I picked Mirae as my top rookie of 2021, but so far runners-up IVE have eclipsed them in 2022. This is due to a variety of factors. DSP Media has waited too long between comebacks, and has had difficulty building upon the futuristic theme of Mirae’s debut. But with new album Ourturn the first of a promised series, it seems that the agency has rekindled their ambition.

Title track Drip N’ Drop marks a new path for Mirae. Not only is it their strongest single since Killa. It also has the most direct member participation yet, with Khael involved in both songwriting and production. This doesn’t guarantee an improvement in musical quality, but Drip N’ Drop’s slick energy helps it pop. On one hand, this is a tried-and-true formula. I can map out the song’s structure in my sleep, down to its inevitable second verse switch-up. Yet, it’s amazing what a brisk dance beat can do for the fortunes of a track.

On its own, Drip N’ Drop’s melody is barely there. The chorus is simple and repetitive. The verses feel constrained. Yet, when the song explodes it becomes difficult to resist. If I were coaching Mirae’s team, I’d beg them to lean further into these dynamic arrangements. Killa became a highlight thanks to its blistering guitar solos and dramatic power notes. Drip N’ Drop rarely colors outside the lines, and this dulls its overall effect. But if you come into the song with realistic expectations, it’ll sweep you away with its propulsive spirit.