Boy group NTX surprised me in the best way possible with their title track Over N Over earlier this year. That song adopted a second/third gen K-pop sound with anthemic gusto and instantly became a standout in their discography. Now, the guys have returned with more creative control and a sonic switch-up that sees them targeting a moodier sound palette.
By now, you all know that “moody” doesn’t often fit my tastes, as I find many of these songs to be more about posing and emoting than the joy of a great chorus and thrilling production. Ice Luv is indeed much smaller sounding than its predecessor, but still calls back to an earlier K-pop generation. In this case, it feels like we’ve returned to the late 2010s when genres like future bass were all the rage. It’s not an era I tend to miss, so Ice Luv faces an uphill battle right from the start.
This song is perfectly serviceable and even impressive when you consider the members’ involvement, but no melody sticks out and the fitful production makes it hard to sustain interest for long. The track simply moves along, making predictable turns until it’s finished. Without any identifiable calling card, it too easily gets lost in the boy group shuffle. I’m starting to fear that Over N Over‘s boundless energy was a one off.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
