[Song & MV Review] EXID � 'I LOVE YOU'

AKP STAFF

EXID �� 'I LOVE YOU'

Track List:

1. I LOVE YOU
2. I LOVE YOU (Inst.)

EXID has just dropped their newest single, "I LOVE YOU." Even better, Solji's part of it. After nearly two years, Solji's back in the spotlight. She rejoined the group in August for their Japanese debut, and now, finally, she's back with them for a Korean release.

"I LOVE YOU" is a sweet dance track. It's nice to hear Solji's sweet vocals, and the stripped-down production with the autotuned "I love you like" makes a sweet hook. It's super-catchy, danceable, and the crazy keyboards during the chorus really help this tune. The chorus is, natch, 100% EXID, done in their inimitable style. Not to mention LE's raps, which are usually on point (to my ears, anyway). I've heard a lot of bland music this year, so this one got my blood pumping again. They've adopted a trap style for this particular tune, which makes it even better.

EXID has been one of my stan groups for some time now (Yes, even before Hani's fan cam�going viral), and finally they're a fivesome again, with all that entails. They're back and better than ever, and I look forward to seeing what else they can surprise me with.

MV REVIEW

In this MV, the girls are constantly throwing up (Hani's even next to a toilet). My guess is this is their reward for a hard night's drinking (or morning sickness � but let's not go there).

There's some dancing, but the antics are king. Like taking a stretched out VHS tape and trying iron it back into shape, or a giant pillow set designed to look like a hamburger, photobooth hijinks. Much of the MV is spent trying not to talk to Ralph on the big white phone.* Plus a huge, furry muppet as a shopkeeper It's all hilarious, with big, fluffy coats, tawdry clothing, and crazy shots. It's also a way to hide how cheap the sets are.

* a euphemism for throwing up.

The funny thing is how they filmed it. There are some graphic nods to the halcyon days of VHS, with scan lines and all that. This appears to be all the rage these days, but I think the disco ball with the text overlay (which usually signals the start or end of something � this happens in the middle of the MV randomly) nails the retro feel. And for an extra helping of awesomesauce, there's more of a narrative than usual nowadays, with a happy ending.

Could it be better? Maybe. But for me, it was a laugh a minute. And in these dark days, as the days get literally darker thanks to winter, that's a refreshing feeling.

Score

MV Relevance.......9
MV Production......9
MV Concept...........9
MV SCORE: 9.0

Songwriting..........9
Composition.........9
Impression............9
ALBUM SCORE: 9.0