cold, almost futuristic atmosphere, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Great moments in this hard-hitting title track.
“Wild Bird” is a stadium song that is reminiscent of Taylor Swift. The vocals are open and free with longer runs. The feeling is grand, yet at-home with a tried-and-true sound. It has themes of freedom and dreams that match well with the production.
“Dear, My Feelings” turns up the tempo in this disco-dance track. The chorus is a standout here with a fluctuating “ahhh-ahh” that takes vocal cues from the previous track’s chorus. Verse 2 has a similar cadence to the “XOXZ” verse. These correlations show the thought and direction in the production. It's playful and energetic and makes your head bob, even as it embraces melancholy. The emphasis here is on the feelings. The instrumentation, emphasis of minor chords, and repetition of “I love my own feelings” create an underlying emotion masked behind the dancey tempo. Replay value for days.
“GOTCHA (Baddest Eros)” is a hard-hitting electro-rock-inspired track. It has the most jarring sound of the EP. The vocals are cold, and driving synths along with the drums add to this atmosphere. Their track, “Hypnosis,” achieved a similar feel. Gaeul and Rei carry the song throughout. Yujin has a cool moment in the bridge switch-up that slows it down with a smooth vocal break. The best medium for a track like this would be in a performance to showcase these moments.
“삐빅 (♥beats)” is the sassy and stylish track that really wakes up the EP. A glitchy, electronic instrumental plays along with cold rap lines. Rei steals the show every time she enters. Short melodic moments allow space and a satisfying payoff to hear the beat again. Wonyoung's spoken word moment is unexpected but welcome, completing the dramatic feel of the track.
“Midnight Kiss” is the end of the EP and offers a chill feel with vocals and heartfelt lyrics. “All Night” was their concert ender during the MINE era. This could very well be the new encore piece. Instead of a party track, we have something dreamy and down to earth. They executed this ending track well to leave a lasting impression.
The collection of songs here is sonically consistent and flows well. IVE has come so far since peak releases like “LOVE DIVE” and “I AM.” Still, their songs ooze style and control that make them hard to find fault with. There is a strong cohesion of sound and themes throughout, and moments that remind us of the strength of each member. This is not a groundbreaking peak such as “I AM” or “LOVE DIVE,” but it doesn’t have to be. It is a collection of songs that gives us more IVE and performances to look forward to on a big, big stage.
Favorite Tracks: XOXZ, Midnight Kiss, Dear, My Feelings