IVE has announced a comeback for later this month. So, it is nice timing to slide in an album review for their previous comeback from earlier in the year. IVE Empathy, their 3rd mini-album, was released in February, with REBEL HEART and ATTITUDE leading the mini-album. There are four other songs on the mini-album. The best word I can use to describe IVE Empathy is ‘pleasant’. All but one had this initial impression on me. I tried to be more descriptive with some of the songs, but it was the perfect word to use for certain tracks on the album. More of my thoughts on the mini-album down below.

Their last release was April 2024’s IVE SWITCH, led by the singles HEYA and Accendio. More recently, the group released their 3rd Japanese mini-album, Be Alright, which features the single of the same name.

1. REBEL HEART (Pre-release track) – Click here for REBEL HEART’s full review. (8/10)

2. FLU – FLU is a cute pop song that likens falling in love to becoming ill. While the flu itself is not something you want to catch, I did like how IVE and the producers made this pop song sound comforting. It’s the chorus melodies that give FLU that comfort factor. Combined with the strumming guitar in the background, the pleasant bouncy beat, and solid vocals from the members, FLU was indeed a nice listen. (9/10)

3. You Wanna Cry – You Wanna Cry might sound familiar to some– the chorus samples Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody. IVE’s You Wanna Cry is about supporting those having a hard time, lending a shoulder to those who need to cry. I liked the amped up chorus, which is thanks to the rock sound that the chorus adopts. IVE sound very sweet in this song, and the simple and straightforward melodies make it sound very pure. Overall, another nice song from the group. (8/10)  

4. Thank U – Thank U is a message to their past selves, thanking them for their own growth and the maturity that they have developed since their debut. It is another nice listen from the group, with the instrumentation taking on a simple yet plain pop ballad-like sound this time around. The melodies and the vocals from all members are quite enjoyable. LIZ’s final line, “Hope you’ll cherish the six of us forever. All thanks to you“, changes Thank U slightly to address the fans, who have been part of their journey. This emphasises Thank U’s touching message even further. (7.5/10)  

5. ATTITUDE (Title Track) – Click here for ATTITUDE’s full review. (8.5/10)

6. TKO – The mini-album ends with the release’s boldest and best number. TKO finds itself exploring more of a hip-hop sound profile. There is a heavier dose of raps in TKO, but I also love how charismatic the vocals sound throughout the song. The instrumental features heavy and bolstered beats (but more so in a classical sense), Latin-influenced guitars, and cowbells, creating a more serious sound. You might think the cowbells don’t lend well to a serious sound, but IVE pulls it off effortlessly. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10