After years of ready for JYP Leisure to debut their workforce from 2021’s LOUD survival sequence, KickFlip had been considered one of my most anticipated new acts of 2025. Sadly, I haven’t been in a position to join with their music to date. I hoped the songs would develop on me with time, but when something the alternative has occurred. There’s a really fantastic line between rambunctious/enjoyable/cheeky and cloying. For me, songs like Mama Mentioned lean additional towards the latter. Thankfully, follow-up observe Knock Knock factors a brand new manner 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 with regards to boy teams. At its finest, Knock Knock has a cool sound paying homage to EXO’s basic Growl. I just like the tight vocal harmonies that buttress the track’s hook and need they had been framed round extra partaking melodies. Whereas I don’t significantly just like the refrain, the way in which it’s delivered is charming and recent. Given totally different materials, it’s clear KickFlip may (and hopefully will) be a formidable rookie group.
So moderately than spend an excessive amount of time dissecting Knock Knock, I favor to think about the track 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 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+