IZ*ONE – One-reeler Act IV Review

IZONE ONE-REELER COVER

Release Date: December 7, 2020

Track Listing

  1. Mise-en-Scène
  2. Panorama
  3. Island
  4. Sequence
  5. O Sole Mio
  6. Slow Journey

Review

IZ*ONE returns with new Korean music with their fourth EP, One-reeler Act IV. Will they end 2020 on a high note? Let’s take a look at their final release of the year.

The EP’s lead single Panorama is a formulaic mish-mash of past IZ*ONE hit songs. One can hear traces of each of their singles from their flower-themed albums right down to the sound patches and arrangement choices.

Given that a song like Secret Story of The Swan was sonically different but did not set the loins of WIZ*ONE’s on fire, it’s not a surprise going back to a more popular kind of sound was the idea for Panorama.

The song is still catchy, and it has a visually stunning music video, but the overall package feels average when you consider it isn’t straying too far from their comfort zone.

When it comes to album cuts, you can probably put Mise-en-Scène in the same category as Panorama. It’s less formulaic, but the fingerprints of the same type of sound are all over the song.

When you get to the third track, the EP gets a bit more interesting. Island sounds a lot like a Japanese pop song to me. Let me clarify that I mean an excellent Japanese pop song, not the usual filler that IZ*ONE tends to be handed.

It’s bright and cheery bubblegum pop that is a stark contrast to the songs before it.

Sequence is the song that IZ*ONE has been promoting along with Panorama, and for a good reason. It’s a funky dance track reminiscent of the type of dance-pop from Kylie Minogue’s Disco album. (Listen to that album, by the way, it’s fantastic.)

Quality-wise it’s an a-side level type of song. Which undoubtedly helps in the promotion of One-reeler Act IV.

The final two songs on this EP are not as exciting. Both fit the role of being the slow-ish song amongst all the high-tempo chaos. What works best for you will depend on whether you like mid-tempo EDM or mid-tempo acoustic pop.

The final verdict for One-reeler Act IV is that it feels like it puts IZONE in a holding pattern. Outside of Sequence and O Sole Mio, there isn’t anything out of the ordinary here. Regardless One-reeler Act IV is a solid album that should quench the insatiable thirst of WIZONEs until the next time IZ*ONE makes a comeback.

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