Song Review:: IVE: REVIVE+- BLACKHOLE

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  • Release date: 2026 February 23
  • Album tracklist: 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)
  • Album runtime: 34 minutes

 Okay. Let's get this one out of the way now so that if it gets any wins, as I suspect it may, I have it already done and don't need to worry about it in the future. Congrats on the comeback, IVE!

Ah, such lovely saturation to the instrumental. There's heft to this instrumental, which immediately balances out their lovely vocals and creates quite a nice level of contrast for the song overall. There are some disruptive beats of rest to make the song responsive and bold in a way that sounds very nice for the group. I'm enjoying this one.

I love the vocal slowdown effect at the beginning. Even in spots where there is a bit of repetition, we get other things happening around the repetition. Largely, though, I'm just pleased by how strongly vocal this is, and I don't just mean how much singing there is over rapping. There are runs and belts and vibrato and some harmonization and vocal layering; essentially, everything that I want to happen in a song. I'm adding this to the playlist. I'm glad that I listened to this before I posted the monthly wrap-up because this is going on there as a favorite for the month.

I've been so spoiled this year. My goodness.

This music video is controlled but dramatic in the best way. I especially love the shot of the one member walking into the empty arena. I am a little underwhelmed by the lack of storyline here because it could have been so rich, but alas. There is some religious overtones to it, though, which is kind of fascinating. 

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