Initial Review of ITZY “Motto”

It’s here, the new ITZY comeback “Motto” and I wanted to capture my first impressions.

Link on Apple Music -> https://music.apple.com/us/album/motto/1893520810

As I’ve written on EricJohnMusic.com before, I think the relationship between a listener and a musical work evolves over time, so my intention is to explore that by doing initial and then subsequent reflections as time passes. In this case, the project dropped today May 18, 2026, I am writing this at about 9pm Los Angeles time and the drop was at 6pm KST.

Also as I’ve described before, I think most KPOP takes at least 2-3 listens to really start to allow your brain to lock in to what is happening, and many more to fully pick up all the nuances. This one I will say I locked into upon the first listen far more deeply than many releases.

JYP is describing this as “An eight-track mini album that serves to accompany their 2026 tour” which takes a page out of rival YG’s BlackPink “Deadline” approach, though equally out of company sister act TWICE’s “TEN: The Story Goes On” in the structural style – in “Motto”‘s case three group tracks and then a solo track for each member.

I think this is a smart strategy to integrate solo releases within the group’s releases. BlackPink was simply too big and in the wrong point in their contract cycle for YG to try and keep it in house this way. With TWICE and ITZY having releases that bucket solo work for each member is effective, and they also of course have separate solo (YEJI and YUNA for ITZY so far) and subgroup releases (in the case of MISAMO for TWICE for example).

AESPA does this too with projects like “Synk: Parallel Line” and “Synk: Aexis Line” however those are ONLY solo’s and no group tracks. I actually like having both as ITZY does it. (And of course ITZY did this before, on “Born to Be”.)

ITZY has started the first half of 2026 on a less frantic release rate than they had in 2025 for sure. Last year had YEJI’s solo release “AIR” on March 10, “Girls Will Be Girls” on June 9, “Collector” on October 8, and “Tunnel Vision” November 10. !!!!!

(I will discuss again and more emphatically the completely irritating way JYP treats Japanese releases – in this case “Collector” – like they exist in a separate universe not worthy of incorporation into tours anywhere except Japan. They do this with TWICE also, and for TWICE to me the Japan releases were their strongest in the last two years both years. The way JYP handles this is terrible.)

Having said all that (which was more than a little) – I love “Motto”. Great album.

The track “Motto” (track 1) is super retro is a lovely way. I get some disco era nostalgic vibe but it’s not a disco track, it’s just a classic sound done really well.

Track 2 “Glitch” is quite a contrast in that now you are in the future/present, possible inside the matrix.

“you And I” (Track 3) is sort of ITZY’s recent-aespa-era track, which is fine. Pretty stripped down, vocals and sound effects dominate it. Right now I’ll say interesting.

Like with Heejin in ARTMS, I prefer YEJI when she rocks out (“Crown On My Head”) and “Pocket” (Track 4) has enough of that when it gets to the chorus to please me. Live this should be quite good.

Track 5 “Asylum”, Lia’s song, is just fucking great. FUCKING GREAT. Immediately and upon repeat listens. And the meaning use of the word “Asylum” here is refreshing and effective. This is the standout track here easily however also ->

-> Track 6 “LOOK” is great too, and the hardest rocking song on the album. I think I would have done this song as a full group song, though RYUJIN certainly carries it off.

CHAERYEONG’s “Undefined” (Track 7) has a very nice groove, is retro-ish (though not as much as “Motto”) and is great fun to sing.

“Tangerine” (YUNA) is so sugar sweet it’s almost too much, especially on the heels of YUNA’s strong stand-alone solo release “Ice Cream” which was sweet too but more sex. I did notice on the second listen when I already expected the sweet, I was able to appreciate the shimmery intro and get into it more…. this one I’ll have to see over time.

“Asylum” immediately vaults way up on my top tracks of 2026, and in general.

Hopefully you enjoyed this first take, and this album.

I’m super annoyed ITZY hasn’t been back here to Los Angeles since the Lia-less Forum show for “Born To Be” June 11, 2024, so they need to fix that. The tour footage from everywhere else looks fantastic. Maybe now that this comeback is out they will announce North American dates.

Very best regards-
Eric John
CEO, Erotique Entertainment