After years of ready for JYP Leisure to debut their crew from 2021’s LOUD survival collection, KickFlip have been one in all my most anticipated new acts of 2025. Sadly, I haven’t been in a position to join with their music up to now. I hoped the songs would develop on me with time, but when something the alternative has occurred. There’s a really positive line between rambunctious/enjoyable/cheeky and cloying. For me, songs like Mama Mentioned lean additional towards the latter. Happily, follow-up observe Knock Knock factors a brand new manner ahead.
I’ve lengthy had a love-and-hate relationship with JYP’s musical output. The company appears to favor extremely repetitive, nursey rhyme hooks — particularly in terms of boy teams. At its greatest, Knock Knock has a cool sound harking back to EXO’s basic Growl. I just like the tight vocal harmonies that buttress the track’s hook and need they have been framed round extra participating melodies. Whereas I don’t significantly just like the refrain, the best way it’s delivered is fascinating and contemporary. Given completely different materials, it’s clear KickFlip may (and hopefully will) be a formidable rookie group.
So reasonably than spend an excessive amount of time dissecting Knock Knock, I choose to consider the track as a roadmap for future endeavors. I hope the group eases away from gimmicks and explores the extra soulful elements of their vocal line. This track works greatest in service to its groove, particularly when the vocals forge their very own rhythm.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
Grade: C+
