COLDE’s ‘ICY BABY’ Album Review: A Personal Soundtrack of Youth, Growth and Moving Forward

After three years, talented singer-songwriter COLDE returns with his fifth EP, ICY BABY, released on 14 August 2026. More than just a comeback, the eight-track EP captures youth in constant motion — emotional, restless, ambitious and always pushing forward. 

The title itself captures one of the EP's central contradictions. ICY BABY contains both COLDE's "cold" and "hot" sides — the restrained and the explosive, the reflective and the reckless, the smooth and the raw. That duality is also reflected in its three title tracks: "PULL UP," "LIFE IS A MOVIE," and "SHUT DA FXXKA AND GO."

Interestingly, COLDE presents different title tracks for the domestic and international releases. When asked why, he explained: 

"This goes hand in hand with the fact that this album holds both my cold and hot sides. The domestic release title track ended up being a slightly hotter song, and the international release title track a slightly colder one. Both are songs I love so much, and they're songs that hold the 'youth' I wanted to talk about on this album. I hope many fans will love them."

Here's a closer look at each track:

1. ICY 

The EP opens with “ICY,” a calm and jazzy R&B track that introduces the cooler, more refined side of COLDE. His smooth vocals sit naturally over the laid-back production, creating an atmosphere that feels effortless yet quietly intriguing. 

Produced with Pdubcookin, whose work spans artists from DaBaby to John Legend, the track also brings a polished international R&B flavour. “ICY” feels like the perfect opening — calm on the surface, but hinting that there is much more underneath. 

2. DRIPPY (FEAT. PUNCHNELLO)

“DRIPPY” takes a nostalgic turn, reflecting on COLDE's journey from Club Eskimo to where he is today. The wistful guitar melody gives the hip-hop/R&B track an emotional warmth, while punchnello, his former Club Eskimo member, makes the collaboration feel especially meaningful. 

The song acknowledges how much has changed, while reminding us that some parts of COLDE remain exactly the same. It is a look back without getting stuck in the past. 

3. PULL UP *title track

“PULL UP,” explores heartbreak disguised as a night out. Built around trap-soul production, COLDE sings about trying to forget a breakup by going out with friends and convincing himself that he's fine. But the more he insists he's free and unaffected, the more the emptiness underneath becomes obvious. 

The track's ending is especially striking, shifting into a more subdued mumble-rap outro as the night's distractions fade away. It's the sound of someone trying to move on before they're actually ready. 

4. GIRLS

With “GIRLS,” COLDE switches from romantic love to the love he has for his fans. The groovy R&B track features a catchy guitar melody and a playful concept, comparing the feeling of falling in love with his affection for fans around the world. It is one of the EP's lighter and warmer moments, giving ICY BABY a sense of connection after the emotional weight of “PULL UP.” 

5. DOLLAR BILLS (FEAT. KHAKII) 

A hard-hitting hip-hop track, it brings back COLDE's sharper rap delivery and lets him embrace a more confident, money-minded swagger. Khakii, a longtime Wavy artist, adds to the track's attitude. With its addictive hook and heavy beat, this is the EP's unapologetic banger — a reminder that COLDE's youth is not only about emotions, but also ambition and the confidence to chase bigger things. 

6. LIFE IS A MOVIE (FEAT. DIMO REX) *title track

Another title track, “LIFE IS A MOVIE,” takes a more reflective approach. Using futuristic synths and vocal chops, COLDE compares life to a film and wonders what we will remember when the movie eventually ends. The appearance of DIMO REX adds an emotional lift, making the song feel cinematic and overwhelming in the best way. Where “PULL UP” focuses on one emotional moment, “LIFE IS A MOVIE” steps back and looks at the bigger picture — the scenes we've lived through and whatever comes next. 

7. BIG TALK (FEAT. JJANGYOU, CHOI WONBIN)

“BIG TALK” is all about ambition. Opening with a guitar sample associated with Elvis Presley, the track immediately announces COLDE's desire to become an icon of his own era. The 90s-inspired old-school hip-hop production gives it plenty of punch, while JJANGYOU of Hypnosis Therapy and Choi Won-bin of Snake Chicken Soup bring even more explosive energy. It is bold, confident and unapologetic — exactly the kind of fearless ambition that defines youth. 

8. SHUT DA FXXKA AND GO *title track

The third and final title track is also the track that best represents the heart of ICY BABY. “SHUT DA FXXKA AND GO” delivers the album's message in its simplest form: no matter how much you stumble, break down or hesitate, keep moving forward. The drum & bass foundation, combined with live-band instrumentation, creates relentless momentum. COLDE's restrained but explosive vocal delivery makes the song feel like a pressure building until it finally has to be released. 

And this is also the track COLDE identifies as the most authentic representation of himself today. “This song is my past, my future, and my present.” He explains that whether he was in his 20s or is now in his 30s, his mindset remains similar — he would rather try something than hesitate and regret not doing it. 

That is exactly why this is our favourite track on the EP. It feels like COLDE in his most honest form: the young artist who took risks, the experienced artist he has become, and the person who still wants to keep experimenting and moving forward.

Final Verdict

What makes ICY BABY work is how naturally the tracks move between different sides of youth. “ICY” starts with introspection. “DRIPPY” looks back at the past. “PULL UP” explores heartbreak. “GIRLS” brings warmth and connection. “DOLLAR BILLS” brings confidence. “LIFE IS A MOVIE” looks at the bigger picture. “BIG TALK” pushes ambition further. And finally, “SHUT DA FXXKA AND GO” turns everything into one clear message: don't overthink it — just go.

Across the EP, COLDE proves that youth doesn't necessarily disappear with age. It can be an attitude — the courage to try, the instinct to take chances, the willingness to keep learning and the refusal to settle.