By Michael Luce

(G)I-DLE has been remarkably consistent with releases compared to many other musical groups, having released at least one EP or album per year. 2024 follows that trend with the group’s second album, appropriately titled 2, releasing in January of this year. While it’s rooted in their signature quirky fusion style, I do think the album is far from (G)I-DLE’s best work.

Before I dive into the music, there’s one elephant in the room I’d like to address: the cover. I'm not one to comment on album art very often, but what happened? In a genre where visual appeal and aesthetic are so integral, I am sincerely confused by the late-2000s"Now That's What I Call Music" style. (G)I-dle are usually quite involved with their presentation too, so I can’t even blame a rogue executive here.

The opening track “Super Lady” is your typical energy-driven K-pop dance number. The vocal range here is truly impressive, and the switchup after the second chorus – where the rock/pop beat gives way to a borderline-tekstyle/Melbourne bounce strutting pulse – is immensely satisfying. Part of me wonders if the cliché first half is intentional so this sudden subversion of expectations can hit even harder.

Bookending the album, “Wife” is another highlight simply due to how weird it is. The beat is both stilting and driving, and the vocal delivery is fantastically over-the-top without dipping too far into parody. It’s a girl empowerment anthem dripping with sarcasm and irony: the kind of ‘strut your stuff’ anthem that works for (G)I-DLE. Its placement as the album closer is a bit odd, but it’s not like any of the other songs are in a logical order, so whatever I guess.

I was disappointed to see “7days” is one of the least popular tracks from the album, as it immediately became my favorite (and not just because the chorus bears resemblance to one of my favorite Charli XCX songs). The song’s subtle breakbeat brings a cuteness, and the guitars panning back and forth deepen the vibe into more nostalgic, wistful territory. Each members’ voice is well showcased here, and the atmospheric backing is extremely comforting. I only wish the production was a bit warmer as the lush sound loses out to some pretty extreme compression at times.

Despite the many strong concepts across 2, there are just as many moments where it feels a bit forced. Like countless girl groups before them, (G)I-DLE falls into the trap of leaning on an edgier, seductive sound that just doesn't quite fit them. This darker sound falls flat on tracks like “Doll” and “Rollie,” which confuses me because (G)I-DLE can absolutely pull a similar style off (such as on “Wife”). However, these songs lack the bite or authenticity to feel like more than pastiche, and the genericism of other songs like “Vision” don’t strengthen the case. Also, while I think criticizing groups for idiosyncrasies in a language they don’t speak is a cheap shot, the lyrics across these tracks unfortunately leave a lot to be desired.

Overall, while 2 certainly has moxie, it also leaves a lot to be desired. I wouldn’t normally be so critical of some of the low points here, but this release was marketed and hyped up as an album instead of another EP, and there are certain expectations of albums that don’t apply to EPs. I just don’t feel like these songs needed that kind of pressure on them. The release is only two tracks longer than most of (G)I-DLE's EPs, and easily could have been marketed as such. I’m all for (G)I-DLE's self-production and self-styling amidst the corporate-written K-pop slog, but this is one of the first times their ambiguity has faltered for me. I’m just not sure what they’re trying to accomplish here or what image they’re presenting. 2 isn’t bad by any means, it’s just a bit underwhelming compared to what I’ve come to expect from these girls.