IVE has officially kicked off their next era with the pre-release single “BANG BANG,” released on February 9, 2026 at 6 PM KST across major music platforms. Starship Entertainment previously confirmed the timing and rollout as the first official step toward the group’s second full-length album, REVIVE+.
From the first teasers, “BANG BANG” was framed as a bigger swing. It’s EDM/electronic at its core, but it opens with a Western swing-flavored intro—an unexpected left turn that sets up a fast, punchy track clearly built with stages in mind.
Key dates fans need on one timeline
- Feb. 9, 2026: “BANG BANG” pre-release goes live (audio plus accompanying video content rollout).
- Feb. 23, 2026: IVE’s second full album REVIVE+ drops, as confirmed across multiple reports including coverage of the group’s comeback schedule.
- After release: Additional content drops and music show promotions are expected to follow throughout the album era.
Wonyoung steps forward as lyricist
One detail fans clocked immediately: Jang Wonyoung is credited with participating in the lyrics for “BANG BANG.” It’s been highlighted in several entertainment reports, and it’s the kind of credit that hits different when you’ve watched IVE grow era by era. The lyric participation was also noted in early updates about the pre-release.
And it lines up neatly with the song’s attitude—confidence, self-direction, and tuning out the noise when people try to write your story for you.
Sound + message: EDM punch with “choose your own path” confidence
Musically, “BANG BANG” keeps its foot on the gas: energetic electronic beats, a clean EDM drive, and that Western swing intro that gives it a hook before the track even fully drops in. According to pre-release coverage detailing the track’s structure and message, the message is just as direct—move forward with an autonomous mindset, and don’t let other people’s opinions or rumors shake you.
“BANG BANG” pairs high-energy EDM with a message of autonomy: keep moving, stay confident, and don’t let rumors steer you.
Visual rollout: music video teaser and concept cues
Leading into release day, IVE also shared a music video teaser that leaned into a brighter, more colorful look for the era. Quick cuts, bold styling, and performance-ready energy did most of the talking. Now that the track is out, that teaser reads like a clear statement: “BANG BANG” is meant to build momentum straight into the album run.
Immediate response: charts and fan buzz
“BANG BANG” also sparked immediate buzz on release, with reports pointing to strong global chart activity in the hours and days that followed. Still, the loudest conversation online hasn’t just been about numbers. Fans have been zeroing in on Wonyoung’s lyric credit and how that EDM-meets-Western opening is going to hit once they start performing it, echoing the attention in post-release performance updates.
Quick scan: essential facts (for fast readers)
- Artist/label: IVE (Starship Entertainment)
- Single: IVE “BANG BANG” (pre-release)
- Release time: Feb. 9, 2026, 6 PM KST
- Album: REVIVE+, out Feb. 23, 2026
- Highlight: Jang Wonyoung participated in lyrics
- Sound bite: EDM/electronic with a Western swing intro
The runway ahead: what to watch before Feb. 23
“BANG BANG” sets the pace for the REVIVE+ lead-up. Expect the usual comeback essentials: teasers, album details, and performance-focused content once promotions kick in. But the bigger curiosity is musical: is this EDM punch with a Western-leaning start a key color of the REVIVE+ era, or is “BANG BANG” the one-off pre-release curveball before the title track changes the whole mood?
