Jo Yuri - Episode 25 Review
By Lee
August 02, 2025
The former member of beloved IZ*ONE and Player 222 of Squid Game makes a highly anticipated comeback as a singer with Episode 25.
Jo Yuri's style is smooth and well-rounded. Tracks like "Down" and "This Time" showcase her chameleon-like ability to pull off different styles. Here is a review of Episode 25 (spoiler warning).
The EP starts with the exceptionally cinematic, "Farewell for now!" A simple yet striking piano opening is reminiscent of the opening of "The Beginning" by Brand New Days. It starts high, dives low, and reintroduces the middle note to lead into the story. Entering with a song about growing apart with an end-of-movie feel is an interesting decision: it’s almost as if they stuck the ending song at the beginning. If you can follow along with her through the song's buildups and changes, you will have gone through a seesaw of emotions. One side wants to hold on—and one wants to let go. The performance is done well, sure, but the real standout here is the lyrics that stand alone as poetry. In a sea of music that tries to stand out visually or sonically, this song is put at the forefront with plain lyricism:
Your shadow's slipping further away
Only faded feelings remain
Even if it meant nothing, even if we're done
We were beautiful once
"Growls and Purrs" is another cinematic track, where the setting is a brisk day, yet the protagonist is feeling down with nostalgia and yearning. Its vibe is laid back and gives us a break from the opening track. The structure is simple: a single verse with a chorus that repeats throughout. Vocals are smooth and melancholic. A welcome addition to the EP. Did you hear the "meow"?
"Hiccup" is a mid-tempo R&B track with similar elements to "Suit & Tie" by Justin Timberlake. The bass is cool and calculated. It's punchy and rides the wave in the right places. Backbeat claps lock the beat in, while keys and shimmery instrumentation bring a bright balance. Finally, the vocals are there to complete, not compete. The vocals play off the instruments and contribute with ad-libs. The litmus test for any good R&B track is how your body reacts to it, and it's near impossible not to vibe with this one. A standout track.
"Going Under" turns up the heat. The beat hits immediately with Timbaland-style drum and bass hits. The vocals are breathy and low. It's dancey, and the beat is entrancing. The vocals really stand out here. There is so much happening to drive the groove, but during moments of calm, we receive flavorful vocal runs. Background vocals add a breath of air into the deeply locked-in groove. It's a club track that pays homage to the iPod-era sound. An unexpected surprise.
"Overkill" is the final song. It's grittier, but not in an actual gritty way, rather stylistically. It shows a darker side accompanied by an electronic waltz. If "You and Me" by Jennie had a resentful version, it would be this. But I don't find myself gravitating towards this track. It deviates from the trajectory of the EP, which would be fine if it compensated in a memorable or interesting way.
Episode 25 has sounds and ideas that greatly fit Jo Yuri's voice and style. Overall, it was a nice listen with good vibes from the middle tracks. The opening had strong lyrical content that is refreshing to see. I hope for more ballad and dancey R&B tracks in the future. They seem to fit her style the best.
Favorite Tracks: HICCUP, Going Under