[MV & Album Review] iKON � 'Return'

AKP STAFF

iKON � RETURN

Track List:

1. LOVE SCENARIO *Title
2. BEAUTIFUL
3. ONE AND ONLY (B.I SOLO)
4. JERK
5. BEST FRIEND
6. EVERYTHING
7. HUG ME
8. DON'T FORGET
9. SINOSIJAK
10. LOVE ME
11. JUST GO
12. LONG TIME NO SEE

It's been more than two years since we've seen a proper release from iKON, barring a couple singles and their Japanese promotions. But now they're back again with their second full album 'Return.' Let's take a look if it was worth the wait.

"LOVE SCENARIO" is their title track, and it's completely different for iKON. I got used to the "Dumb and Dumber" iKON, the wild and loud party songs that were all over their first album. It's not bad, but it is a bit lacking in energy. Not really what I expected from them but it does work.�

"BEAUTIFUL" is every inch a traditional pop song. There's a little rapping, but it has far more going for it in the melody department. It's okay, but it feels like filler. "ONE AND ONLY" is the sole solo tune, this one by B.I. From the "Na na nas" to the firespitting, these 16 bars tell you exactly where the energy went. B.I brings the attitude�and drops F-bombs like they're hot.�

"JERK" dials things back down. It's a soft rock tune, and I like the generous amount of raps. It's laid-back and refreshing. "BEST FRIEND" is upbeat soft rock, and there are some different vocals in here as well, almost like they started using some of their underutilized members to give the song a different texture.�

"EVERYTHING" gave me some of those "What's Wrong?" vibes. There are some similar structures, and the hook "everything" is as almost as fun to sing as "have you ever loved somebody?" There are some techno influences here, and it's a good inclusion for this song.

"HUG ME" is a reflective hip-hop tune, and is almost pleading. It kind of shows off their sensitive side, and has a warm feeling to it. A nice laid back tune that you can listen to on a lazy afternoon. "DON'T FORGET" is a power ballad. The emotive vocals are honest and clear, and it almost feels like this is where the band has made its home. It's a fairly effective transition from stripped down to guitar-heavy, and they definitely take you�for a ride. I get a lot of Big Bang "Last Dance" type vibes here.

"SINOSIJAK" is loud, EDM-inspired hip-hop. This is the kind of song that I love to hear from iKON, and where I think they excel. "LOVE ME" is more hip-hop, albeit with a somewhat mainstream, pop-fusion sensibility. "JUST GO" is sort of a soft rock style song, and there are some retro stylings as it almost sounds like a 1980s tune emulating a 1950s melody. It's interesting, and without the unique vocals of iKON the tune would be just meh. As it is, it's not too bad. "LONG TIME NO SEE" is a pop-rock number�and has as much edge to it as feel-good vibes. This is a great way to finish the album.

This is a different direction for iKON, as their sound continues to evolve. The lyrics are different, and the sound is more mellow, working in some cases as chill out music rather than something to rave to. It also shows a different face to iKON, more layers to a band that used be known more for party anthems like "Bling Bling." This is a strong return for iKON�and a welcome one at that.

MV REVIEW

The boys of iKON are missing the girl they love. So what do they do? What else? Hang out with the guys. They�take a trip through the town, in and out of doors, at a reel-to-reel movie room, and wide open lots where they can dance. The camera pans across the scene, showing them in situation after situation.

The dancing is actually quite good. They stretch and flail, and pull in again, and everyone is synchronized. It's pretty good choreo, and they did what they could with a song that wasn't entirely danceable. Apparently, they learned some new tricks since their last comeback.

As MVs go, it's a lot of fun. We can be thankful that it's not 100% cheap -- the environments don't look like facades, so there is that. Not only that, when the camera pans it's clever, because they might be sitting down or standing somewhere, and when the camera is in one place for the moment the boys are doing something else, in different outfits. I like how that looks�because it's pretty seamless.�

It's a fun video, and the camera tricks keep you from getting too bored, as you scratch your head and ask "how did they do that? All this and a pretty good album to boot.