BLACKPINK (as a YG project, not as Jennie, Jisoo, Rose and Lisa themselves) once again proved that they are unable to bring new stuff to the table, can get out with doing the bare minimum and the fans will eat it like it's the last portion of kimchi. It is really sad when you think about it. First of all, I know people are tired of this but I have to mention it. If you release an album, I would expect it to have more than 6 new songs. LOONA is about to drop an EP with 8 tracks (granted, one is intro and one is an English version, but still, it has 8 entries, it's an EP) and let's call things as they are, this is not THE ALBUM, this is THE EP (or THE MINI-ALBUM if you will). Second, if I hear that the name of the album is THE ALBUM, that gives me impression that THE ALBUM will move boundaries, cross space and time, define a new generation. Except, it didn't. It was yet another way to successfully build hype, as in, here you guys go you asked for it, it's THE ALBUM. And the fans ATE IT faster than ever. One million pre-orders, it's clear that BLINKs are starving and will settle for anything at this point. About THE ALBUM itself, it's nothing revolutionary and like I said, brings absolutely nothing new to the table. If anything, it's the most western thing BLACKPINK has ever done, and we know TEDDY jerks off to the western trends. However, he won't give up on his formula, even if other people are working with him. There's just an overwhelming amount of Teddyesque songs. Common baseline that runs throughout the entire song, Jennie opening, Rose and Jisoo alternating before the chorus, chorus with a single line +follow-up line, Lisa rapping, bridge with a unique musical motive, end chorus, done. We got enough of TEDDY formula to stay offended for the next 3 generations of K-pop. The fact that the fans are most excited about Jisoo getting to say "BLACKPINK in your area" tells you enough for how little people will settle and lose their heads.
Nothing to comment about How You Like That and Ice Cream because they are clearly there so this can be called an album. If you missed it, I still despise Ice Cream and How You Like That is the second best song on the album.
Pretty Savage was a decent attempt to make BLACKPINK look tough. The lyrics absolutely do not fit the girls, and it's painting this image of girls who will crush your skull, whereas they are soft mochis. "We're some bitches you can't manage"? Girl, you are literally managed by YG Entertainment, and more extensively, TEDDY. The drop is the best thing about the song, I love when Jennie squeaks for some reason, it fits her. Pretty Savage is a great song to dance to, but it feels very insincere, and no girl other than Lisa can convince me that they are THAT BITCH. I am glad Rose got her own bridge for once, the guitar flawlessly follows her voice and that type of background music is something her solo should be based on.
When Bet You Wanna started, I felt we went out of K-Pop zone, and I was right. This is okay, but ruins the cohesiveness of the album. Cardi does save the song, even though she is a feature. The Ariana Grandesque pre-chorus is something BLACKPINK simply cannot do. At least the song has a proper chorus, although I'm sure TEDDY could come up with rhymes better than "something 'bout you's taking me higher, I'm lighting your fire".
Lovesick Girls is, what could be best describe as Charli XCX and Icona Pop crossover hommage. And this would work 10 years ago, when this sound wasn't nurtured as much. So once again, BLACKPINK brings nothing to the table and to make things worse, THIS is the title track. The song that is melodically reminiscent of Don't Know What To Do, one of their B-sides. One thing I do love about this, it's perfect for Jisoo's vocal range. Maybe that's why she actually starts before Rose this time. The chorus is the best part of the song, all the girls get to song and there are finally words in a title track chorus. Well, half of it, because the other half is repeating a single phrase. But hey, it's progress.
Crazy Over You sends back in time in a good way. The 90s mixed with some sort of flute (I guess it's offensive now to say oriental, so let's skip that) works wonderfully and finally the song has multiple melodies. The chorus really takes you to a different place and that's not what I expected to happen. Unfortunately, the vocals can get somewhat annoying after a few listens with all of the "nagging in the singing" so I don't see myself listening to this repeatedly.
Take Ice Cream's baseline, add a bit of flare to it, make it RnB and get Love To Hate Me. It's a good filler track, that much can be said.
Undoubtedly the best track of the album was saved for last. This is the closest to K-Pop other than How You Like That, not because it's majorly in Korean, language plays no role. K-Pop songs always send a strong message and this song is sending a great one. The lyrics are gorgeous, powerful and leave a huge print on the listener. The simple instrumental really helps the entire thing to be delivered more effectively. Also, it brings more of vulnerable BLACKPINK which I love. STAY and Hope Not are some of my favourite K-Pop songs ever.
I have no doubt THE ALBUM will be a commercial success. Fans nowadays don't really ask for much as long as there is material released. In the end, music no longer matters, what matters is to break that BTS's record in number of views, to appear on charts at #1 then be forgotten until your next release. BLACKPINK is a successful business but the fact that girls individually are a better product to sell than the group itself is sad. YG is definitely on the decline, but fortunately whenever things get rough or a scandal threatens to throw them down, thank God we can expect a BLACKPINK comeback. As for me, I'm done. You Never Know is the only song I'll put on my playlist, and I won't try to find the good in other songs because YG is so blatant about showing that BLACKPINK is just business.
Nothing to comment about How You Like That and Ice Cream because they are clearly there so this can be called an album. If you missed it, I still despise Ice Cream and How You Like That is the second best song on the album.
Pretty Savage was a decent attempt to make BLACKPINK look tough. The lyrics absolutely do not fit the girls, and it's painting this image of girls who will crush your skull, whereas they are soft mochis. "We're some bitches you can't manage"? Girl, you are literally managed by YG Entertainment, and more extensively, TEDDY. The drop is the best thing about the song, I love when Jennie squeaks for some reason, it fits her. Pretty Savage is a great song to dance to, but it feels very insincere, and no girl other than Lisa can convince me that they are THAT BITCH. I am glad Rose got her own bridge for once, the guitar flawlessly follows her voice and that type of background music is something her solo should be based on.
When Bet You Wanna started, I felt we went out of K-Pop zone, and I was right. This is okay, but ruins the cohesiveness of the album. Cardi does save the song, even though she is a feature. The Ariana Grandesque pre-chorus is something BLACKPINK simply cannot do. At least the song has a proper chorus, although I'm sure TEDDY could come up with rhymes better than "something 'bout you's taking me higher, I'm lighting your fire".
Lovesick Girls is, what could be best describe as Charli XCX and Icona Pop crossover hommage. And this would work 10 years ago, when this sound wasn't nurtured as much. So once again, BLACKPINK brings nothing to the table and to make things worse, THIS is the title track. The song that is melodically reminiscent of Don't Know What To Do, one of their B-sides. One thing I do love about this, it's perfect for Jisoo's vocal range. Maybe that's why she actually starts before Rose this time. The chorus is the best part of the song, all the girls get to song and there are finally words in a title track chorus. Well, half of it, because the other half is repeating a single phrase. But hey, it's progress.
Crazy Over You sends back in time in a good way. The 90s mixed with some sort of flute (I guess it's offensive now to say oriental, so let's skip that) works wonderfully and finally the song has multiple melodies. The chorus really takes you to a different place and that's not what I expected to happen. Unfortunately, the vocals can get somewhat annoying after a few listens with all of the "nagging in the singing" so I don't see myself listening to this repeatedly.
Take Ice Cream's baseline, add a bit of flare to it, make it RnB and get Love To Hate Me. It's a good filler track, that much can be said.
Undoubtedly the best track of the album was saved for last. This is the closest to K-Pop other than How You Like That, not because it's majorly in Korean, language plays no role. K-Pop songs always send a strong message and this song is sending a great one. The lyrics are gorgeous, powerful and leave a huge print on the listener. The simple instrumental really helps the entire thing to be delivered more effectively. Also, it brings more of vulnerable BLACKPINK which I love. STAY and Hope Not are some of my favourite K-Pop songs ever.
I have no doubt THE ALBUM will be a commercial success. Fans nowadays don't really ask for much as long as there is material released. In the end, music no longer matters, what matters is to break that BTS's record in number of views, to appear on charts at #1 then be forgotten until your next release. BLACKPINK is a successful business but the fact that girls individually are a better product to sell than the group itself is sad. YG is definitely on the decline, but fortunately whenever things get rough or a scandal threatens to throw them down, thank God we can expect a BLACKPINK comeback. As for me, I'm done. You Never Know is the only song I'll put on my playlist, and I won't try to find the good in other songs because YG is so blatant about showing that BLACKPINK is just business.
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