After a 4 year hiatus from the stage, INFINITE has finally made their long awaited comeback with their newest single, New Emotions, and their 7th mini-album, Begin. As it has been a while since we have heard from the group, here is a quick introduction to INFINITE. Starting out as a seven member male group under Woolim Entertainment in 2010, INFINITE is one of those groups who skyrocketed to fame from a small company with their sharp and synchronised choreography and hits after hits like BTD, Be Mine, Paradise, The Chaser and many more. Currently, the group is a 6 member group (consisting of Sungkyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sungyeol, L and Sungjong) under their own company, INFINITE company. We last saw the group release the single Clock in 2019.

New Emotions is seriously groovy and funky, which is pretty much on trend with KPOP nowadays. We see the funkiness and grooviness in two different forms – the vocal-like detailing in the background of certain parts of the song and via the bass guitar in the choruses. The members’ vocals add such a sleek and smooth texture to the song, which contrasts super well with the instrumentation. The opener was very ear-catching and intriguing, while the accumulation of instrumentals in the choruses gives New Emotions drive. I would have liked to see a stronger melody or a hook to take New Emotions to the next level. Though, I have an inkling that the current melody/hook is growing on me as I review the track. My biggest disappointment with New Emotions, however, is its length and how underbaked it feels without a proper ending. It kind of leaves us hanging and doesn’t satisfy accordingly. I think I am with the majority here in saying New Emotions feels a bit lackluster when compared with their past hits which had a proper climax and ending. But nonetheless, I am glad that INFINITE is back and hope that there is more comebacks in the future for this second generation and iconic group.

The music video doesn’t have an apparent plot from what I can see (at least, I think it does). Though, the flashlights, the chase scenes and the members wearing silk red tops in a construction site says otherwise. But apart from that, I found it to be a very stylish showcase of the members. L (Kim Myungsoo, for those who don’t know his stage name) steals the show, particularly during those scenes where they wear white on a black background.

Sleek and smooth movements and engaging solo moments make up this choreography, and I am all for it! While currently we are constricted to seeing what is only in the music video, you can see INFINITE’s signature sharpness and sychronisation, which is a nice call back to their earlier works.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10