Cheshire (EP) explained

Cheshire
Type:EP
Artist:Itzy
Cover:Itzy - Cheshire.png
Alt:Digital cover
Caption:Digital cover
Recorded:2022
Length:12:33
Language:Korean
Label:
Producer:
  • Justin Reinstein
  • Timothy Tan
  • Joshua Leung
  • Stian Nyhammer Olsen
  • Jacob "Ontrackz" Andersson
  • Sebastian Thott
Prev Title:Checkmate
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:Kill My Doubt
Next Year:2023

Cheshire is the sixth extended play by South Korean girl group Itzy. It was released by JYP Entertainment and Republic Records on November 30, 2022, and contains four tracks, including the pre-release English-language single "Boys Like You", and the lead single of the same name.

Cheshire was a commercial success, where it debuted at number one on South Korea's Circle Album Chart with 779,525 copies sold in the first week of release, becoming Itzy's fifth number-one album on the chart. In January 2023, the EP was certified Million by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) for surpassing 1,000,000 copies sold, the group's second million-seller album.

Background and release

On October 21, 2022, Itzy released the pre-release English-language single "Boys Like You" prior to the release of their upcoming album.[1] On November 7, JYP Entertainment announced Itzy would be releasing their sixth extended play titled Cheshire on November 30, with the promotional schedule released on the same day.[2] On November 9, the first concept film was released.[3] On November 16, the second concept film was released.[4] On November 24, the track listing was released with "Cheshire" announced as the lead single.[5] The following day, the track spoiler video was released.[6] The music video teasers for lead single "Cheshire" was released on November 28 and 29.[7] [8] The EP was released alongside the music video for "Cheshire" on November 30.[9]

Composition

The opening track "Cheshire," serves as the album's lead single. It was inspired by the "mischievous" Cheshire Cat from the 1951 Disney movie Alice in Wonderland.[10] It was described as the opposite of the previous lead single "Sneakers". If the latter was more “energetic” and full of "peppy vibe and shouty delivery," then this one flirts with more darker, "subdued" instrumentals, "bold lyrics," groovy, and "sensuous" composition.[10] [11] It's characterized by a "funky" bassline and gritty electronic beats. Lyrically, it’s moved away from the "straightforward takes on love" in comparison to their past music; on "Cheshire," the group become "active players in the game of love, pushing and pulling the subject of their affections to fulfill their every whim and fancy. They almost veer into a femme-fatale approach to romance, though they are motivated by mischief (hence the Cheshire Cat inspiration) rather than more nefarious intentions."[10] Followed by the second track, "Snowy," that samples Beethoven's classical piece "Für Elise".[12] It combines with a keyboard instrumental that "emulates the sound of twinkling bells, all while instilling a dark, unsettling atmosphere."[10] The third track, "Freaky," is a R&B-pop song that takes a more "laid-back" and minimalist approach with lyrics about "shake off a persistent ex-lover."[10] The closing track "Boys Like You," is the group's first English-language song, released prior to the album. It is a pop song that incorporates punk elements, "catchy" rhythmic rap, and ad-libs. The lyrics showcase the group realizing their worth and refusing to "take back a two-timing boyfriend."[13] [14]

Critical reception

Gladys Yeo of NME praised Cheshire as "a mature update to Itzy's sound", giving the album a three-star review. In particular, she found the title track's "darker, more subdued instrumentation" appealing and saw its lyrics as a departure from the group's previous music, with a bolder approach to romance. However, Yeo criticized the pre-release single "Boys Like You" as unfitting on the album with "painfully juvenile" lyrics.[10]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for Cheshire! Year! Organization! Award! Result!
2023Circle Chart Music AwardsArtist of the Year – Physical Album (4th Quarter)[15]

Credits and personnel

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022–2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[16] 2
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[17] 13
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[18] 39
South Korean Albums (Circle)[19] 1

Monthly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[20] 28
South Korean Albums (Circle)[21] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
South Korean Albums (Circle)[22] 20

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
South KoreaNovember 30, 2022CD
Various <-- Inclusive of South Korea -->

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Itzy Return With Their First Original English Single 'Boys Like You'. Rolling Stone India. Dongre. Divyansha. October 21, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203104256/https://rollingstoneindia.com/itzy-return-with-their-first-original-english-single-boys-like-you/. live.
  2. Web site: Itzy, 30일 'Cheshire' 발매...프로모션 스케줄러 공개. Itzy releases 'Cheshire' on the 30th...Promotion Schedule Revealed. Naver. Newsen. ko. Kim. Myung-mi. November 8, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203104335/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000650376. live.
  3. Web site: Itzy, 'Cheshire' 콘셉트 필름 최초 공개..강렬한 비주얼. Itzy, 'Cheshire' Concept Film Released for the First Time..Intense Visual. Naver. Herald Pop. ko. Kim. Na-yul. November 9, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203104400/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003598025. live.
  4. Web site: Itzy, 콘셉트 소화력 최강..반전 매력으로 '컴백'. Itzy, the best in digesting concepts..'Comeback' with a twisted charm. Naver. Osen. ko. Seon. Mi-kyung. November 16, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203104500/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004740775. live.
  5. Web site: '컴백' Itzy, 마마어워즈서 타이틀곡 '체셔' 무대 최초 공개. 'Comeback' Itzy unveils title song 'Cheshire' for the first time at the MAMA Awards. Naver. Newsen. ko. Hwang. Hye-jin. November 24, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203104521/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000657168. live.
  6. Web site: 있지, 신곡 '체셔' 하이라이트 음원 공개...기대감 고조. Itzy, new song 'Cheshire' highlight sound source released... heightened expectations. Naver. Newsis. ko. Jang. In-yeong. November 25, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203104534/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0011557424. live.
  7. Web site: 있지 MV티저 공개, 화려한 비주얼로 호기심 자극. Itzy MV Teaser Revealed, Stimulates Curiosity with Gorgeous Visuals. Naver. Maeil Broadcasting Network. ko. An. Ha-na. November 28, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203104557/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=057&aid=0001705675. live.
  8. Web site: 있지, 타이틀곡 'Cheshire' MV 티저 추가 오픈..내일(30일) 컴백. Itzy, an additional MV teaser for the title song 'Cheshire' is open.. Comeback tomorrow (30th). Naver. Herald Pop. ko. Jung. Hyeon-tae. November 29, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203104618/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003601730. live.
  9. Web site: "심각해지지 마"...Itzy, 믿음이 불확실해질 때 '체셔' (쥬크박스)[종합]]. "Don't be serious"...Itzy, when faith becomes uncertain, 'Cheshire' (Jukebox)[Comprehensive]. Naver. X-port News. ko. Kim. Ye-na. November 30, 2022. November 30, 2022. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203104642/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001530581. live.
  10. News: Yeo . Gladys . ITZY– 'Cheshire' review: girl group find their footing after a year of indecision . December 16, 2022 . . December 7, 2022 . December 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221216075013/https://www.nme.com/en_au/reviews/album/itzy-cheshire-review-jyp-entertainment-3362753 . live .
  11. Web site: "심각해지지 마"…ITZY, 믿음이 불확실해질 때 '체셔' (쥬크박스)[종합] ]. 2023-07-08 . . ko.
  12. Web site: Ahn . Byung-gil . December 24, 2022 . '산타' 있지, 풍성한 선물 . July 8, 2023 . . ko.
  13. Web site: Jang . Ji-yoon . October 21, 2022 . 있지(ITZY), 오늘 영어 싱글 공개…'보이즈 라이크 유' . ITZY releases English single today... 'Boys Like You' . July 8, 2023 . . ko.
  14. Benjamin . Jeff . 2022-10-21 . ITZY Step to Greater Pop Prominence With Super-Catchy 'Boys Like You' Single: Watch the Halloween-Themed Video . July 8, 2023 . . en-US.
  15. Web site: The Artist of this Year - Physical Album Nominees. December 17, 2022. Circle Chart Music Awards. https://web.archive.org/web/20221217211718/http://www.circlemusicawards.co.kr/eng/nominees_02.php. December 17, 2022. live. December 17, 2022.
  16. Web site: Cheshire – Week 1, 2023. January 9, 2023 . HDU. hr. January 10, 2023. January 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230110134146/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-1-tjedan-2023/. live.
  17. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2022-12-19 . . December 16, 2022 . ja . December 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221216042010/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2022-12-19/p/2/ . live .
  18. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of December 7, 2022. Billboard Japan. ja. December 7, 2022. December 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221210030338/https://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2022&month=12&day=12. live.
  19. Web site: Circle Album Chart – Week 49, 2022. Circle Chart. ko. December 8, 2022. December 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221208020639/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=49&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
  20. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-12 . . January 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111053113/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2022-12/p/3/ . January 11, 2023 . ja.
  21. Web site: Circle Album Chart – November 2022. Circle Chart. ko. December 8, 2022. December 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221208025003/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=11&hitYear=2022&termGbn=month&yearTime=3. live.
  22. Web site: 2022 Album Chart. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113021606/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?serviceGbn=&termGbn=year&yearTime=3&targetTime=2022. January 13, 2023. January 13, 2023. Circle Chart. Korea Music Content Association.

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