Artist: Blackpink
Album: “Square Two”
Label: YG Entertainment
Year: 2016

Intro

After checking out their prior single album “Square One”, I felt that this group has a bright future ahead of them picking up where 2NE1 left off. Let’s see if they have progressed since their debut but this time with “Square Two”.

Good

“Playing with Fire”, “Stay”, and “Whistle (Acoustic version)” were the offerings this extended play provided us. “Playing with Fire” is that classic YG single that has that urban banger feel.

I really enjoyed “Stay”. It slowed them down from going 100 miles per hour. It showed that they had the ability to sing a more down tempo style of songs.

Bad

I didn’t feel an acoustic version of “Whistle” was needed. The song felt really out of place with the whistle in the background with the acoustic instruments. The song itself felt really out of place and slowed down the momentum of the album. Having an acoustic version of a hit single did not help separate them from being compared to 2NE1.

2NE1 had a song called “Fire”. Blackpink has a song called “Playing with Fire”. I don’t know if it’s an homage, a slight diss, or a coincidence from the group and YG.

Overview

I feel like the ghosts of 2NE1 will continue to haunt the girls of Blackpink until they find their niche to stand out. It’s a blessing and a curse. For one thing, being compared to a great group with all these classics like 2NE1 had shows that they’re destined for success. Unfortunately, the expectations to keep coming out with fire may potentially be too much. It’s up to YG Entertainment how they want to steer this trip. Trying to turn iKon and Winner into the next Big Bang hasn’t officially come into fruition yet. I don’t think trying to turn Blackpink into a new incarnation of 2NE1 may help. Let Blackpink be their own group.

Overall rating: 3.5/5
Reviewed by: Timtastic