The next album review on this blog is iKON’s 3rd studio album, TAKE OFF. It is iKON’s first album release since all of the iKON members departed YG Entertainment (their last comeback under YG was BUT YOU from last year) and signed on with 143 Entertainment. Following signing with their new company, iKON released Tantara as a pre-release single in late April, and then U and TAKE OFF as the title track and the full album (respectively) in early May. Keep on reading my thoughts on the individual songs (including the reason to why I am bumping up my song rating for the title track), all of which come together to create an album that is consistent with their previous album releases.

1. U (Title Track) –My feelings towards the song pretty much stand the same as per my original review. But upon reflection, I feel like my original score for U was a bit too harsh. Hence, I will bump up the score by one whole point. Click here to read the full review for U. (8.5/10)

2. Tantara (딴따라) (Pre-Release Track) – Click here to read the full review for Tantara. (8.5/10)

3. RUM PUM PUM – RUM PUM PUM goes for a stronghold and powerful track, featuring an experimental mix of traditional Korean instruments and modern beats that really slap. The energy that came off this and the group’s delivery of vocals and raps in RUM PUM PUM took me back to some of iKON’s previous hits that have been of that same nature. If you are a fan of iKON’s earlier works, then this track will definitely speak to you. (8/10)

4. Like a Movie (영화처럼) – The vocals really standout in Like a Movie in this soft pop tracks. The vocalists were really captivating and delivered such a strong yet emotionally charged vocals in this track. The acoustic guitar makes for a really nice backing piece and can be heard even over all the heftier instruments such as the drumming that comes into play later on. Even Bobby’s rapping had great flow and worked well with the music. (9/10)

5. Driving Slowly – Driving Slowly takes us back to the bright energy that the title track U had. However, instead of another upbeat song (which I wouldn’t complain about), Driving Slowly opts for a laid-back tone that makes the song super easy to get into. This laid-back tone is conveyed so well across through the member’s vocals and rapping, which just make Driving Slowly also super enjoyable. There was great flow in terms of melodies and it just has a summery vibe that I just want to chill to. Super easy to get into, but super hard to leave it behind. (10/10)  

6. Never Forget You (잊어볼게) – The album refocuses on the emotions with Never Forget You, which once again highlights the group’s vocals impeccably. The bridge, an example of the vocals reaching their peak, was amazing. The rapping in the first verse was a bit of a miss for me, but Bobby’s rapping in the second verse was quite well done. The instrumentation was pretty consistent throughout the track, but the instrumental break that ends Never Forget You just has the right amount of power to emphasise the emotions the members conveyed in the track. (8/10)

7. All The Way Here (여기까진가봐) – All The Way Here is the final group song on the album, and it garners mostly positive reviews from me. The instrumentation was the highlight for me. The verses feature a cool layer of guitar that I find myself thinking off after the song finishes. All The Way Here then turns into a club banger in its choruses with clean EDM beats. However, I wished the instrumental during the final chorus went further than just what we heard in the first/second runs of the chorus, as this would have kept finished the song on a more profound note to take it to the next level. The vocals and rapping were rather slight and kept a low profile, but I am not too troubled by this as it allows the instrumental to really be heard. (8/10)

8. FIGHTING (으라차차) – We enter solo territory with the final three songs on the album. FIGHTING is a solo track from SONG and he ventures into trot territory, which is an unexpected surprise to hear on an album for a hip-hop group. Trot is not my cup of tea, but I really like the electronic elements that FIGHTING features in this traditional style of Korean music. And SONG’s vocals had the right amount of rasp and throat for the genre, which makes for a riveting listen for those who enjoy the genre. (7/10)

9. Kiss Me – DK sings Kiss Me and delivers a sexy and powerful R&B track. The track itself features rock instruments to give its powerful tone. I really like the churn of the instrumental, which works super well with the R&B melodies that DK masterfully brings to life with his perfectly raspy vocals. (8/10)

10. Want You Back – The final track on the album is JUNE’s solo Want You Back. The track is quite laid back, which makes for a nice choice to ease us out of TAKE OFF. The song feels very R&B, but also features some groovy elements in the background as the song progresses. It also features JUNE’s widely known raspy vocals, which made Want You Back captivating to listen to. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.4/10