I-DLE Comes Back to Life in Full Album ‘I NEVER DIE’

I-DLE returned with their first full studio album titled I NEVER DIE on March 14, and fans are going wild.

The group, whose last official comeback was their EP I Burn in January of 2021, and their UNIVERSE single “Last Dance” last August, has been occupied with many projects.

However, they certainly did not put their music aside, as this album consists of eight unique tracks. Since the release of the album’s title track, “TOMBOY,” fans have constantly praised its special concept. I-DLE definitely entered 2022 stronger than ever, earning their time in the spotlight. 

“TOMBOY” is seen as a commentary on society’s structural expectations for women to behave feminine and delicate, which are some struggles the singers have faced.

I-DLE debuted with the chic, off-girl crush concept of “LATATA” which took the K-pop world by storm. Since then, they have been experimenting with different concepts, like “Senorita,” “Uh-Oh,” and “Oh my god”. Most notably, the group’s leader Soyeon has played a major role in the creation including songwriting and producing. Not only Soyeon, but also the rest of the group’s (which includes Miyeon, Minnie, Yuqi, and Shuhua) participation in the song’s creation process, especially for I NEVER DIE is what ties a personal bond between the music and their listeners. 

(g)i-dle; tomboy (2022) pic.twitter.com/mawI1qyK1B

— ؘ (@stillsmvs) March 14, 2022

“TOMBOY” was innovative, breakthrough, and defiant in its entry into the K-pop world. The title track addresses female stereotypes, misogynistic treatment, and the declaration of their true identities. It relies on a strong and addictive baseline to drive the verses forward. Its intro is extremely enticing as the members showcase their unique and strong vocal abilities.

“TOMBOY” is driven by rock-inspired elements, which include its bold instrumentation, clear and confident sounds, and fast-paced tempo. However, while the music itself is superb, the message they convey through their lyrics is just, if not more, powerful. They seem to chant “Here we are!” in bright red letters while stating, “Do you want a blond barbie doll? It’s not here, I’m not a doll,” to emphasize that they are more than just their physical appearance.

I-DLE mentions alcohol and cigarettes in their lyrics as well (“Sometimes we swear without cigarettes. I like to eh on drinking whiskey”), asserting a bold attitude through this portrayal of life’s hardships. Idols are often presented as perfect, but the group emphasizes that they are still humans. Fans hope this progressive outlook will remain a major concept in their future music.  

In the title track’s music video, the girls flaunt their newfound attitude. Its cinematography is enticing and riddled with unique camera angles, never-before-seen sets, and robotic camera movements.

Additionally, the girls show off amazing looks, all of which were designed with red and black undertones. Its I NEVER DIE album name implies that they refuse to back down from their spot as a reigning 4th Generation icon.

minnie and shuhua from (g)i-dle pic.twitter.com/ide7jTND3V

— gidle archive (@archivegidle) March 17, 2022

There are seven other tracks in this album are: “Never Stop Me,” “VILLAIN DIES,” “ALREADY,” “POLAROID,” “ESCAPE,” “LIAR,” and “MY BAG” (which they have also had a stage performance for). Each b-side brings another flavor to the table and adds a new facet to the girls’ ever-growing discography.

“Never Stop Me,” for example, is a bittersweet R&B, rock-fusion creation that is crafted atop a powerful electric guitar baseline. To describe it simply; It’s the perfect song to blast while driving down an empty highway at dusk.

“VILLAIN DIES” is more electro-inspired with an addictive anti-drop chorus. It switches between being rap-oriented and ethereal, which makes listeners undergo a wonderful array of emotions.

Next, “ALREADY” is another combination of genres, but leans towards a more groovy style than the previous tracks. It slips listeners into a hypnotic trance of overlapping vocal layers which fit together like puzzle pieces. These are only a few examples of the amazing tracks that I NEVER DIE offers.

The song has been met with mass support, surpassing 2.4 million streams on the Spotify streaming platform nearly a week after its release. Their YouTube video has garnered over thirty-five million views as well. NEVERLAND, the group’s fanbase, is also promoting the girls on all major social media sites.

I-DLE is a group of masterful performers and writers who create powerful, and truly meaningful works of art. They have worked on a variety of different projects over the years, and are yet to slow down in their musical endeavors. To keep up with their promotional activities, follow their Instagram, Twitter, and VLIVE accounts.