After years of ready for JYP Leisure to debut their crew from 2021’s LOUD survival sequence, KickFlip have been one in every of my most anticipated new acts of 2025. Sadly, I haven’t been in a position to 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. Thankfully, follow-up monitor Knock Knock factors a brand new method 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 greatest, Knock Knock has a cool sound harking back to EXO’s traditional Growl. I just like the tight vocal harmonies that buttress the tune’s hook and need they have been framed round extra participating melodies. Whereas I don’t notably just like the refrain, the best way it’s delivered is fascinating and contemporary. Given totally different materials, it’s clear KickFlip might (and hopefully will) be a formidable rookie group.
So quite than spend an excessive amount of time dissecting Knock Knock, I favor to consider the tune 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 tune works greatest 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+