Not Shy
Not Shy (stylized in all caps) is the third Korean extended play by South Korean girl group Itzy. It was released on August 17, 2020 by JYP Entertainment. It is available in three versions and contains six tracks, with "Not Shy" released as the lead single. The EP marks a growth in music production and collaboration as they tap known K-pop hitmakers such as SM Entertainment songwriter Kenzie and producers LDN Noise. art. Musically, Not Shy is a K-pop record that contains influences of pop rock[1] and hip hop.[2]
Not Shy | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | August 17, 2020 | |||
Recorded | 2020 | |||
Studio | JYPE Studios | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 19:36 | |||
Language |
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Label | JYP | |||
Producer |
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Itzy chronology | ||||
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Singles from Not Shy | ||||
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The album received positive reviews from critics, who commended Itzy's departure from themes of independence and self-love to the theme of love. Upon its release, Not Shy debuted at the top spot of the Gaon Albums Chart and went on to sell almost 206,280 copies on its first month of release in South Korea.[3] The album also charted in Japan, Poland and the United States, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
On December 25, 2020, Itzy revealed the tracklist for their English debut album Not Shy (English Version). It was released on January 22, 2021, and includes English versions of all their title tracks (Dalla Dalla, Icy, Wannabe and Not Shy).
Background and release
— JYP Entertainment shared to Xportsnews.[4]
On June 22, 2020, it was reported that Itzy is preparing for a comeback at the end of July.[5] On July 31, Itzy has dropped a preview of the physical album for “Not Shy”. On August 3 Itzy has shared their first group teaser image. On August 10, the group has unveiled the track list for the mini album “Not Shy”. The music video teaser was released on August 12. The highlight medley was released on August 16.[6] The EP was released on August 17, 2020, through several music portals including iTunes and Spotify.
Music and composition
The album zeroes in on the K-pop quintet's teenage years under the limelight while shouting out their loyal fans who've stood by them.[2] Musically, Not Shy is a K-pop record that contains influences of pop-rock and hip-hop. The EP also marks a growth in music production and collaboration as they tap known K-pop hitmakers such as SM Entertainment songwriter Kenzie and producers LDN Noise.[7]
The title track blends braggadocious hip-hop and pop production.[2] The second track "Don't Give A What", is a fun pop-rock song that has a catchy hook. The song marks as a natural progression in this feminist theme. "SURF" is a song with a funky bassline. "ID" marks a chord progression for Itzy. "Be in Love" is Itzy's first slower vocally-focused song with a guitar melody.[1]
Promotion
Singles
Not Shy was released as the lead single from the album on August 17, 2020. With total of 5 wins, 1 win on The Show and Music Bank, and 3 in the MCountdown, joining Blackpink as the girl group with most Music Show wins (13 wins) and Triple Crowns (3) in 2020. "Not Shy" also reached the top-ten in South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Itzy also became with Blackpink the first and only girl groups to chart both on Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. US Chart peaking at number 124 and 70 respectively.
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
IZM | [8] |
Billboard | favorable[2] |
Popcrush | positive[7] |
Heran Mamo of Billboard was positive in his review saying "Featuring six songs, Not Shy zeroes in on the K-pop quintet's teenage years under the limelight while shouting out their loyal fans who've stood by them. ITZY kicked off today's Not Shy release by also showing off the visual for the titular track, which proves the girls are not shy whatsoever". He also wrote that the song "blends braggadocious hip-hop and pop production".[2] Popcrush's Lai Frances considered the album marks a growth in music production and collaboration. He also appreciated their themes of independence and self-love have morphed into a coming-of-age glow-up, with the group tipping their toes into the waters of singing about love.[7]
IZM writer Seonhee Lim opined "that the song was heavily armed with sound that filled the gap, as if it contained the spirit of a young composer. The saxophone's funky rhythm dominates the whole song, and the composition that changes sharply shifts the center of gravity, adding a three-dimensional effect to the music. Overall, it is a melody that flows with power. Particularly, the part that goes from the free chorus to the chorus is smooth and plays a sufficient role to raise the expectation. The members' vocals, which are more natural than before, also play a part. However, she criticized certain factors that hinder this catharsis. The chorus 'ITZY~', which appears in the middle of the chorus, seems to be aimed at addiction, but rather, it only brings embarrassment. It feels like a forcefully fitted. In addition, EDM sounds such as'Turn down for what' and'GDFR', which were popular in the early 2010s, passed by, bringing the point of getting tired more and more in the second half".[8]
Accolades
Song | Program | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
"Not Shy" | Show Champion (MBC Music) | August 26, 2020 | [9] |
Music Bank (KBS) | August 28, 2020 | [10] | |
M Countdown (Mnet) | September 3, 2020 | [11] | |
September 10, 2020 | [12] | ||
September 17, 2020 | [13] | ||
Commercial performance
South Korea
Not Shy debuted at number one on the Gaon Weekly Album Chart with 206,280 album-equivalent units, marking their largest monthly sales and streaming figures.[14] It is Itzy's third number-one album in the country; they also became the first female artist in 2020 to more than have two number one extended plays. In its second week on the Gaon Weekly Album Chart, Not Shy fell of the chart.[15] In its third week, it rose to number nine.[16] The title track peaked at number nine, becoming the groups fourth top ten single.[17]
Other markets
In Poland the EP debuted and peaked at number 23, marking their highest ever appearance on a European chart. In the US, Not Shy peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard World Albums chart, but did not make an impact on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums.[18]
Track listing
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
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1. | "Not Shy" | J.Y. Park | Kobee, Charlotte Wilson | Kobee, earattack, J.Y. Park | 2:58 |
2. | "Don't Give A What" | Lee Suran | Lee Woo Min "collapsedone", Justin Reinstein, JJean, 엘에이촌놈들 | Lee Woo Min "collapsedone", 엘에이촌놈들 | 3:17 |
3. | "Louder" | Dr.JO | KAIROS | KAIROS | 3:22 |
4. | "iD" | MosPick, Young Chance | MosPick, Young Chance | MosPick | 3:27 |
5. | "Surf" | danke (lalala studio) | Greg Bonnick, Hayden Chapman, Cazzi Opeia, Ellen Berg | LDN Noise | 3:14 |
6. | "Be in Love" | Kenzie | Kenzie, Caesar & Loui, Cazzi Opeia | Kenzie, Caesar & Loui, Cazzi Opeia | 3:21 |
Total length: | 19:36 |
Charts
Certifications and sales figures
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Japan | — | 13,205[28] |
South Korea | — | 217,797[29] |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
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South Korea | August 17, 2020 | CD, digital download, streaming | JYP Entertainment | |
Various | Digital download, streaming |
See also
References
- "[ALBUM & MV REVIEW] ITZY - 'Not Shy'". Hellokpop. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- Heran, Mano (August 17, 2020). "ITZY Drops Third Mini-Album 'Not Shy' & Title Track's Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- "2020 Monthly Album Chart – August". Gaon Chart. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- 기사입력. "[단독]'괴물 신인' 있지, 7월 말 컴백…4연속 메가히트 노린다". Naver (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- 기사입력. "[단독]'괴물 신인' 있지, 7월 말 컴백…4연속 메가히트 노린다". Naver (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- J.K. "Update: ITZY Counts Down To Comeback With D-Day Poster For "Not Shy"". Soompi. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- "ITZY Reveal Why They're 'Not Shy' on New EP (INTERVIEW)". Pop crush. August 17, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- Seonhee Lim. "Not Shy". IZM (in Korean). IZM. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- "ITZY take their first win for "NOT SHY" on MBC's 'Show Champion'". Allkpop (in Korean). August 26, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "ITZY Grabs 2nd Win For "Not Shy" On 'Music Bank'". kpopthing. August 28, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "ITZY Gets Their 3rd Win For "Not Shy" On "M Countdown"". kpopthing. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "Watch: ITZY Takes 4th Win For "Not Shy" On "M Countdown"; Performances By Wonho, Oh My Girl's YooA, Apink's Namjoo, And More". news break. September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "Watch: ITZY Takes 5th Win And Triple Crown For "Not Shy" On "M Countdown"; Performances By Stray Kids, CLC, Wonho, And More". Soompi. September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "Gaon Album Chart – Week 34, 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- "Gaon Album Chart – Week 35, 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "Gaon Album Chart – Week 35, 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- "2020년 35주차 Digital Chart". August 22, 2020.
- "World Albums – August 29, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2020-08-31" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- "Hot Albums (2020/09/7)". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- "Billboard Global Chart 200". September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- "Itzy Chart History - Japan Hot 100". Billboard Japan hot 100. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
- "Hot 40 Singles". Official Charts. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- "RIAS International Top Charts Week 34". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on September 13, 2020.
- "Itzy Chart History - World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- "週間 アルバムランキング 2020年09月07日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- "2020 Monthly Album Chart – September". Gaon Chart. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
- "Not Shy". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2020.