[ALBUM REVIEW] BLACKPINK - KILL THIS LOVE - The 2Nd Mini Album

Pardon me and my lateness to reviewing albums, but I really wanted to cover some of the standout music that has dropped within 2019 before catching on to the current releases! On this review, we will be looking back at BLACKPINK's highly anticipated 2nd mini album titled 'KILL THIS LOVE' which features the title track of the same name. What we can all agree on a similar note is the fact that BLACKPINK's number of songs are growing, as this album blessed us with 4 new songs (including the title track). The album also contains a remix of their smash hit of 2018 '뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU)', which in my opinion is a very well executed remix.

The last time we saw Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé & Lisa were during their promotions for the international hit '뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU)'. We also got a chance to see Jennie via her solo promotions of 'SOLO' at the latter half of 2018 which also, did extremely well worldwide! Another good thing that came out of her solo venture was the promises from YG Entertainment for future solo promotions of the other three members Lisa, Jisoo and Rosé.

Kill This Love Album Cover

1. KILL THIS LOVE (Title Track)

From the enrapturing yet haunting solo teasers to the official teaser and the final music video, what everyone could simply not get their mind out of was that blaring brass melody and the girls chant "Let's Kill This Love!" It really captured BLACKPINK's fierce style within those first few seconds, a hint towards a military-style concept. As usual, we all heard that iconic 'BLACKPINK in Your Area' in the intro before the song launches into a hip-hop infused verse by Jennie. Her verse itself was quite powerful and dramatic, as is the rest of the song when the two vocalists Rosé & Jisoo were highlighted in the pre-chorus.

I really loved Rosé & Jisoo's parts in the song, solely because I find them quite underrated in the group but also because of the beautiful instrumental behind their superb vocals. I literally got goosebumps. If you listen closely during the first-half, you can hear the gorgeous lead guitar and piano and in the second half of the pre-chorus, you can hear a beautiful flute melody backed by drum rolls that really captured the essence of the lyrics.

We also heard the certainly electrifying blare of the horns in the chorus, though compared to the rest of the song was a little mediocre in my opinion, like they could have done better. I also thought that in some aspects of the song it was kind of layered with too many sounds that overwhelmed the senses.

The extended pre-chorus followed after the fierce hip-hop verse was two worlds apart that it lost the flow of the track and failed to make the chorus drop in a way that induced goosebumps. And It sounded quite similar to the chorus and beat-drop in '뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU)', probably because its a signature style of YG producer and the mind behind all YG hits Teddy Park.

The ending, however, was my favorite part. Usually, as noticed in many of Park's production, he always adds a beat-drop after the bridge of the song. And this time, we get this military-esque drum roll that brings the song back full circle.

I'm sure we can all agree on this: YG knows how to make their music videos stand out a heck of a lot from all the other kpop MV's. Each set looked amazing, each capturing the whole concept in one go. The coolest set had to be the massive bear-trap set (It kinda looked like a heart....Kill this love.....get it? I'll see myself out). The sets did a great job of describing the lyrics of each verse in the scenes.

Another thing about YG is that they go all out on the costumes. There were a billion costume changes, each outfit more expensive than the last (I actually have listed them out and some are straight from the runway if you want me to make a post on that). The military concept we all felt through the roll of the drums and the blare of the trumpets came through towards the end of the music video via the girls' and backup dancers' costumes, pretty much making the ending a massive military march.

'Fierce' is how I can describe the overall performance. The ending was definitely the best part, that feeling of rush surging through the veins with its powerful noise and the sharp choreography.

Song –7/10 Music Video – 9/10 Performance – 9/10 Overall Rating – 8/10

2. Don’t Know What to Do

I didn't see the chorus coming with this one. 'Don't Know What to Do' builds up from a catchy verse to its club-esque beat drop of a chorus. It made the chorus stand out even more than it already did with its energetic kick that had me bobbing my head along and dancing mentally. This is one song that you'll remember, mainly because it centered around each member's vocal capabilities. What was even more intriguing was that there wasn't much of a rap in the track, a big change for BLACKPINK, having two strong rappers. If there was a rap verse though, I'm sure it would have made the song rise up to BLACKPINK's signature sound. (9/10)

3. Kick It

This song is within the boundaries of BLACKPINK's signature standards, with the similar formula to their title tracks. What was really refreshing about Kick It though, was the unique spin they put on the track. We get a good R&B and bass-boosted melody along with the extended chorus. Kick It has centered around the vocals, and I have to say that their vocals popped really well through the music, especially during the acoustic-infused pre-chorus. The rap in the second verse really made it all the more appealing. Finally, the chanting during the bridge was really good, and it felt as if though they filled a void that I never noticed was present. (7/10)

4. 아니길 (Hope Not)

I love it when BLACKPINK does ballads. I absolutely LOVED 'STAY' from their 2nd EP 'SQUARE TWO', so when this started playing I really fell for it within the first few seconds mainly based on the fact that we finally got another acoustic guitar-centered, delicate sound. Being used to the edge and fierceness of their usual sound, this was a breath of fresh air with some brilliant vocals. The 'Yeah Yeah Yeah' part was the highlight of the overall track in my eyes, and though it isn't my favorite out of all the tracks, it did take up a special place in my heart. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10