A ‘GOLD’(en) Spectrum: ITZY’s New Album Comes with Quirks

After their world tour, “BORN TO BE,” ITZY returned to the musical world with a studio album, “GOLD.” Returning with former bandmate Lia, the group was ready to show the world how golden they shine while united. 

ITZY released their second studio album “GOLD” under JYP Entertainment Oct. 15. ITZY, a South Korean girl group, is composed of five singers — Yeji, Yuna, Lia, Ryujin and Chaeryeong. 

Lead singer Lia, who has been a main member since the group’s debut in 2019, left at the end of 2023 due to mental health reasons, according to Firstpost. She came back to the group as they were recording this record. The album features six tracks and five additional songs from previous short albums and singles — re-recorded with Lia.  

The musical compilation presents a fascinating, yet uneven exploration of ITZY’s musical style, mixing various messages and themes throughout its tracklist. The album blends robust rock, belted ballads and upbeat pop. The mix-up of music sounds as if it was copied and pasted from other albums. 

The album opens with the titular track, “GOLD,” which bursts forth with an exhilarating energy. The confident anthem sets the tone with a blend of heavy rock guitar, EDM and hip-hop beats. 

“Day and night / We beaming, / blazing just like that,” Yuna and Chaeryeong sing.

Following “GOLD” is “Imaginary Friend” — a track that takes a softer approach. Introspective lyrics and mellow soundscapes create a stark contrast to the energetic title track. The instrumentals are soft and the vocals performed are soothing.  

“Call out my name in the middle of the night / When there are monsters on the ceilings / I’ll keep you safe / You know I’m your imaginary friend,” Ryujin and Yuna sing. 

“Bad Girls R Us” encapsulates the group’s rebellious spirit, pairing catchy hooks with an assertive message. Like their older songs “Wannabe,” “ICY” and “In the Morning,” “Bad Girls R Us” highlights ITZY’s original message of self-confidence. 

“​​Bad girls are us, bad girls are us / Bad girls are us, make ’em wait, no rush,” Ryujin sings. 

“Supernatural” leans into a more subdued and dreamy atmosphere, again unexpectedly shifting the tone. Mirroring the message in “Imaginary Friend” about having a supporting shoulder, “Supernatural” uses energetic pop dance vibes with a mix of soft piano keys to convey that ITZY will be there for MIDZY’s — their fandom. 

Fifth track “FIVE” continues the trend of contrasts, incorporating elements of funk while maintaining a lighthearted and catchy sound. “FIVE” incorporates a lot of heavy beat sounds and there’s a heavy focus on rap verses. The track highlights ITZY’s future plans with Lia and provides the message the group is whole once again. 

“Four is a lucky number / But nothing is better than five,” Lia sings. 

The last song on the album that isn’t re-recorded is “VAY,” featuring Changbin of Stray Kids. This collaboration brings a unique flair, blending the two artists’s styles of soft feminine sounds and strong rap to emphasize the album’s eclectic nature. 

“VAY” is blithe with loud beats and simple lyrics. The song is more for mindless dancing than focused listening. The soft vocals of Lia and Yuna smoothly blend with rappers Yuji, Ryujin and Changbin making it a quick, enjoyable listen.  

In the album’s second half, the five additional songs are re-recorded title tracks from previous albums and singles Lia wasn’t able to be part of. ITZY added (Final ver.) to the re-recorded songs, as though proving Lia makes the group complete. 

 “BORN TO BE (Final ver.)” and “UNTOUCHABLE (Final ver.)” both deliver emotional depth, yet tread different paths — one embracing empowerment while the other reflects vulnerability. 

“BORN TO BE (Final ver.)” heavily focuses on rap verses and has powerful, strong rhythms. The song is empowering and invites the listener to chant alongside its chorus. 

“I’ma say it louder (louder) / Always hit it harder/ Born to be, born to be wild and free,” the girls sing. 

“UNTOUCHABLE (Final ver.)” is similar to “BORN TO BE (Final ver.)” with its heavy reliance on rap verses, but it also has bass and interjections of electric guitar added in the background.  

“Mr. Vampire” picks up the pace again, showcasing a fun and playful side at odds with the reflective nature of the previous tracks.

This playful energy is amplified by “Dynamite (Final ver.),” bringing a disco-infused sound that is catchy, yet feels out of sync with the emotional resonance of earlier songs. 

The album concludes with “Escalator,” drawing listeners to a reflective space focused on longing and connection. With “Escalator,” the listener is left with a message — ITZY is back once again. It’s a powerful song about wanting to reach the top. 

“Don’t know how to stop / The gap gets bigger, if you covet me / Up, up, never go down/ What suits me perfectly is the crown,” Yuna sings. 

“GOLD” showcases ITZY’s versatility, blending contrasts of themes and sounds. In this album, ITZY aimed to show the audience they’re once again complete. 

Listen to “GOLD” on all major streaming platforms.