Track Overview: KiiiKiii – Sweet Pink Magic Gap Flip Telephone

Okay-pop is well-known for latching onto a particular musical pattern (normally a yr or two late) and refusing to let go till they’ve drained the sound for all its value. That is tremendous if we’re coping with a enjoyable, malleable pattern, however turns into more and more maddening when the pattern is slim and poorly executed. It’s change into clear that hyperpop has change into this yr’s overriding pattern and I’m afraid it’s allowed the business to take pleasure in all of its worst tendencies: quick songs, little-to-no singing, flimsy/disposable ideas meant for fast memeability relatively than timeless enchantment.

To be trustworthy, I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of hyperpop and its continued presence in Okay-pop is simply deepening that feeling. Even at its greatest, I discover the style onerous to attach with. I’m a listener who prizes nice melody-writing and a fullness of sound (ideally with a powerful decrease finish), each of which appear to take a backseat right here. We’re left with tinny electronics and a bunch of chatter that solely sometimes makes an attempt a semblance of melody.

Such is the case with Sweet Pink Magic Gap Flip Telephone. This title is supposed to catch the attention and appear someway intelligent, however in actuality it’s merely kitschy for kitschy’s sake and that tends to have little or no pull. The identical might be stated concerning the track as a complete. It’s primarily a repetition of 1 musical thought (of which the sensible Why Did You Do It? by Norwegian group Kulturaften already mastered this yr. Significantly, the melodies are similar!). Quite than construct towards any notable centerpiece, Flip Telephone attracts a flat line pushed by a intentionally aloof collection of (principally) spoken vocals. It’s a two minute sound collage — satisfying and propulsive, however pure aesthetic via and thru. On one hand, it’s onerous to withstand the surging digital manufacturing. On the opposite, it’s onerous to think about such a threadbare observe retaining its impact over an extended time period.

Grade: C