The last time we heard from xikers was through their WITCH era from their House of Tricky: Watch Out mini-album. A review for WITCH is long overdue, as is the mini-album. But that is not why we are here today. This past week, xikers released their 5th mini-album, House of Tricky: Spur, with the lead single BREATHE. As you can tell by the title of this post, that is today’s focus.

I might have a theory as to why I haven’t gotten around to writing a review for WITCH just yet (aside from time being a factor). BREATHE seems to confirm this theory – xikers’ output hasn’t been the same as in their earlier days. BREATHE is a loud and textural hip-hop dance track. While crunchy, it lacks personality, something xikers’s music featured a lot of in their debut year. Instead, I find it now just feels like any other song from a male group. BREATHE‘s instrumental conforms similarly. I did like the boisterous instrumental break we get in the bridge. Some of xikers’ rapping in BREATHE is powerful and prolific. But for some of the other rappers and the entirety of the vocal line, I don’t even remember anything from them. The repetitive ‘Breathe, Breathe‘ chant also doesn’t do much for me. Overall, BREATHE is not xikers’ best foot forward, especially since we know what they are capable of.

The music video opens with a scene showing HUNTER becoming possessed by the other members, passing on their fiery charisma. From then on, everyone is literally on fire (a visual representation of that fiery charisma). We see some members developing superpowers and being on fire (which might explain why SEEUN is holding a BBQ lamb chop). Set-wise, I think the exhaust set looked cool. The plain green background also looked good, especially with the black outfits – a classic pairing.

The accompanying choreography for this comeback looks super cool. I liked the intensity and robust nature of the choreography. With the energy going into it and how it never let up, the routine looked like a workout. My favourite bit has to be the dance break we get in the bridge, serving as the peak of the entire routine.

Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10