Cheshire (EP)

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
Digital cover
Digital cover
EP by
Itzy
ReleasedNovember 30, 2022 (2022-11-30)
Recorded2022
Studio
  • JYPE Studios
  • The Hub Studio
Length12:33
LanguageKorean
Label
Producer
  • Justin Reinstein
  • Timothy Tan
  • Joshua Leung
  • Stian Nyhammer Olsen
  • Jacob "Ontrackz" Andersson
  • Sebastian Thott
Itzy chronology
Checkmate
(2022)		 Cheshire
(2022)		 Kill My Doubt
(2023)
Singles from Cheshire
  1. "Boys Like You"
    Released: October 21, 2022
  2. "Cheshire"
    Released: November 30, 2022

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
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NME[10]

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 Ref.
2023 Circle Chart Music Awards Album of the Year – 4th Quarter Nominated [15]


Track listing
Track listing for Cheshire
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Cheshire"
  • Hwang Su-min (153/Joombas)
  • Jeong Ha-ri (153/Joombas)
  • Timothy Tan
  • Ciara Muscat
  • Josefin Glenmark
  • Jar (153/Joombas)
  • Justin Reinstein
  • Jjean
  • Timothy Tan
  • Justin Reinstein
3:02
2."Snowy"Jang Jeong-won (Jam Factory)
  • Stian Nyhammer Olsen
  • Julia Bognar Finnseter
  • Paulos Solbø
  • Joshua Leung
  • Stian Nyhammer Olsen
  • Joshua Leung
2:53
3."Freaky"Moon Seol-ri
  • Jacob "Ontrackz" Andersson
  • Molly Rosenstrom
Jacob "Ontrackz" Andersson2:55
4."Boys Like You"
  • Didrik Thott
  • Hayley Aitken
  • Sara Davis
  • Ellie Suh (153/Joombas)
  • Lee Joo-hee (Mumw)
  • Didrik Thott
  • Sebastian Thott
  • Hayley Aitken
Sebastian Thott3:43
Total length:12:33

Credits and personnel

Studio

  • JYPE Studio – recording (all tracks), mixing (track 1–3), digital editing (all tracks)
  • The Hub Studio A – recording (track 4)
  • Chapel Swing Studios – mixing (track 4)
  • Sterling Sound – mastering (track 1, 4)
  • 821 Sound Mastering – mastering (track 2–3)
  • Studio Nomad – digital editing (track 1)

Personnel

  • Itzy – vocals (all tracks)
  • Song Hee-jin (Solcire) – background vocals (track 1)
  • E.so (Galactika) – background vocals (track 2)
  • Jvde (Galactika) – background vocals, vocal directing (track 2)
  • Sophia Pae – background vocals, vocal directing (track 3)
  • Frankie Day (The Hub) – background vocals, vocal directing (track 4)
  • Hwang Su-min (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 1)
  • Jeong Ha-ri (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 1)
  • Jang Jeong-won (Jam Factory) – lyrics (track 2)
  • Moon Seol-ri – lyrics (track 3)
  • Didrik Thott – lyrics, composition (track 4)
  • Hayley Aitken – lyrics, composition (track 4)
  • Sara Davis – lyrics (track 4)
  • Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 4)
  • Lee Joo-hee (Mumw) – lyrics (track 4)
  • Timothy Tan – composition, arrangement, synth, bass, piano/keys, drum, producer (track 1)
  • Justin Reinstein – composition, arrangement, synth, producer (track 1)
  • Ciara Muscat – composition (track 1)
  • Josefin Glenmark – composition (track 1)
  • Jar (153/Joombas) – composition (track 1)
  • Jjean – composition (track 1)
  • Stian Nyhammer Olsen – composition, arrangement, computer programming, keyboard, producer (track 2)
  • Joshua Leung – composition, arrangement, computer programming, keyboard, producer (track 2)
  • Julia Bognar Finnseter – composition (track 2)
  • Paulos Solbø – composition (track 2)
  • Jacob "Ontrackz" Andersson – composition, arrangement, computer programming, keyboard, producer (track 3)
  • Molly Rosenstrom – composition (track 3)
  • Sebastian Thott – composition, arrangement, computer programming, keyboard, producer (track 4)
  • Goo Hye-jin – recording (all tracks), digital editing (track 1, 3)
  • Im Chan-mi – recording (track 2), digital editing (track 4)
  • Eom Sae-hee – recording (track 4), digital editing (track 2)
  • Lee Sang-yeop – recording, digital editing (track 4)
  • Brian U – recording, vocal directing (track 4)
  • Lee Tae-seop – mixing (track 1)
  • Im Hong-jin – mixing (track 2–3)
  • Tony Maserati – mixing (track 4)
  • David K. Younghyun – mixing (track 4)
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering (track 1, 4)
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering (track 2–3)
  • Choi – digital editing (track 1)
  • Mr Cho (Solcire) – digital editing (track 1)
  • Noday – vocal directing (track 1)
  • Friday (Galactika) – vocal directing (track 2, 4)

Charts

Certifications and sales
Certifications and sales for Cheshire
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[28] Million 1,008,630[29]

Release history
Release history for Cheshire
Region Date Format Label
South Korea November 30, 2022 CD
Various

References
  1. Dongre, Divyansha (October 21, 2022). "Itzy Return With Their First Original English Single 'Boys Like You'". Rolling Stone India. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  2. Kim, Myung-mi (November 8, 2022). "Itzy, 30일 'Cheshire' 발매...프로모션 스케줄러 공개" [Itzy releases 'Cheshire' on the 30th...Promotion Schedule Revealed] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  3. Kim, Na-yul (November 9, 2022). "Itzy, 'Cheshire' 콘셉트 필름 최초 공개..강렬한 비주얼" [Itzy, 'Cheshire' Concept Film Released for the First Time..Intense Visual] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  4. Seon, Mi-kyung (November 16, 2022). "Itzy, 콘셉트 소화력 최강..반전 매력으로 '컴백'" [Itzy, the best in digesting concepts..'Comeback' with a twisted charm] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  5. Hwang, Hye-jin (November 24, 2022). "'컴백' Itzy, 마마어워즈서 타이틀곡 '체셔' 무대 최초 공개" ['Comeback' Itzy unveils title song 'Cheshire' for the first time at the MAMA Awards] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  6. Jang, In-yeong (November 25, 2022). "있지, 신곡 '체셔' 하이라이트 음원 공개...기대감 고조" [Itzy, new song 'Cheshire' highlight sound source released... heightened expectations] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  7. An, Ha-na (November 28, 2022). "있지 MV티저 공개, 화려한 비주얼로 호기심 자극" [Itzy MV Teaser Revealed, Stimulates Curiosity with Gorgeous Visuals] (in Korean). MBN. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  8. Jung, Hyeon-tae (November 29, 2022). "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)] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  9. Kim, Ye-na (November 30, 2022). ""심각해지지 마"...Itzy, 믿음이 불확실해질 때 '체셔' (쥬크박스)[종합]" ["Don't be serious"...Itzy, when faith becomes uncertain, 'Cheshire' (Jukebox)[Comprehensive]] (in Korean). X-port News. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  10. Yeo, Gladys (December 7, 2022). "ITZY– 'Cheshire' review: girl group find their footing after a year of indecision". NME. Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  11. ""심각해지지 마"…ITZY, 믿음이 불확실해질 때 '체셔' (쥬크박스)[종합]". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  12. Ahn, Byung-gil (December 24, 2022). "'산타' 있지, 풍성한 선물". Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  13. Jang, Ji-yoon (October 21, 2022). "있지(ITZY), 오늘 영어 싱글 공개…'보이즈 라이크 유'" [ITZY releases English single today... 'Boys Like You']. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  14. Benjamin, Jeff (October 21, 2022). "ITZY Step to Greater Pop Prominence With Super-Catchy 'Boys Like You' Single: Watch the Halloween-Themed Video". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  15. "The Artist of this Year - Physical Album Nominees". Circle Chart Music Awards. December 17, 2022. Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  16. "Ultratop.be – Itzy – Cheshire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  17. "Cheshire – Week 1, 2023" (in Croatian). HDU. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  18. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2022. 52. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  19. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-12-19" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  20. "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2022-12-19" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  21. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of December 7, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  22. "Circle Album Chart – Week 49, 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  23. "Itzy Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  24. "Itzy Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  25. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-12" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  26. "Circle Album Chart – November 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  27. "2022 Album Chart". Circle Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  28. "South Korean album certifications – Itzy – Cheshire" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA).
  29. Accumulated sales for Cheshire:
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