Amy Britton
After an antagonising two-year wait since the release of their first full-length album, BLACKPINK is back! The South Korean K-pop girl group have grown significantly in popularity over the past few years, since their Coachella performance in 2019 and members Rosé and Lisa releasing individual tracks in 2021. The anticipation for the groups’ comeback confirms their well deserved place in pop culture all over the world, but their latest single Pink Venom has received divided opinions from fans.
BLACKPINK is known for their girl crush concepts and powerful music. Pink Venom continues to help spread their message of empowerment to listeners, although the song has already conflicted their fanbase, BLINK. Some say that the track’s abrupt anti-drop is too difficult to listen to with others suggesting that it brings nothing new to the group’s discography.
Structure
Written by Teddy Park, who has been BLACKPINK’s producer since their debut in 2016, the structure of Pink Venom may not appear to be ground breaking. However, there is a clear attempt to provide fans with something new. The pre-chorus build up, driven by Rosé and Jisoo’s immaculate vocals into the anti-drop chorus is unexpected from a group that specialises in fierce dance break choruses.
“impossible to get out of your head”
Despite this, the repetitive lyrics matched with the stripped-back instrumental make the song impossible to get out of your head.
‘Unavoidable’
BLACKPINK is a group that is unavoidable and Pink Venom makes sure that this continues. The incessant chanting of the group’s name at the beginning of the track guarantees that you know who you are listening to.
Jennie’s robust presence in the first verse, matched with the lyrics of “just get your popcorn, don’t even think about getting involved” highlights that Pink Venom is not a song to prove BLACKPINK’s place in the music industry, but a track to show off the members’ confidence in the face of the hate that they have received.
“those who have taken to social media to voice their negative opinions…have missed the message behind the lyrics”
Those who have taken to social media to voice their negative opinions about the track and their members have missed the message behind the lyrics that BLACKPINK are unwavering in their talents and popularity.
Member’s Inputs
The second verse takes on a more 90s hip hop vibe with its heavy drum beats and Jennie and Lisa’s impressive flow.
Pink Venom is undeniably a track made for Jennie and Lisa’s interesting vocal colour as they are both trusted to take centre stage for both verses. Whilst Jisoo and Rosé’s importance as members of BLACKPINK is undisputable, they often fade into the background of this song and its rap-heavy soundscape.
Music Video
The final verse of Pink Venom, in classic BLACKPINK fashion, ends with a vigorous dance break and chanting vocals.
The music video sees the group dance in a line with an army of backup dancers following their lead. It is almost impossible to tear your eyes away from the screen thanks to the members’ dynamic choreography, highlighting why BLACKPINK is loved by so many.
“acts as a reminder that BLACKPINK are icons of empowerment”
Pink Venom is a track that is difficult to digest on a first listen, but it definitely has the ability to grow on the listener with its catchy chorus and addictive rap versus. Whether of not BLACKPINK had come out with a track that was wildly different from their previous releases or something like Pink Venom that feels familiar, the group would have had to deal with backlash from the public due to their unfaltering success as women in the music industry. However, Pink Venom acts as a reminder that BLACKPINK are icons of empowerment and confidence in spite of the harsh comments that they may receive.
Featured image courtesy of Lee Campbell on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
