The Album in your area

From “Whistle” and “Boombayah” all the way to “DDU-DU DDU-DU” and “Kill This Love”, hits by BLACKPINK have been making its way to every corner of the world with enthusiastic reception. So, when their debut studio album, The Album, dropped on October 2, BLINKS (the official fandom name for BLACKPINK) went nuts and it isn’t hard to see why.

Instead of babbling on about the hype around this particular comeback and how we’re finally getting a full studio album after 84 years, this review will provide a particular BLINK’s ranking on the eight tracks that are on The Album. Forewarning that we are, by no means, experts in music. Therefore, this hot take is completely subjective. No stone throwing, please! Leave that in the Middle Ages.

Image source: BLACKPINK Official Facebook Page

8. How You Like That

While this high energy track paid tribute to previous singles such as “Kill This Love” and “DDU-DU DDU-DU”, the formula in the song didn’t sit well with many BLINKS’ ears upon first listen. You either love it or you hate it. Either way, “How You Like That” is the ultimate party anthem and a nice track to jam to.

7. Crazy Over You

This track is LSS-worthy and addictive. A typical YG song and in a good way. For any long-time K-pop fans, you will know that the entertainment company has a distinct sound or beat that all of its artists have in at least one of their songs. “Crazy Over You” highlights that specific sound with a dash of BLACKPINK’s own style of music.

6. Love to Hate Me

One of the tracks that are fully in English, “Love to Hate Me” shuts down all the haters and shows that BLACKPINK is carrying on with their lives unbothered, whether you love them or not. The lyrics, “Wake up, yeah, makeup, maybe / I need you? Nah, I been good lately” particularly stands out.

5. Bet You Wanna

This is the other track in The Album that’s fully in English. We love how flirty “Bet You Wanna” is and it does a great job of highlighting Jennie and Rosé’s vocals. Add in Cardi B’s witty rap and you’ve got yourself a notable banger.

4. Ice Cream

A fun rom-com is how we would describe this track. Released as the second single in collaboration with Selena Gomez, “Ice Cream” is a light and wonderfully mindless listen. It’s got sugary metaphors and such a catchy beat. The one thing missing to make this rom-com complete is the male (or female, #loveislove) lead chasing you for ice cream. Or something else. It’s up to you to decide.

3. You Never Know

This track highlighted EVERY single member’s vocals. Thus, its top three placement. Lisa has always rapped in songs and “You Never Know” proves that her singing voice deserves to be heard! It also relays a message of empathy and patience. Which is relevant and timely, with everyone’s obsession on social media to judge each other’s lives based on a few pictures or a mere snippet of one’s day.

2. Pretty Savage

Sassy, fierce, and unapologetic. “Pretty Savage” screamed BLACKPINK, but in a more elevated and hypnotic sense. We finally get to hear Jisoo’s very own rendition of “BLACKPINK in your area” and her pretty savage (pun very much intended) rapping. Although we do have reservations about its dance choreography. Shoutout to BLINKS who know what we’re talking about.

1. Lovesick Girls

The track that reigns over them all. Jennie and Jisoo participated in writing and producing “Lovesick Girls”, which is probably why we’re inclined to adore it. The lyrics, “Yeah, we were born to be alone / But why we still looking for love?”, remind us of a scene in Little Women (2019), where Jo expresses that a woman’s want (not need) for love does not make her talent, brilliance, or ambition any less of a person.

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All in all, each track on The Album has its own unique personality and flair that showcases BLACKPINK’s global appeal. It lets listeners know that these four artists are risk-takers and are unafraid to rally girl power all the way from Korea.

Whether you liked The Album or not, at the end of the day, music is meant to be enjoyed. There is no right or wrong when it comes to your music preference. This is a matter that we tend to forget. When we’re too caught up in who’s breaking more records or garnering more Youtube views, we focus on pitting our favorite groups or artists against another instead of remembering why we started stanning or liking them in the first place: because we enjoy their presence, we enjoy what they produce for us, and we enjoy how they are able to indirectly enrich our lives.

So, happy and mindful stanning, fellow K-pop fans! We already have enough problems in the world. Let’s not ruin it by pumping needless negativity into the complex yet wonderful world of Korean pop.

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