Though I still wouldn’t call myself a fan, XG’s music has appealed to me more and more as their discography has grown. Last month’s New Dance was a catchy earworm, while GRL GVNG felt like their most convincing hip-hop track yet. After months of pre-releases, their first EP has finally been released alongside the music video for Puppet Show. Funny enough, this song feels like an encapsulation of the elements that work and don’t work in XG’s music — almost in equal measure.
I’m into Puppet Show‘s percolating electro groove. The production during the verses is a nice blend of laidback and propulsive, crafting a soundscape that works especially well with the group’s vocals. As the song begins to gather steam, I expect a chorus that takes this sound to its natural conclusion. Instead, Puppet Show switches the beat to deliver a hesitant, trap-influenced hook.
To the song’s credit, these transitions don’t feel as jarring as you’d expect. Much of that is thanks to the group’s performance, which steers the track with plenty of character. However, XG’s music could be offering something much more interesting and exciting. Puppet Show‘s production flirts with experimental sounds but never goes full bore. If you’re going to cut the tempo back for your chorus, we need the arrangement to melt our minds. Hip-hop producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott were always so adept at this kind of minimalist drama, and I can’t help but think a song like Puppet Show deserves a similar approach.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It’s all just a little too contrived for me.
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This is the first XG song I genuinely like.
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Trap? That chorus is future bass to a tee lol
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Feels like future bass meets trap to me, which unfortunately are two genres I’ve never quite warmed to
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The Chorus of this song reminds me of something but I can’t put my finger on it🤔
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probably beyonce
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I wish the chorus (or at least the final one) has that jersey club element like in the verses. The future bass trap brings the song from a high to chill very quickly and i feel a bit disappointed.
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Lyrically, the metaphor is all over the place, but this is XG, behind “I’m so Tahiti hot and breezy off the heezy on the ig yt tt,” so not the biggest shocker. That said, the music is pleasant, probably my second favorite XG song.
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I felt like this was a perfect blending of their two vibes. It felt like a cross between left right and tippy toes. I absolutely love this song. Going on my liked playlist for sure.
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Boring lyrics.
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Go back to blackpinks ratatatatatatatata
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I don’t care about BlackPink.
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