Neverland - EP

WJSN, aka Cosmic Girls, is less a K-pop idol group and more an elite negativity-fighting force. To start, WJSN is an acronym for the subunits “Wonder” (Bona, Cheng Xiao, Dayoung), “Joy” (Xuan Yi, Eunseo, Yeoreum), “Sweet” (Seola, Exy, Soobin), and “Natural” (Luda, Dawon, Mei Qi, and newest member Yeonjung). Together they unleash the power of positivity with brightly colored synth-pop and Exy’s snappy rap lines. “BUTTERFLY” serves a bubbly tale of freedom and self-acceptance. “HOLA” brings anaerobic activity into the mix, with a “Shake it/We make the rules again/We don’t care!” chant break that will make arenas shake. Neverland maintains this rapid, smile-inducing pace (“Pantomime,” “Where You Are,” “Tra-La”) throughout its 22 minutes. It isn’t until “Our Garden” arrives that a restive, restorative utopia comes into view.