Release Date: February 23, 2026
Track Listing
- BLACKHOLE
- BANG BANG
- Hush
- Stuck In Your Head
- Fireworks
- HOT COFFEE
- 8 (Jang Wonyoung Solo)
- Odd (Gaeul Solo)
- Super ICY (Leeseo Solo)
- Unreal (Liz Solo)
- In Your Heart (Rei Solo)
- Force (An Yujin Solo)
Review
REVIVE+ is IVE’s second full-length album, and with pre-release single BANG BANG signalling a sharper edge, the comeback brought both anticipation and questions about the group’s evolving sound. The title track, BLACKHOLE, continues that bold, aggressive energy, but presents it with more restraint rather than immediate impact. Unlike IVE’s earlier title tracks, which emphasized confidence, individuality, and self-love, BLACKHOLE shifts toward connection. Using space-themed metaphors such as gravity and orbit, the song frames emotional pull as something powerful and unavoidable.
The album’s first half continues the themes introduced in BLACKHOLE, focusing on attraction, emotional tension, and shared energy. While the production varies, listeners expecting IVE’s usual high-gloss pop may find this release takes a different approach. Fireworks and HOT COFFEE feel the most conventional, while Hush and Stuck In Your Head lean into stronger earworm territory. The closing moments of Hush are especially effective with how it climaxes.
The second half of the album becomes more interesting, featuring solo songs from each IVE member. Solo tracks usually allow more room for personal expression than group songs, leading to some surprising results. For those who attended IVE’s 2025 world tour, Show What I Am, these are the studio versions of the songs performed during the shows. For the rest of us who could not attend (or are not on social media 24/7), this is the first opportunity to hear them.
This is also where personal bias can start to play a role. Many listeners will naturally gravitate toward their favourite member’s song regardless of quality. For this review, I approached this half of the album with as neutral a mindset as possible. The songs that held my attention were Wonyoung’s (8), Leeseo’s (Super ICY), and Rei’s (In Your Heart).
These felt like the most natural follow-ups to the group songs and continued the intense, performance-oriented sound established in the first half of the album. They also fall within the genres and styles of music I tend to enjoy. So there is my bit of personal bias showing. The tracks from Gaeul, Liz, and Yujin are very good, but they are not quite my cup of tea within the album’s overall scope.
Of the solo songs, I would say Leeseo’s left the biggest impact. It has that grimy, bass-heavy UK garage production juxtaposed with her sugary sweet vocals. It’s a contrast that shouldn’t work, but does. Taken as a whole, the solo songs help balance the album by giving each member space while complementing the tone set by the group tracks.
REVIVE+ shows IVE keeping elements of their established sound while exploring new directions. The first half leans into heavier production and performance energy, while the second half focuses more on the members’ individuality. It may not be a flawless album, but it does broaden the group’s musical palette.
