Secret are one of those second-gen groups whose output completely pre-dates this blog. Over the years, I’ve reviewed exactly one of their songs through a retrospective feature, and to be honest their discography has never done much for me. Today, two of the group’s members (Hyosung and Jung Hana) have reunited alongside new member Yebin for the group’s first new music since 2014.
Second-gen reunions are very exciting, but the music is often a mixed bag. Either the music gets compared unfavorably to past triumphs or the sound has changed so much that it hardly feels like the group at all. Ice Cream (아이스크림) does not try to replicate the retro pastiche that Secret made their name on. In fact, it doesn’t try to do much at all.
The most notable aspect of this song is its prominent sample. Those familiar strings from Vivaldi’s Spring forge much of the instrumental, set against a very beigepop sound that’s more wistful than exciting. For a moment towards the end of the track, the producers throw in a funky synth melody that adds interest, but more than anything Ice Cream is a peaceful romp through summer fields. It’s pleasant and never degrades Secret’s legacy in any way, but it also feels pretty extraneous to their discography.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Grade: C
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