August Multi-Song Review (IVE, BLACKPINK, Tove Lo, TVXQ)
IVE - After Like
IVE's Love Dive has slowly grown to become one of my favorite K-Pop songs of the year. I credit this to its theatricality. Given so, After Like shouldn't work, abandoning the larger-than-life ambition of their previous single for a tightly-written disco song. Somehow, through a combination of solid hooks and decent vocal performances, After Like has wound its way into my ear. The pop chorus pairs off really well with the disco strings of I Will Survive.
Rating: 8.5/10
Purchase and listen to IVE's After Like right here!
BLACKPINK - Pink Venom
After a nearly a two-year hiatus, BLACKPINK return with... a rehash of their post Ddu-Du-Ddu-Du music. Some elements of Pink Venom work, like that incredibly fun second verse rap, and the occasional dashes of melody. Pink Venom is a song of moments, working better with its individual pieces than as a cohesive whole. Combine this with an irritating hook in every way, and the song collapses into meme-worthy territory. Ra-Ta-Ta... just why?
Rating: 4.75/10
Purchase BLACKPINK's Pink Venom and upcoming Born Pink album right here!
Tove Lo - 2 Die 4
Led by a really fun pop sample, 2 Die 4 updates the very '70s track with a shiny Y2K aesthetic and an edgy heat. While it does not live up to her No One Dies From Love, it works as a great addition to any post-apocalyptic rave playlist.
Rating: 8.25/10
Listen to and purchase Tove Lo's 2 Die 4 right here!
TVXQ - The Reflex
TVXQ handling a synth-pop break-up song? This sounds incredible! After an underwhelming main single, The Reflex is nostalgic and melodic, surging with heart with its electronic elements. I love the synth loop replayed throughout the song. Unfortunately, the melody is somewhat lacking in its force, and it fails to capture the full vocal power of TVXQ. Nonetheless, it is certainly a step up from Utsuroi.
Rating: 8.25/10
Purchase TVXQ's Utsuroi poster right here! (sorry, they don't have the album on Amazon)
I'm just pretending Pink Venom doesn't exist. I cannot comprehend it growing on Lina because it's just so... painfully basic. 😭
ReplyDeleteThe Reflex still remains solid, as well as After Like (although I still wish it had a better chorus instead of yeah yeah yeah / yooou and i).
Well, it grew on Nick, Lina, and so many other folks, I guess we just have to pretend it doesn't exist together lol.
DeleteFunny thing, After Like has been growing on me, and attribute that near fully to the multi-phase chorus. I guess as it is effectively a teenage love song, I am willing to accept those. Plus, the melody is great, so the song works for me lol!