Girl Power Reigns With These K‑Pop Comebacks
It’s a comeback season that’s got everyone talking. There’s Girls’ Generation, TWICE, BLACKPINK, EXID, YENA, and more. These K-Pop queens are turning up the heat with their groovy, high-energy, girl-power anthems that K-Pop fans can’t get enough of.
#1 Girls’ Generation: Forever 1
It’s been five years, which feels like a lifetime in the K-Pop world. But Girls’ Generation is back with a full album to celebrate their 15th anniversary.
Title song, Forever 1, is written and produced by SM Entertainment’s Kenzie, who was responsible for the group’s debut track back in 2007. Forever 1 is Girls’ Generation, also known as SNSD, at its best. It takes us down a nostalgic trip in the best way as it reminds us of classics like Kissing You and Lion Heart, with the members’ voices blending harmoniously over a classic pop track. It’s also a nod to the group’s song, Into The New World, which has a sampling woven into the bridge of Forever 1. Special mention goes out to the B-side, Villain, which was written by both TIffany and Sooyoung, showcasing their impressive vocals
#2 TWICE: BETWEEN 1&2
TWICE’s newest comeback, Between 1&2, is a gift dedicated to ONCEs (TWICE fans) for all their love and support over the last seven years.
Title track, Talk That Talk, is classically pop: bubbly and energetic. It’s reminiscent of familiar tracks like FANCY and I CAN’T STOP ME, quintessentially TWICE and everything ONCEs know and love about the group. The addictive, upbeat, and retro-sounding tune allows the members’ individual voices and charms to shine brightly.
Listen out for B-side, Basics. The conversational style rap intertwined with the girls’ dream-like vocals keep this ’90s-inspired pop song light and smooth.
BLACKPINK’s finally back with their second studio album, BORN PINK.
While the pre-released single Pink Venom is classic BLACKPINK with its signature hip-hop beats and catchy hook, title track Shut Down surprises with a new sound profile. The song samples Niccolo Paganini’s La Campanella, layered with a trap-laced hip-hop groove and the quartet’s swagger-filled raps — yes, even vocalists Rosé and Jisoo rap on this.
And of course, we can’t forget B-sides Yeah, Yeah, Yeah and The Happiest Girl. The former, which Jisoo and Rosé have contributed lyrics to, is light and bouncy with ’80s disco pop-synth sounds, while the latter is a sentimental ballad that truly allows the girls’ vocals to shine over its soft piano track.
Another lovely surprise that international BLINKs (BLACKPINK fans) will love is how four of the eight tracks, Typa Girl, Hard to Love, The Happiest Girl, and Tally, are sung entirely in English.
EXID is delighting LEGGOs (EXID fans) with the release of the group’s newest comeback, X. In celebration of the group’s 10th debut anniversary, this single album also marks the first full-group comeback with all five members, Solji, LE, Hani, Hyerin, and Jeonghwa, in three years.
Title track, Fire, which comes in both Korean and English versions, is an experimental but charismatic bop that’ll get fans on the dance floor, while B-side track IDK (I Don’t Know) is a foray into nu-disco, and LEGGO is a dance-pop dedication to their fans.
#5 YENA: SMARTPHONE
From the get-go, title track, SMARTPHONE is pure bubblegum pop-rock, full of optimistic energy and truly YENA personified. While it’s reminiscent of the former IZ*ONE member’s debut track, SMILEY, it still holds its own with a retro-tinged sound that’s infused with synth beats and electric guitar riffs.
#6 IVE: After Like
Hot on the heels of ELEVEN and LOVE DIVE comes IVE’s newest comeback single, After Like. The track is a bold tune, which samples the Gloria Gaynor disco classic, I Will Survive.
In spite of the sample, After Like sounds new and fresh with deep house beats and punchy rap solos from Rei and Gaeul.
#7 Billlie: the Billage of perception: chapter two
If you’re not into sweet, candy-like pop bops, then Billlie’s RING ma Bell (what a wonderful world) will be right up your alley. This punk-rock track has larger-than-life energy, and ticks all the boxes with its steady drum beats and electric guitar sounds. The group’s solid vocals also help bring out the angst-filled emotions that everyone loves from a good rock tune.
