{"id":6462,"date":"2024-10-29T12:36:08","date_gmt":"2024-10-29T16:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/?p=6462"},"modified":"2024-10-29T12:36:10","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T16:36:10","slug":"itzy-strikes-gold-with-lias-return-in-a-new-ep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/2024\/10\/29\/itzy-strikes-gold-with-lias-return-in-a-new-ep\/","title":{"rendered":"ITZY Strikes &#8220;GOLD&#8221; with Lia&#8217;s Return in a New EP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>ITZY started the year off strong with <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/3cm3EkNQLpKu58btSJT7fz?si=l-7JDvAyQpOSQlp4AZlnmw\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/3cm3EkNQLpKu58btSJT7fz?si=l-7JDvAyQpOSQlp4AZlnmw\">&#8220;Born to Be&#8221;<\/a> in January. While main-vocalist Lia was on hiatus, the other four members continued on performing. After nearly a year, fans were ecstatic to hear about her return in their new release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ITZY&#8217;s ninth mini album, <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/4CRfobFgSG0GOzplgTI79s?si=EzFn28XjQGqSb91HN7AMjg\">&#8220;GOLD&#8221;<\/a>, released on October 15. It features six new songs, along with five re-recorded songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ITZY &quot;GOLD&quot; M\/V\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eMk_0svqsnI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Music video for &#8220;GOLD&#8221;<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The title track <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/1dqN2j0jL4qB72CNgCdQ09?si=b626a8d589e847e2\">GOLD<\/a> brings a new sound to ITZY that I haven&#8217;t heard before. The song starts right off unexpectedly with electric guitar and drums. It calms down, then an interesting string sound is played. I knew it was definitely an ITZY song right after that. I still listened with concern, but I ended up really liking the rock aspect of this song. It&#8217;s not my favorite title track of theirs by any means, but it&#8217;s not the worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Not mention the <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/eMk_0svqsnI?si=nR8tzLWdTQqAcpHQ\">music video<\/a> complemented it perfectly. The gold concept was a feast for the eyes. As music videos can sometimes do, it made me like the song more. Also fitting the concept was Chaeryeong&#8217;s hair. When the first teasers released, her blonde locks broke the internet. She rarely colors her hair, and after three years of keeping it natural, I think it was perfect timing for the look. Overall, this was such a beautiful theme to welcome Lia back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Chaeryeong-blonde-819x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Chaeryeong-blonde-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Chaeryeong-blonde-240x300.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Chaeryeong-blonde-768x960.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Chaeryeong-blonde-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Chaeryeong-blonde-1638x2048.jpeg 1638w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Chaeryeong-blonde.jpeg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Chaeryeong of ITZY<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Imaginary Friend\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/06BeeZaS4YArThfTMu80QS?si=576a2169e184453e&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>The second track, &#8220;Imaginary Friend&#8221;, has a bit of a sombre tone. I really do love these songs that aren&#8217;t necessarily sad but have a bit of an emotional tinge. However it is a song I would potentially skip when listening.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>&#8220;FIVE&#8221; is one of my favorite tracks in this album. I love the pop vibe. The chorus is very catchy, and pretty symbolic of their group. One of the lyrics is &#8220;Four lucky clover, but nothing is better than five&#8221;. This is a reference to Lia&#8217;s place in the group. As a group of five, they were still great on their own, but the group is incomplete without her.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: FIVE\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/4up1PhmyktR9JM0fBYOF1D?si=d6a9aca53b4b4950&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: VAY (Feat. Changbin of Stray Kids)\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/1V3Zn1TUGzYui1WCVa04ES?si=da4d2be407e643e3&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>I also particularly liked &#8220;VAY&#8221;. I had no idea what to expect as it features Chang Bin of Stray Kidz. To my surprise, it really works. He doesn&#8217;t sound out of place. It has a bit of a rap vibe, and I think their voices really go well together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to six new songs, the mini album includes five songs from the previous one. These are all the songs that Lia missed while on hiatus, and they re-recorded them with Lia&#8217;s voice on the tracks. This is why they have &#8220;Final Version&#8221; in parentheses in title. Although I&#8217;m happy to hear Lia&#8217;s voice officially on the songs, I feel indifferent about the lines she covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Lia-gold-concept-photo-1-819x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Lia-gold-concept-photo-1-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Lia-gold-concept-photo-1-240x300.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Lia-gold-concept-photo-1-768x960.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Lia-gold-concept-photo-1-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Lia-gold-concept-photo-1-1638x2048.jpeg 1638w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/Lia-gold-concept-photo-1.jpeg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Lia of ITZY<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>I think most of the swaps were tasteful. Her voice fit in perfectly without standing out too much. She doesn&#8217;t necessarily take the spotlight in these new covers, but it&#8217;s a bit bittersweet. As much as she fits the parts, some lines were so much more memorable hearing the other members sing them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/7JCqPcuh7mD6DSvRhK1UGC?si=348dc86a9429446b\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/7JCqPcuh7mD6DSvRhK1UGC?si=348dc86a9429446b\">&#8220;Mr. Vampire (Final Version)&#8221;<\/a> had the most notable differences to me. Most notably was Lia covering Yeji&#8217;s lines in the second verse. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/3uI6jqO0fFBoFryc8SJOXw?si=e2833f4e3d424b16\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/3uI6jqO0fFBoFryc8SJOXw?si=e2833f4e3d424b16\">original version<\/a> without Lia, I personally loved hearing this part of Yeji&#8217;s range. She belted the notes which were very high for her. Although a minor part, I think it was signature to the song and was her spotlight moment. Meanwhile, Lia covers it here with a different, more delicate approach. It does suit her voice and we get to hear her falsetto instead. Although I do feel more nostalgic about the original, and wish Yeji kept her part, I do think Lia does that line justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-album-art-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-album-art-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-album-art-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-album-art-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-album-art-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-album-art-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-album-art-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-album-art.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>ITZY&#8217;s ninth mini album, &#8220;GOLD&#8221;<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: GOLD\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/4CRfobFgSG0GOzplgTI79s?utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I think her re-records were as tasteful as they could be without completely changing the color of the song. If she were to re-record the first verse or first chorus, that would be a different story. Conveniently, Lia often sings parts in the last chorus of their songs. That being said, she sang parts of the last chorus in <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/1jtfWC6YrXQPmMfj4oKZNJ?si=a1a1794ad6e54ec7\">&#8220;Untouchable&#8221;<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/2jAE0rQ3K4dBa4fBjR4GcU?si=04668b7cbfd247c0\">&#8220;Born to Be&#8221;<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/7JCqPcuh7mD6DSvRhK1UGC?si=3adf09126e0d4a81\">&#8220;Mr. Vampire&#8221;<\/a>. All of which sound great with her voice finishing the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One change I did really like was that she covered the high note in the bridge of &#8220;Untouchable&#8221;. Although Chaeryeong did it justice, it was perfect for Lia. If there was a single note in that song for her to sing, it was right there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-concept-2-1024x819.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-concept-2-1024x819.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-concept-2-300x240.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-concept-2-768x614.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-concept-2-1536x1229.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-concept-2-2048x1638.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Yuna, Ryujin, Yeji, Chaeryeong, and Lia of ITZY<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>All in all, GOLD was an excellent album. Lia was welcomed back with the perfect concept. In such a big season for k-pop, this EP does not fall short. I&#8217;m excited to hear more from ITZY with the five reunited.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ITZY started the year off strong with &#8220;Born to Be&#8221; in January. While main-vocalist Lia was on hiatus, the other four members continued on performing. After nearly a year, fans were ecstatic to hear about her return in their new release. ITZY&#8217;s ninth mini album, &#8220;GOLD&#8221;, released on October 15. It features six new songs, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":401,"featured_media":6497,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[16,17],"class_list":{"0":"post-6462","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-opinions","8":"tag-kpop","9":"tag-music","10":"entry"},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-concept-1.jpeg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/10\/itzy-gold-concept-1.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Kevin Daly","author_link":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/author\/kevin-daly06\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6462","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6462"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6462\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6462"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6462"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.cortland.edu\/dragon-chronicle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}