BLACKPINK - 'Square Up' Mini Album Rave

Square Up album cover (Black version - my favourite cover out of the two).

Square Up album cover (Pink version).

So, YG finally decided to bless us by giving Blackpink an album after one year of being MIA. Even though this isn't a full album, it's an album nonetheless, and I am grateful for Teddy for producing hype-worthy songs that perfectly fits Blackpink's image. 'Square Up' consists of four songs in total, and I cannot stress enough how much I love all of them (maybe I'm just too much of a fangirl haha).

If you're new to Blackpink, then try not to shake your head and roll your eyes because I'm about to go all out in introducing four queens.

Members consist of:

The oldest, lead vocalist and visual, Jisoo (aka Jichu or Chi Choo).

Main rapper and vocalist, Jennie (aka Jendeukie).

Main vocalist and lead dancer, Rosé (aka Rose, Rosie, Roseanne, Chaeyoung or Pasta).

And the youngest, main dancer, sub rapper and vocalist, Lisa (aka Lalisa, Lalice, Laliz or Pokpak).

The Songs

1. DDU-DU DDU-DU

"A kind face and an attitude that isn't

A volume twice the size hidden in a slender figure

Relentlessly going forward, not caring what other people think

When you say "black", we say "pink", we are pretty savage."

This is the title song for 'Square Up', and when I first found out about the title, my thoughts betrayed me slightly since I questioned their choice of words. But now I no longer care because I love the song. I even thought that it may lead towards the cutesy side, but I was so wrong.

Blackpink's previous comeback with As If It's Your Last showcased their 'pink' side, but they came back stronger with this one by highlighting the 'black' in Blackpink. In their behind the scenes footage, Lisa described Ddu-du Ddu-du as a level up from Boombayah, and I couldn't agree more.

The song incorporates a whistle throughout (which, of course, reminds me of Whistle, so, I was like, "Whistle 2.0?"). It's a track that features a strong trap beat, accompanied by oriental percussions while emphasising Jennie's skills in rap; her flow was shocking and I had to tell myself to get a grip. Of course, Lisa's rap was iconic too - my head was bobbing to the beat while I tried to close my mouth 'cause...

… look at her.

Ddu-du Ddu-du apparently mimics the sound of a gun being fired, which starts the race of freedom for Blackpink due to the fact that many metaphors indicating the idea of freedom and being a fighter are present within the music video. Fans have also theorised the theme of black and white, implying that the black side to Blackpink represents their real selves while white represents the image they show whenever they stand behind the cameras.

Therefore, they now have the freedom to show who they are underneath all the fame: the epitome of precious.

Including Lisa's scenes above, my favourite scenes also include:

2. Forever Young

"Let's have no regrets when today has gone by

So that time can't tear us apart, so that this moment can be eternal..."

When I first heard this song from the teaser, I thought that it was appropriate to be played at a club, so when their album finally dropped, my jaw fell slack to the ground.

Forever Young emanated 'island' vibes, which means that I think of an island party whenever I hear this song. It starts off with Jennie's vocals, gradually flowing towards the hooky chorus, introduced by some tropical drums. The sample in the background also catches the attention of the listener, making me focus more on what's happening in the background.

Due to this, I was able to hear the background vocals, and let me just say that people probably won't underestimate Blackpink's vocals when they listen closely. I could hear Jennie harmonising with herself.

Having Lisa sing in this song was an amazing idea since most haters believe that she doesn't have the ability to sing, and it was just nice to hear her vocals shine.

The part that shocked me was the fact that Jennie swore (she said the B word! *gets shocked once again*) during her rap:

"Say life's a bitch, but mine's a movie."

I have never heard any other girl group in their generation swear before, and the fact that she did just shows that Blackpink seems to be on another level. I can't handle the amount of attitude her swearing exuded.

And I get even more shocked when a little change-up happens just before the song reaches its end. It caught me off-guard and made me reminisce 2NE1's 'I am the Best' (which gets me heartbroken all over again...).

3. Really

"Tell me that you'd even pluck the stars in the sky for me. There's not much time, be good to me when I'm there

Tell me you feel nothing when you see other girls. Sometimes I want a lie that's not like a lie

The women around you are nobodies. Stop keeping them around you, and cut them out of your life

You're gonna end up coming to me anyway."

The attitude I was talking about before really shined in this song. Blackpink are basically singing about what every girl is thinking if they've fallen for a guy with a lot of options. In other words, a fuckboy.

However, they ooze a confidence that shouts that they're better than the rest, which, of course, they are. This almost seems like a warning to those that end up taking an interest in them in the future (you know, when the time comes and they're actually allowed to date...).

"Aye but I don't play with them fakes, keep it real with me."

- Lisa, 2018.

The song is chill enough for you to bob your head, but their confidence is contagious, making you want to walk with that little attitude in your step. The percussion makes it addicting, as well as the repetition towards the end.

4. See U Later

"The man that you are ain't shit, even though I gave you all of my heart, no

Your sorry rings like an empty can, now all it sounds like is a dog barking

When I come to, everything about you makes my skin crawl

I'll throw you away - recycle. The girl next to you is an idiot. I'll tell you today, I don't want you no more."

This is another song that emanates confidence and attitude, but the kind of attitude that speaks about cutting someone out from your life when they decided to walk away from you. In this song, the storyline seems to be about a romantic relationship that didn't work, or about a player. However, the guy has already moved on to someone else, or is already onto his next victim. So, Blackpink says 'fuck you' (*applauds a million times*).

"See ya later, maybe never."

When I first heard this song, I thought it'd be more calming than the rest, but then I hear the chorus and I'm shocked once again. It's a beat that still hooks you, almost reeling you in until you're trapped enough that you have to listen to the rest of the song.

I especially love the guitar in the background. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they combined an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar in the beginning, which strangely worked so perfectly.

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Overall, I have no favourite song because as it turns out, all of the songs are my favourites. This comeback was long-awaited, and they did not disappoint. I'm ready for more (maybe not 'cause I almost fainted during this one haha).

{#kpop #girlgroup #BLACKPINK #SquareUp #YG #comeback}