For the past few months, I’ve felt like one of the only k-pop fans who hasn’t been completely won over by new YG girl group BLACKPINK. Luckily their first comeback, consisting of Playing With Fire (불장난) and Stay, has gone a long way in reigniting my interest.
At many points, both Whistle and Boombayah felt as if they were trying too hard to become a catchphrase, which ultimately blunted their effectiveness as pop songs. Playing With Fire feels more assured in its own skin, and although its tropical house influences are decidedly trend-focused, it doesn’t feel gimmicky. Free from the pressures and expectations of debuting, the girls have dialed back the “look at me” energy and really eased into the track’s pulsing midtempo bounce. Like BTS’s most recent comeback, Fire pulls in just enough of the ultra-familiar tropical synth craze, but makes sure that everything around it is strong enough to thrive on its own. The constant bubble of electronics gives the track a supple warmth, and although the hook itself is relatively simple, it expertly matches the central instrumental refrain.
That very refrain is Playing With Fire‘s not-so-secret weapon. In fact, it completely takes over during the vocal-less final chorus. It’s not a particularly showy piece of production, but grows more addictive with each listen. Fire might not feel as big of a moment as either of BLACKPINK’s debut tracks, but the girls sound more unified than ever. There is no one standout performer here (though Lisa gets the best line during her rap verse — calling back to G-Dragon‘s 2013 song Black). Instead, their vocals intertwine seamlessly, sounding very much like the successors to 2NE1‘s legacy. If their August releases heralded them as so-called “super rookies,” this one absolutely cements that status.
Hooks | 8 |
Production | 10 |
Longevity | 9 |
Bias | 9 |
RATING | 9 |
Pingback: Song Review: BLACKPINK – Stay | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: Berry Good – Don’t Believe | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Top Three K-Pop Songs of November 2016 | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: Jessica Jung – Wonderland | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The Top 50 Best K-Pop Songs of 2016 (Day Four: 20-11) | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The Top 10 K-Pop Rookies of 2016 | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
actually i like the scence where she standing in bridge of fire and saying crack. she look like gang boss XD
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Kelab Budaya Tarian » Fourth meeting 11/02/2017
Pingback: Song Review: Winner – Really Really | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: BLACKPINK – As If It’s Your Last | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: (G)I-DLE – Latata | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: BLACKPINK – Kill This Love | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: BLACKPINK – How You Like That | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: Song Review: BLACKPINK – Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez) | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The Top Ten Best Songs by BLACKPINK | The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion
Pingback: The Top Ten Best Songs by BLACKPINK - MY MUSIC