BLACKPINK - 뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU)
It’s been a long time, but BLACKPINK is finally back with their first EP ever, Square Up. This mini album comes almost exactly one year after last summer's release of "As If It’s Your Last.” Square Up features four new tracks that are bound to curb BLACKPINK's loyal fans’ appetites after waiting for their long-anticipated comeback.
Their title track “DDU-DU DDU-DU” departs from their last pop release and goes full throttle hip-hop, creating their signature mix of Rosé and Jisoo's unique vocals and Jennie and Lisa’s attitude-infused raps over a trap-laden melodic beat. The music video set a new record for fastest K-pop girl group to hit 20 million views on YouTube, less than 14 hours after release.
Aside from slaying the scene, “DDU-DU DDU-DU” is also the first of their tracks to really show an attempt at concept behind their music. Their lyrics tease their dual personalities, singing “My face is kind but not my attitude… Black then Pink, we’re pretty savages,” while each member shows their idolized selves on pedestals against their hard-edged personas.
- Julie
SHINee - 샤이니 (I Want You)
SHINee’s back! Again! Somehow managing to outdo themselves, SHINee continues to celebrate their 10 year anniversary with their second single, “I Want You,” from The Story of Light, Ep 2.
SHINee themselves have stated that this album is how they view themselves, and we can hear their distinct sound and colors come through clearly with every song. “I Want You” is an energizing tropical song for jumping into the summer. Despite the genre's increasing popularity, SHINee’s “I Want You” exceeds expectations with solid vocals, catchy hooks, and expressive choreography, fully expressing the essence of SHINee.
The choreography flows with the song as the members playfully dance across the stage. They open themselves up to the audience with more eye contact and front-facing dancing. I think this is a direct answer to the public as they present themselves as who they are and how they view themselves. Perhaps it’s the slight off-center dancing during the 2nd chorus, but the choreography feels like I’m watching 5 members on stage. It’s another beautiful performance for the members and the fans as a reminder that Jonghyun is always in their heart.
Throughout the song, the members vocals shine through. As decade old idols, SHINee have mastered perfect vocal layering and compliment each other with this song. It’s so wonderful to see SHINee promoting well during this round of promotions and continue their legacy as five with every performance.
- Brianna
DPR Live - Playlist
After being wooed by the songs and music videos for “Martini Blue” and “Jasmine,” I had nothing but high expectations for “Playlist,” a single from the rapper/singer, DPR Live. I quickly threw all my expectations out the window as soon as the MV started, as this track takes a far different approach than the melancholy “Jasmine” and sophisticated “Martini Blue.”
DPR Live, an independent artist who works in collaboration with crew Dream Perfect Regime (DPR), always brings something visually stimulating and engaging to the ear. “Playlist” shows off a flashier side to the rapper, with mind bending camera tricks and a really creative use of color flashes and superimposed imagery. The killing part in this song, for me, was the unexpected piano break-down, which caught me totally off guard. The song largely dances along the tropical-funk-pop genre until a wild jazz piano cuts in and totally changes the tone of the song. Yet, it still works!
DPR Live, along with his crew DPR, pushes the envelope and then some. I’m always eager to check out their work and am usually not disappointed. Without a trace of irony, "Playlist" has landed on my playlist.
- Kerry