Release Date: April 30, 2021
Track Listing
- M.A.F.I.A. In the morning
- Sorry Not Sorry
- KIDDING ME
- Wild Wid West
- SHOOT!
- TENNIS (0:0)
Review
ITZY’s second release of 2021 is their fourth EP titled GUESS WHO. The song M.A.F.I.A. In The Morning is the lead single for this album.
There is plenty to like about M.A.F.I.A. In The Morning. It has that attitude that only ITZY can bring to their songs. While the music is not as over the top as their previous a-sides, it does have a menacing kind of bounce that fits the cat and mouse love game theme of the lyrics.
For those who are more visually inclined, you will be pleased to know there is no soul-crushing Zepeto version to take away the goodwill M.A.F.I.A. In The Morning has generated. Instead, what you get is ITZY oozing charisma all over the screen for 3 minutes, which is always a good thing.
As for the rest of the album? Well, much of it plays to the strengths of the group. So if you are looking for songs that exude confidence and boldness, then GUESS WHO will be the album for you. If you care about none of that and want some bumping music to test your speaker system? Then this is also an excellent go-to.
When it comes to songs that match the feeling of the a-side, then it’s best to check out KIDDING ME and SHOOT! Both of those songs are perfect examples of what the whole ITZY vibe is. SHOOT!, in particular, is an excellent mix of chill and banging at the same time.
Much like on their last EP, Not Shy, ITZY changes direction and slows things down at the end of GUESS WHO. However, this time it’s with the song called Tennis (0:0). It’s a simple pop song driven by an acoustic guitar lead and backed by a sparse beat.
Tennis (0:0) is another atypical song for ITZY that gives them an opportunity to display their sweeter side. It sounds like the group is gradually starting to incorporate music that will provide the girls with a rest between all their frantic dance-oriented songs.
What is missing in their arsenal is a full-on ballad like the chest-thumping diva kind that makes the girls belt out all their feels and such. Maybe that will come in the future.
The only real downer I could find on GUESS WHO was Wild Wild West. It felt a little too hokey, in my opinion. Unfortunately, it’s not a remake of the Will Smith song. Maybe that might have made it slightly better?
GUESS WHO is best described as ITZY getting close to reaching its final form. Their identity as a group is well established, and their musical direction has been fairly evident from the start. There are just a few minor tweaks to be made to make them a bit more well-rounded. Otherwise, GUESS WHO is another enjoyable release from ITZY.
