A wobbly bridge in-between their career
The legend goes like this:
- A group of seven Kpop idols who have just finished their seventh year of activity, and are looking to start fresh, will often find themselves in a difficult situation. They may not be able to maintain the same level of quality as the past six years, and may even go downhill.
- If you’re a member of a group that is rumored to have the ‘seven years curse’, it’s best not to start anything new until you know for sure that you won’t end up in trouble in your seventh year. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a difficult situation because your previous work has left an imprint on your fans and peers.
TWICE has been through a lot in the past seven years, but they’re not going anywhere. The mini album following their contract renewal is proof of that.
Did they Talk That Talk?
TWICE’s new title track, “Talk That Talk,” is a perfect building block between the group’s first and second stage. ..
The synth-wave/80s trend that has taken over K-pop since 2020 is fun and upbeat, with its right dose of lavishing percussion and funky edges in all the right places. But thankfully, this isn’t just another synth-wave K-pop song – as always, TWICE manage to incorporate their identity as a group into the sound, making this track as unique as it is mainstream.
The retro sound on Talk That Talk is not new, but it is more subdued and less bombastic than some of the other singles in their discography. This makes the song stand out from the rest.
The song has a high energy from beginning to end, with seamless transitions between the verses. It’s not too in-your-face and doesn’t take you aback either - that’s how it should be. The vocal delivery of the members is also smooth, with their voices swinging from powerful to breezy adding to the energetic gracefulness of the track. ..
Talk That Talk is the perfect example of both the perfect TWICE title track, and the perfect K-pop title track – it’s fun, exciting, quirky, and charming. But after all, that’s exactly what you would expect from the most popular Kpop group in Korea right now.
The ups and downs of the b-sides
The title track is a strong opener, but the rest of the album is not as great. There are some good songs, but most of it is just average.
Queen of Hearts is a pop punk album that has been popular in both Kpop and Western music since last year, but it’s not an example of how to do it right. Instead, it’s an example of how to do it wrong.
Queen of Hearts is a pop punk-influenced album that can be difficult to nail down. Each song is a small step away from being corny and contrived – and this is especially true on Queen of Hearts. From the cheesy lyrics to the overly manufactured boom-clap production, the track feels more like something you would expect from a low budget Disney Channel soundtrack than a comeback by an accoladed Kpop group.
After having Basics, we move on to the more upbeat and danceable track, which is called “Funky.” This song is all about having a good time and enjoying yourself. The synths and beats are catchy and make you want to move your body, which is great for a summer day.
Next up on the tracklist is Trouble, an enthusiastic dance pop song reminiscent of early 2010s K-pop with its punchy beat and the piano melody accompanying various moments. As said, the production feels slightly dated but fits the overall sound of this album. Regretfully, the rap verse feels slightly out of place and hinders the otherwise seamless flow, but thankfully it’s only a short part and doesn’t cling to the ear. ..
Brave is a synth-wave pop song with an instrumental/acoustic background. It fits perfectly in the context of TWICE’s discography, as fun music with a soft side.
The sixth song on the EP is Gone, which - although being fun - can be a bit of a puzzling track. The production is interesting and detailed, and its approach feels almost cinematic and grand, with the opening that builds up in energy. However, the song ends up feeling stagnant when you get to the thick of it. Its energy and potential are left lingering in the air, as the track doesn’t really build off its climax in the chorus. It is not a lacklustre song by any means, but it’s not something one is likely to go back to. ..
The album closer When We Were Kids is a pop ballad with synths, a standard final song for any Kpop record. The track itself is nice and sweet, but this ‘Sisterhood of The Travelling Pants’ kind of anthem is something we have heard from the genre at least two… no, five… wait, a billion times. And TWICE are for sure big perpetrators of this particular style.
This song is not very good. It has no real musical substance and is only there for the sentimental value it has to TWICE fans.
Has the curse been lifted?
Between 1&2 is not TWICE’s most cohesive and well-crafted releases, but it is still solid and very representative of the group’s identity. All the tracks stick to the group’s signature sound and don’t break from the formula that denotes their discography, while still maintaining that freshness and enthusiasm you might discover in newer artists. ..
This album is not as cohesive as it seems. Tracks can feel a bit messy because of the track order. However, I think the mini is meant to be listened to on shuffle, as there is not enough effort put into making the transitions more seamless.
The album is a return to the sound of the band, but it doesn’t feel too dated or tired. It experiments with retro trends, but keeps in tune with the group’s sound.
Between 1&2 is a bridge between TWICE’s first and second stages in their career. It draws back to the group’s previous discography enough to remind us of what has been, but it adds some new stylistic details here and there, enough to spark interest for their future releases.
It’s not their best mini album ever, but it tells its story enough to be understood. It might not be the most sturdy of bridges, but it will get you to the other side.
