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Blackpink is the standout girl groups in 2018. The success of Ddu-du Ddu-du gains them more international recognition from being an endorser of Shopee e-commerce brand, holding tours in various countries, becoming cover of Bilboard magazine to having performance invitation in Coachella 2019. It is amazing to see another girl group making a massive success in the third generation of K-Pop groups.
With all of their achievements, no wonder people have great anticipation on Blackpink next comeback. The girls just released their newest album called Kill This Love on Thursday, April 4th 2019. It is another mini album with five tracks from Blackpink, which actually sucks because we want a full album for the girls! But, hey it’s better rather than a single like two years ago ;)
Despite having few discographies, Blackpink actually manages to release catchy and addictive songs. Will Kill This Love continue this tendency? Check out my review for Blackpink new mini album below……………
Blackpink follows Ddu-du Ddu-du direction with Kill This Love. Both songs have unique verses and electronic music breakdown during the refrain part. However, Kill This Love has stronger sound due to horn domination and strong beat. It sounds epic and manages to pump up the spirit as the opening song. It also relates to the song theme that talks about how Blackpink wants to end the relationship with their boyfriend.
The horn sound in Kill This Love might create a strong impression, but it sounds less engaging when appearing during refrain part. There is no other instrumental to accompany the horn sound, which makes Kill This Love sounds empty. There is no catchy hook and beat like Ddu-du Ddu-du too that could grab people’s attention. Similar problems happen during verses, which the first one does not sound convincing. Blackpink only manages to shine at second verses because the song has more exciting build up.
Fortunately, Kill This Love music video saves Blackpink. It sticks to YG Entertainment’s style of dystopian future with its various settings and bold tone. I love how the contrast between Jennie who sits in front of swans, Lisa who roams around the supermarket, Jisoo who plays archery, and Rose who cries in the car. It makes each of them stands out with their own character. Blackpink screen presence also improves although I still think the girls embody fun yet elegant vibe more than fierce. Despite its different settings, Kill This Love music video does not look messy because it sticks with red and orange tone throughout each scene.
Don’t Know What To Do continues Blackpink tradition to have a sub-title on their mini album. This is another breakup song from the girls, which they pretend to be fine after separated from their loved ones. The electronic guitar riff during verses seems fitting with the whole theme while also manages to give uniqueness to Blackpink sound. The girls explore a bit of rock music! It is a pity that they do not stick with rock sound throughout the song because the electronic music breakdown at refrain part becomes cliché. There is no climax in Don’t Know What To Do.
Blackpink takes rock sound again with Kick It and the result is much better than Don’t Know What To Do. This is because Kick It has an actual melody from verses, refrain to chanting part at the end. Kick It starts with the combination of an electronic guitar riff, strong bass sound, and drum beat, which creates interesting verses. It also emphasizes girls’ vocal and their tone sounds nice in this song that talks about forgetting a boy. Blackpink tries to add an electronic beat during the refrain part, but it only appears in a minimal form that makes the song still sounds cohesive yet unique at the same time.
Hope Not is the ballad of this album, which surprisingly becomes my most favorite tracks of Kill This Love. It is another rock inspired track since strong guitar riff accompanies Blackpink singing. The girls put their vocal in front throughout Hope Not and they do a great job. Their unique tone stands out while their emotions, especially Jisoo, feel raw, which is good for a song that talks about how it is better for them to break up with their lover.
Blackpink brings back Ddu-du Ddu-du craze with its remix version, which is the last track of Kill This Love album. It is another surprise from this album because the remix flows well. The song opens stronger than the original version with an electronic guitar and bass riff. Then it follows the usual verses, but there is another electronic music breakdown at the refrain that maintains a similar theme with its opening. It is shocking to see Blackpink ditch the catchy beat of Ddu-du Ddu-du original version. However, their decision achieves great results because this shows a wild take on Ddu-du Ddu-du. If only the song does not end in an abrupt way, it would be more climactic.
Kill This Love is a continuation of Blackpink fierce side after Ddu-du Ddu-du success with the whole break up theme and rock inspired music. I appreciate this combination, however, the execution does not always work well since some tracks have some issues with its disjointed production. I also think that this album lacks catchy factors compare to last year’s Square Up.
Overall, Kill This Love is not Blackpink the best attempt in music. The girls are capable of doing so much more. Plus, can we get a fun rather than fierce Blackpink for the next comeback? Because the girls shine more when they are having fun.
Rating: 2.5/5
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