It has been a while since ITZY’s last album, and in the wake of a series of comebacks that have disappointed fans- to the point of calling ITZY a ‘flop’ group, it was about time for JYP to really give them something that most people would love. While I did relatively enjoy some of previous releases that most K-pop fans didn’t (for example, Sneakers), I’m just the minority. Thankfully, with ‘UNTOUCHABLE’, I think it would be difficult for K-pop fans to not take them seriously.
‘UNTOUCHABLE’ has a rather commanding production, featuring a resounding and dominant brass riff that asserts its presence in the chorus, giving the song much needed spunk and grit that most of their previous releases (like ‘Cake’ and ‘None of My Business’) lacked. The verses could hold its own quite well. The chorus, while it could be melodically stronger, is still quite catchy, backed up its rather potent post-chorus that has a melodic riff of surprising stickiness. Though Lia’s presence is missed, the girls do their best to make up for absence, and Chaeryeong and Ryujin have particularly stepped up and taken on more vocal lines. Both, particularly Ryujin, sound great, and it was about time for JYP to realise that Ryujin sounds great when she sings and they should let her sing more in ITZY songs.
Nevertheless, I still think that ‘UNTOUCHABLE’ doesn’t quite reach the heights of their first 3 releases (Dalla-Dalla, ICY, and Wannabe), but it may be their strongest title track ever since. Time will tell just how it settles down and ages to the ear.
Hooks – 8
Production – 9
Vocal Delivery – 9
Overall – 8.75
K-pop Evaluated 