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.
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]
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 samplesBeethoven'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]
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]
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.
