Earlier this year, CIX’s Thunder became a favorite of many fans. I liked the song too, though it has enjoyed little-to-no staying power on my playlist. Still, its crunchy electro funk felt like a nice makeover for the group’s sound. That sense of bombast seems to be a one-off as new single Wonder You (니가 궁금해) shifts things yet again.
We’re in murkier territory with this one as an insistent synthline belies a track that’s far more reserved than expected. CIX have released great midtempo material before and there are moments where Wonder You feels as if it will become one of those highlights. But rather than build upon its strengths, the track pulls back every time I hope it would blossom. On first listen, it’s almost hard to distinguish the verses from the chorus as both are delivered with the same emphasis. This makes for a dreamlike arrangement that feels like swimming through cloudy water in search of light.
As always, stronger hooks would benefit Wonder You. If the production won’t delineate the song’s various segments, it’s up to the melodies to draw important distinctions. Instead, every element of Wonder You operates with similar intensity, making it a pleasant but somewhat flat listen. However, the guys are shirtless throughout much of the music video so I’m sure that will cancel out any musical shortcomings for a sizable portion of the audience!
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
