BLACKPINK is the highest charting KPOP girl group ever and after a three year break, have returned with Deadline. In the time between their last album, Born Pink to Deadline, BLACKPINK members – Lisa, Rosé, Jisoo, and Jennie – have been focusing on solo activities. 

I have to say I am not disappointed with the new album and it was well worth the wait. Even though Deadline is an EP, I consider it quality over quantity.

The EP features 5 amazing songs, which are a mix of R&B, rap, pop, hip hop, EDM, and even techno. In my opinion, their sound is so addictive that once you hear it, all other music will be ruined for you because it pales in comparison.

JUMP

JUMP was their first comeback since “The Girls.” It samples “Meet Her At The Love Parade,” a 90s rave song.  It is an energetic pop fusion with 90s inspired techno and a bit of country. This is another example of them raising the bar. The song itself is about going crazy with your friends and liberation, hence “Ready to Jump?” The Jump teaser and “Watch me runnin’ up the place, I’m already stuntin’ and my girls are on the way (뛰어),” even the line, “That Prima donna, spice up your life”, holds heavy significance because part of the BLACKPINK concept is girl crush and power, and prima donna is a reference to the female lead. This song stayed true to the group’s concept and still kept it fresh. 

Go

This is an EDM anthem that combines girl crush with confidence and power. It is unapologetic in the way it uses sound and teases that their influence is not just global but universal. “March to the beat of, beat of my drum ‘Cause when I call you, you’re gonna come.” Just watching the video is like nothing I’ve ever seen before: an intergalactic ethereal queendome and visually striking. There’s a lot happening, so just go watch it. Musically, it is as crazy as it is visually in the best possible way.

Me and my

I love this song. This song is about confidence and just having fun with your friends. “Way too fine every time, just me and my girls, ayy.” It gives massive baddie energy. Honestly, when I first heard Jennie’s rap I thought it was Cardi B. It is very explosive in how it uses sound and in the way it implies that BLACKPINK will steal your man (only if they want to). It is songs like this that made me join the fandom. It is like typa girl and pretty savage had a baby who became a feminist. Everyone thinks Lisa owned this song with her attitude and I agree.

CHAMPION

This song is about winning and never giving up, but they did it in a not cringey way. I genuinely love this song’s concept of being strong and not accepting defeat. At the beginning it sounded like a pop-rock song, but then it switched it up to be a universally appealing and relatable anthem. “And if I take a, take a L, I’ll still fight/’Til the bitter end, I’m strong, ’cause I know I’m a champion.”  It’s relatable in the sense that demolishing the competition is what we all need, “Hit hard, hard like a heart attack (Okay)/Same team, girl, yeah, I got your back.” It is not just about winning it is about being the undisputed champion in life. 

FXXX BOY

This song is about being with a player and the tables turning and now you’re the player. “Guess karma’s a bxxxx/How’s it feel now I’m the fxxxboy?” The overall vibe is sad and I find it really interesting that a song about the tables turning in your favor is that way. “If my signals mixed and messy bet you think it’s destiny.” When you hear the concept, you think of power, but upbeat lets show him who is the boss type thing. “Call me icy, icy, yeah, you made me ice cold, uh I saw it all, front row.” With this song it is, “Now I have the power but I wish it did not have to come to this” type vibe. This song has been stuck in my head forever with the melody and mixed messages. It is a really good song.

Overall, this album gets a 10/10. I love it, as it combines genres I never thought you could put together. It is different from what they came out with before, but it still sounds like them.