ITZY never comes to play. With their latest mini album, ‘TUNNEL VISION,’ released on Nov. 10, the group takes their sound to a new level. The five members, Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna return as performance leaders in K-pop with music that goes deeper in concept, sound and storytelling.
From the moment the intro hits, the EP makes it clear that immersion is the main theme. They explore what it feels like to follow a single beam of light in total focus, even when that journey becomes overwhelming. The title track describes the tension between extreme awareness and complete emotional shutdown, and how ITZY chooses to keep moving forward at their own pace. The brass and hip-hop-based beat adds extra weight, while layered vocals expand the sound and create a dramatic atmosphere.
This concept carries through the entire album as it links six tracks into one emotional narrative. The message is simple. When you surrender to full immersion, your senses can overload or shut down. In ITZY’s world, that chaos becomes the spark that pushes you to rebuild yourself.
Experimenting with New Genres and Energy
Compared to earlier eras like “Dalla Dalla” and “Icy,” the energy they show now feels more refined and self-assured. They’ve been wanting to dive into new genres, and this EP finally makes that leap. They explore Afrobeats and UK Garage for the first time. They also play with hip-hop, synth pop, industrial textures and even video game-inspired hyper-pop. Each member focused on how to express each track with a different vocal style and character to match the genre shifts.
The group also shot their music video in Prague with director Yoon Seung-rim of Legion Film. The visual tells the story of shutting down your senses and then losing control as they explode back to life. With choreography inspired by Afro and hip-hop dance, sharp movements and tunnel-shaped formations, the performance adds intensity to the concept. Famous K-pop choreography teams La Chica and Kirsten helped shape the routine to heighten the experience even more.
The whole sound is so much deeper because of the heavy-hitters they brought on board. We’re talking about Dem Jointz and KENZIE joining the project. Dem Jointz has collaborated with global artists like Eminem and Rihanna, while KENZIE remains one of K-pop’s most respected producers. Their contributions helped ITZY elevate the EP and solidify its conceptual identity.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
“TUNNEL VISION”
A hip-hop and industrial-based dance track with heavy brass and layered vocals. It captures the moment you push through fear and doubt, and run toward a new goal. It also expresses how total immersion can blur or block out your senses until all that matters is the light ahead.
“Focus”
This song describes the rush of jumping toward a new objective with confidence. It carries the same mindset as the title track and expands the idea of choosing your own path forward.
“DYT”
A synth pop track with electro elements, about love that doesn’t hide or hesitate. It describes a bold kind of affection and asks the other person to show up with honesty and pride.
“Flicker”
A UK Garage song about navigating uncertainty. Even when everything feels blurry and unstable, the lyrics insist that possibility is still growing. Like a flickering light refusing to go out, this track focuses on hope and persistence.
“Nocturne”
This hip-hop R&B track dives into the feeling of being trapped in a nightmare-like emotion. It reveals that the darkness isn’t coming from the outside but is created within yourself. Real freedom begins when you recognize that truth and break out of it.
“8-BIT HEART”
A hyperpop track that uses digital metaphors to show the process of rediscovering your true self after feeling stuck in a repetitive routine. The song moves like a video game and opens up the idea of escape and rebirth.
A Year of Growth and Ambition
2025 has been packed for ITZY. They dropped ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ and their Japanese album ‘Collector.’ They also impressed fans with solo projects like Yeji’s ‘AIR,’ which became the first solo release from the group. The members met fans at festivals, fan meetings and international events. They learned from new collaborations, including their special stage with Spice Girls members Emma Bunton and Mel B on Apple TV+’s KPOPPED. The experience gave them a chance to grow with the guidance and advice of living pop legends.
Even with a full schedule, their motivation remains rooted in MIDZY (ITZY’s fans). They continue to take risks because they trust their fans to stand behind them. That determination is now leading them into 2026 with more music and their third world tour, which is scheduled to kick off in Seoul at Jamsil Indoor Stadium. More dates will be announced soon.
Why ‘TUNNEL VISION’ Matters
ITZY opens a brand new chapter with this release. This is not just about style or concept change. It’s about maturity, self-direction and finding purpose through immersion. They challenge the idea that tunnel vision is narrow. In this album, it becomes the key to self-discovery. They want listeners to gain confidence and feel energized by chasing their own goals with fearless focus.
Which track on ‘TUNNEL VISION’ grabbed your senses first? Drop your pick in the comments below or on Instagram and Twitter/X!
FOLLOW ITZY ON THEIR SOCIALS
INSTAGRAM • TWITTER/X • JAPAN TWITTER/X • TIKTOK • FACEBOOK • SPOTIFY • YOUTUBE
Featured Image Credit: JYP Entertainment Official Website
