HEAT

(G)I-DLE’s first wholly English-language album *HEAT* introduces listeners less willing to engage with Korean-language tracks to the K-pop quintet—or that\'s presumably the intent behind the English-forward production. (G)I-DLE is known for writing and producing a majority of their songs. However, this is not the case with *Heat*, which brings in a bevy of Western talent—including OneRepublic lead singer Ryan Tedder, Meghan Trainor, and BTS collaborators Michel “Lindgren” Schulz and Melanie Fontana—to shape the five songs. “I Want That” serves as an introduction to (G)I-DLE for those who may be unfamiliar, pairing a synth-driven Euro-dance beat with a catchy hook: “I want the oh, my, oh, my, O-M-G/I want that right now, no B-R-B.” There’s more to dig into in pre-release single “I DO”; inspired by ’80s synth-pop, the track goes gloriously melancholic in its commitment to a lost love: “Don\'t you go falling in love/’Cause I\'ma break that shit up.” While “Flip It” is the umpteenth K-pop iteration of the “boss girl” track (“My crew so hot, and you are not”), “Eyes Roll” moves laterally to give a more memorable, third-person version of the boastful banger format (“She a work of art/She gon’ break your heart”). Midtempo pop track “Tall Trees” explores the fear that comes with falling in love (“If there\'s an axe behind your back/Just let me know”), and gives (G)I-DLE a chance to show off their vocals.