ITZY Are 마.피.아. In the morning And We Heard It In The Morning

ITZY are finally back after what felt like a century with 마.피.아. In the morning and new mini album GUESS WHO.

Well, I know I have been crying a lot about wanting more ITZY but MAFIA in the morning isn’t exactly what I was hoping for. ITZY were massive rookies during their debut year, and the follow up singles really set the tone and direction for upcoming girl groups. Honestly, I didn’t really feel Not Shy that much, it barely grew on me and I still find myself listening to their first three titles more often. I feel like ITZY are really struggling to find a sound post Wannabe. Besides that the music video for MAFIA in the morning is really cool, like damn the girls have never looked better! Chaeryeon world domination when?

Source: tumblr: tuanzie

MAFIA in the morning feels like a BLACKPINK reject, it really has all the elements of your classic BLACKPINK song but it also doesn’t reach that BAMF or level of catchiness. BLACKPINK songs of recent years have been really empty but weirdly catchy and had huge growing potential, MAFIA in the morning also has that growing potential and I can positively say that after the 5th listen I am kind of feeling it. But it just doesn’t convince me, since I felt iffy the entire time leading up to the release that I won’t like it, I am not that surprised. The teasers just sounded weird, but I know this is ITZY and their songs usually grow on me – and so will MAFIA in the morning and it already is, so there is that! Admittedly, I really enjoy the pre-chorus a lot, but Yuna’s rapping? That’s a no from me, it’s just really annoying, I am not sure exactly why.

Overall, I am a bit underwhelmed and disappointed with MAFIA in the morning but catch me bopping to this like a mad woman in a couple of days. The true star of the show aka the mini-album, has to be Tennis (0:0), this is the b-side on the album for me! Sadly, SHOOT! has way too much autotune for me to actually love, love it.

ITZY I am glad you are back I just wish your comeback was better.

I’ve seen everyone and their mama trash JYP for this song but this just sounds like your typical earattack song to me. First of all, who names their song MAFIA in the morning in the first place and second of all, why are they trying to turn Yuna into a talk-rapper? Let’s not play games producers, I will not be so forgiving. I understand that the verses are supposed to create some sort of eerie, suspenseful atmosphere but they just do not work, especially without any proper melody. The rest of the song, however, I actually like. While Not Shy took some time to completely grow on me, I think this song has a particular gentle approach I appreciate right away.

Source: getawaymp3 on Tumblr

I agree with Lina that MAFIA in the morning sounds like a BLACKPINK song, but more their b-side rather than a title track, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but considering ITZY have been building their own music style it does come off as somewhat confusing – why is this the path they picked this time around? However, in general, I actually really like the pre-chorus and chorus of the song, this isn’t actually a negative review. I think MAFIA in the morning has a special feel to it, particularly during that pre-chorus buildup which evolves into a pretty solid instrumental-led chorus which works for me because of the vocal layer over it. While this isn’t ITZY at their best, I will dare say I might end up listening to this a lot more than Not Shy. ITZY are incredible performers with so, so much stage presence and charisma and I think it’s simply due to this that MAFIA in the morning sounds solid to me. However, I have to say that this song gave me some 2nd generation vibes? A bit of Girls Generation during the The Boys era, I don’t know why (this obviously being about the pre-chorus & chorus combo).

What I have to compliment is the absolutely phenomenal editing of the music video which brought this to a whole another level and made it even more enjoyable. I particularly love the shot with the white outfits as they are such a stark and stunning contrast to the dominant black and dark colour palette in other scenes. Overall, not their best but I appreciate it enough to listen to it in the future.

Header Image Source: JYP Entertainment.