Eman Rates: BLACKPINK - The Album (Album)
I'm bringing back my Album Review Series from the old site. So here's a new one!
Now let's do BLACKPINK - The Album.
If you're new to Eman Rates.
Here's how it works
Everything gets rated 0 - 3 Tzuyus.
Because we can.
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Best BLACKPINK swag song since D4. Yes It's simple. Yes it's repetitive. But by god it has that BP presence. Jennie gruff princess. Rosie in her game. Jisoo feminine. Lisa with the rap on point. And did I mention Jennie? Hits that "Oppa Pretty Swag" magic. Eman's Title pick.
02. Ice Cream
Glorified BLACKPINK Nursery Rhyme. BLACKPINK'S worst video title. BLACKPINK is better without these awkward ill-fitting collabs. Get Selena off Zoom. This ice cream is melted.
03. Pretty Savage
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A sort of neo As If It's Your Last (not in sound but in spirit). Melding of their harder swag ethos with their newer dip into alternative. The better push into alternative/indie than LSG. Most dynamic and interesting song on the album. Though not as accessible as HYLT. Yes she's pretty. She's savage.
04. Bet You Wanna
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Despite my usual inclination to not be a fan of BLACKPINK'S collab library. This one is definitely enjoyable. My pick for their best collab. Still OG BP is superior.
05. Lovesick Girls
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BP goes indie. Has an anthemic quality about it that helps it. But it feels more derivative then Pretty Savage. Gives me a feeling of an old Fun. anthem track. Which is just.... okay. But doesn't feel like BLACKPINK.
05. Crazy Over You
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Solid dark beauty vocal track. Not inspired to say more.
06. Love To Hate Me
I'm indifferent to most of it. But Lisa's rap section over the haunting beauty of the instrumental is wonderful.
07. You Never Know
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Most emotionally resonant song on the album. Beautiful and vulnerable. "You'll never know" central chorus has an iconic weight. Love the vocal trade off between the girls. Perfect Closer. Has an epicness fitting to end. One of BLACKPINK's best recent songs. And Eman's favorite on the album.
Overall Album:
(not an average)
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BLACKPINK ventures into a more alternative/indie sound. Only one glaring miss in Ice Cream. HYLT, Pretty Savage, and You Better Know highlights. I would have switched LSG out for HYLT as title. And lose the Western Collabs. BLACKPINK is the event and that's what people are here for. In any case the highs overshadow these criticisms. Overall solid album.
