The high points in Red Velvet’s discography are so high, but if I really think about it I haven’t cared for one of their title tracks since 2019. As with most groups approaching their tenth year in the industry, their comebacks have become less frequent, but today they deliver a wealth of new material on their third full album.
Title track Chill Kill continues SM Entertainment’s tradition of releasing slightly-spooky tracks right after Halloween has passed. Its stomping mid-tempo beat and powerful vocals recall 2019’s Psycho, though Chill Kill is a bit stranger. Its delicate — at times dramatic — instrumental reminds me more of last year’s Feel My Rhythm. The production has this weird sense of stuttering tension, as if a big climax is lurking around every corner. Those high points never materialize, as the chorus pulls back to deliver a haunted house atmosphere. Instead, Red Velvet’s vocals supply the theatrical heft. We get hints of past glories in their execution, even if the arrangement insists on strangling that potential (dynamic bridge aside).
Above all, this is very odd track. I keep trying to imagine how an acoustic version — without the cinematic production — might sound. Apart from the standout chorus melody, I’m not sure there’s much here that isn’t simply atmosphere. With that said, Red Velvet know how to sell atmosphere. Chill Kill is definitely a mood, and an interesting piece for listeners to pull apart. There’s so much going on, yet the end product doesn’t land many knockout punches. To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. I’m interested to see if it will become a grower.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
1) Another song that sounds much better at about 1.2x or 1.25x. So much better.
2) The chorus key change is nice.
3) The second verse is not so nice.
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What are the other songs that sound better when sped up??
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There were more than a few last year, one a month or more. (ruffles through notes) Here’s two!
Mamamoo “dang dang” sounds great at 1.15 or 1.2x.
Wooah “Danger” sounds great at 1.1x
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I actually like the song the more it went on. it’s both a Red and a Velvet track, and I think it works.
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I really like this one, and the bridge onwards is excellent
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Forget this song.
You gave Psycho a 7.75??? Nick what the fuck.
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(I’ve never liked Psycho. Still don’t. I know I’m VERY much in the minority in that opinion)
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Wow, some songs never click I guess.
As far as this go, I think 8 is almost too high for hooks here. Listened to it 4 times and still struggle to recall the chorus.
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yea Nick, wtf?! haha ofc song doesnt click with everyone, why else does there exist so much genres in world. Music is just an infinite combination of sounds that trigger nerves in the brain anyway. Everyone’s brain chemistry is different
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I also don’t like Psycho. I like many Red Velvet songs but not that one.
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Psycho was never my favorite either. A little too plodding. I always thought it sounded like a Big Bang song more than Red Velvet.
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Reporting to say I don’t like Psycho either. Thought it would grow on me but it just didn’ t!
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Oooh i loved Psycho! Might be my favorite RV song
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I think it will grow on me, maybe not a classic? I don’t really like the video, which doesn’t seem like it was made for this song. Good production and great vocals, certainly not a disappointment…7.5-8/10
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I’m with you on the video. The song sounded a lot brighter than the concept of the video, which threw me for a loop. I think SM did a better job marching a creepy video to song with Peekaboo.
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I thought about that too 👍
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Completely agree… plus, I don’t like when they pause the music during the video – I’m watching this for the music not the action!
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Yes…and am I the only one getting tired of dark dramatic Kpop videos?
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I too don’t know how to feel about this song. However, I do like many songs on the album, although they are a bit forgettable. I hope it grows on me because I broke my rule of never preordering anything, and bought all versions of the album (except the SMini).
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I think the b-sides shine more but it’s growing on me! I kinda like it’s not a straightforward song. I still think Feel My Rhythm is one of their best but maybe that’s just me
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I would enjoy this song even more if the chorus had a creepier and less upbeat tone, giving it a hauntingly captivating feel. The bridge is very powerful, but I can’t stand with that bright chorus.
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I’m kinda in the minority but I actually like the chorus being in a major key and a contrast to the rest of the chorus. I still think they could’ve done more with the chorus but I didn’t mind it.
I liked how dramatic the rest of the song is as well.
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*a contrast to the rest of the song
I hate how I can’t edit my comments after I post them here smh :(((
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I hate it too, but unfortunately there’s no setting I can change for that. Trust me, I’ve looked…
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I think this is kind of weak imo but the music video is cool
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This feels like a huge exercise in blending classical influences and pop music, very much like SM like to do especially with Red Velvet. I am not entirely sold on it first listen but the chorus sounds solid and I love the grandiosity of the whole arrangement. This is definitely better than whatever Aespa put out in this last EP (just my opinion). I also love “Knock knock” ! Great pop twist on a classic
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Not really the return I was wanting, but the chorus makes me want to come back. I really like red velvet’s first two albums. They had quite a few standouts and all the songs come together to deliver a specific vision. I hope this album follows suit
Am I the only one who was counting their repackage from 2019 an album
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I really like the song! This is such an upgrade over Birthday and I love how the vocals come to the forefront. I also like the 80s drum/synth breakdown before the final chorus.
The entire album also sounds great on first listen. I don’t know how this stacks up amongst their entire discography, but I’m very pleased as a huge fan of the group.
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It’s fine and it has that unmistakable Red Velvet sound but I hoped for more. It just plays it too safe in my opinion.
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again, hugely disappointed in this. If you like it good for you
7.75/10
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I have nothing against the song, but I feel like songs like Chill Kill are trying too hard to be mysterious or ‘different.’ Concepts don’t make songs magically better, that’s the biggest lesson I got from this.
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Its a great return to form. Chill Kill recalls their glorious high points which Birthday and Feel My Rhythm did not.
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I find the creepy tone of the verses/mv contrasted with the bright chorus to be interesting… it’s almost like a storytelling device, where there’s a lot of darkness around but they are choosing to be bright when faced with that darkness. I think it’s worthy as a Red Velvet track, though I haven’t fully made up my mind about how much I like it.
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I’m of the same vein, Chill Kill is a bit muddled but very on brand, hoping it’s more of a grower down the line. Enjoying b-sides a bit more, as many Reveluvs do– “Underwater” and its layered R&B vocals is a strong candidate for Buried Treasure
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Red Flavor and Russian Roulette will always be legendary, but I agree that in the past few years their title tracks just haven’t hit in that same way.
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I would choose Psycho over this song….Psycho is the best RV song period
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maybe it’s cuz this song is a novelty to me, i think chill kill is becoming one of my favorites from redvelvet?? i really liked juxtaposition between the triumphant chorus and the chilling effect of the shrill synth that serves as a reminder that rv is celebrating something that should not be celebrated, like even thought things appears fine, there’s a feeling lurking underneath reminding us not to feel too settled. this really blends well with the story they are telling, considering they just killed someone?? :0 it wouldn’t be appropriate to sing about a “chill kill” in an overly cheerful tone hahaha this kinda brings the track reborn from the movie hereditary to my mind (the second half of the theme), and i feel like chill kill effectively captures the drama it is bringing to the table.
also, the chorus ending on a minor key really complements verse 2 it solidifies the notion that things are far from alright, and it ties the chorus to the unsettling feeling that is simmering throughout the song
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i haven’t been liking their new songs since rrbb but i will be giving this album a listen to
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I still struggle with this song because I like the rest of their discography so much. It’s too bad it was chosen as the title track, the rest of the album is much better…this may seem like classic RV in a few years, or it might just be a mistake. I think the girls liked this song because it was a challenge to sing…(sigh)…7/10
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