After years of ready for JYP Leisure to debut their staff from 2021’s LOUD survival collection, KickFlip have been certainly one of my most anticipated new acts of 2025. Sadly, I haven’t been in a position to join with their music up to now. I hoped the songs would develop on me with time, but when something the alternative has occurred. There’s a really wonderful line between rambunctious/enjoyable/cheeky and cloying. For me, songs like Mama Stated lean additional towards the latter. Luckily, follow-up monitor Knock Knock factors a brand new approach 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 finest, Knock Knock has a fab sound paying homage to EXO’s traditional Growl. I just like the tight vocal harmonies that buttress the track’s hook and need they have been framed round extra partaking melodies. Whereas I don’t notably just like the refrain, the way in which it’s delivered is charming and contemporary. Given totally different materials, it’s clear KickFlip may (and hopefully will) be a formidable rookie group.
So quite than spend an excessive amount of time dissecting Knock Knock, I want to consider the track as a roadmap for future endeavors. I hope the group eases away from gimmicks and explores the extra soulful features of their vocal line. This track works finest 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+