After years of ready for JYP Leisure to debut their staff from 2021’s LOUD survival sequence, KickFlip had been considered one of my most anticipated new acts of 2025. Sadly, I haven’t been capable of join with their music to this point. I hoped the songs would develop on me with time, but when something the other has occurred. There’s a really advantageous line between rambunctious/enjoyable/cheeky and cloying. For me, songs like Mama Mentioned lean additional towards the latter. Luckily, follow-up observe Knock Knock factors a brand new means 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 relating to boy teams. At its finest, Knock Knock has a cool sound harking back to EXO’s traditional Growl. I just like the tight vocal harmonies that buttress the music’s hook and want they had been framed round extra participating melodies. Whereas I don’t notably just like the refrain, the best way it’s delivered is charming and contemporary. Given completely different materials, it’s clear KickFlip might (and hopefully will) be a formidable rookie group.
So slightly than spend an excessive amount of time dissecting Knock Knock, I favor to consider the music as a roadmap for future endeavors. I hope the group eases away from gimmicks and explores the extra soulful points of their vocal line. This music works finest 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+
