Crazy in Love (Itzy album)

On August 13, 2021, JYP Entertainment announced that Itzy would be releasing their first studio album titled Crazy in Love on September 24.[1] On August 31, the promotional schedule for their comeback was released.[2] On September 6, the opening trailer was released.[3] The following day, the group teaser photo for lead single "Loco" was released.[4] On September 10, the track listing was released.[5] On September 20, a highlight medley teaser video was released.[6] On September 21, the music video teaser for album track "Swipe" was released.[7] The following day, the music video teaser for lead single "Loco" was released.[8]

Crazy in Love consists of sixteen songs. The lead single "Loco" was described as a song that "expresses the strong attraction that was first felt in the style of Generation Z".[9] "Swipe" was described as a song that "sends a warning message to the person who crosses the line" with "808 drum beats, heavy bass, and melodic rap" that "flows over the retro clarinet".[9] "Sooo Lucky" is a pop song with "funky guitar sound" and "cool bass". The song lyrics delivers the message of "a miracle that you and I fell in love among billions of people".[9] "#Twenty" is a hip hop song that describing the "excitement and palpitation of having just turned 20".[9] "Gas Me Up" was described as song with lyrics that "the anxiousness just before going on stage, but believing in yourself that you would do well and return".[9] "Love Is" is a modern pop song with an "impressive message" that described "love grow a little more complicated and difficult with emotional love".[9] "Chillin' Chillin" was described as a song about "the excitement of going on a trip away from ordinary daily life".[9] "Mirror" was described as a song that "maximized its charm" with "warm message of [I am already good enough as I am]" accompanied by member's emotional vocals.[9]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[10]
IZM	[11]
NME	[12]
The Straits Times	[13]

Tanu I. Raj of NME found Crazy in Love "underwhelming" in comparison to Itzy's previous works. In a three-star review she said that the album is "conceptually and logically sound in ushering in an era of maturity for [Itzy], but we can’t help but think back about the act who first made us fall in love with them with their message of empowerment."[12] Benson Ang of The Straits Times gave the album a four-star rating, praising "catchy" and "high-energy" songs and noting "the album makes for a great soundtrack for a girls' night out."[13]

In South Korea, Crazy in Love debuted at number two on the Gaon Album Chart in the chart issue dated September 19–25, 2021.[18] The album debuted at number four on the Gaon Monthly album chart with 335,610 copies sold, becoming Itzy's highest-selling album.[19] By the end of 2021, the album surpassed 500,124 copies sold.[20] In November 2021, Crazy in Love was certified Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association for selling over 250,000 copies. In February 2022, it was certified 2× Platinum for selling over 500,000 copies. Crazy in Love reached its peak at number one on the Gaon Album Chart in the chart issue dated January 30-February 5, 2022.[21]

In the United States, the album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and at number one on the Top Album Sales chart with 22,000 sales, of which CD sales comprised 21,000 and 1,000 were via digital download. This was the group's second and highest-charting entry on the Billboard 200 after Guess Who earlier in the year and marked their first leader on the Top Album Sales chart.[22] The album debuted at number one on Billboard's World Albums and Independent Albums charts in the same week as well.[23][24]

In Japan, the album debuted at position 8 on the Oricon Albums Chart in the chart issue dated October 11, 2021.[25] The album also debuted at position 34 on Billboard Japan Hot Albums in the chart issue dated September 29, 2021.[26]

Prior to the album's release, on September 24, 2021, Itzy held a live event called "ITZY #OUTNOW COMEBACK SHOW" on Naver Now to introduce the album and communicate with their fans.[27]

Credits adapted from Melon.[28]

Studio

Personnel