After three years, BOYNEXTDOOR are finally set to release their first full album next month. This usually means extra promotions including a pre-release or follow-up. Without much teasing at all, the group has dropped Knock Knock (똑똑똑) as a taste of what’s to come. Fans will know the significance of this title given the group’s “door” schtick, though the song itself feels different from their usual fare.
Knock Knock takes a harder hip-hop turn, even borrowing the stylistic vocal effects utilized by groups like Cortis. Unsurprisingly, this is a not a pleasant development for me. BOYNEXTDOOR have always had a strong hip-hop base to their sound, but it’s usually playful and upbeat. In contrast, Knock Knock feels way too serious and sonically dull for a group like BOYNEXTDOOR. Their personality and individual character have been such vital pieces of their success, and Knock Knock feels as if it could have been released by any boy group angling to capture the current trends of the industry.
Beyond everything else, Knock Knock just isn’t very fun to listen to. There’s potential in its sparse, cavernous groove but the guys’ flow is either predictable or obnoxious with very little space in between. The chorus doesn’t inject any new element or texture, maintaining the rhythmic taunts from the verses and pre-chorus. Hopefully this isn’t an indication of the album’s overall sound because this is easily the weakest track the group has ever promoted.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 6.75 |
Grade: D+
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I like that they listed all their albums as part of the lyrics, but that’s about it. Here’s to hoping the title track is better!
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The Action was already a horrid EP for me and to follow up we have knockknock ….. Really hope they redeem themselves cause this insanely sucks
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AHHH This was supposed to be an individual comment.. i really can’t navigate this website 😭
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it’s a massive chop, what is this CORTIS cosplay
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Really gotta ask you how feel about Charli XCX’s ‘Rock Music’. I think it sounds cool and abrasive like a lot of her work does, but that buzzing sound playing throughout wears out its welcome fast, as does the glitching effect on her voice when she says the song title.
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I’m not a big fan. The sound is okay but the song doesn’t really go anywhere.
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i have to assume this is gonna be the intro, which i guess its fine for that purpose, but if its an accurate representation of what the album’s gonna sound like then i’m worried. the beginning of the song emulating one and only era only to immediately spiral into pots and pans would be a fun way to imply a genre/concept change or rebrand if i..actually wanted a genre/concept change or rebrand. which i never do
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BOYNEXTDOOR have become one of my favorite groups after hearing songs like “I Feel Good” and “Hollywood Action.” However, I was really disappointed by “Knock Knock.” Everything about it feels monotonous. The instrumental, the melody, the rap — none of it leaves any impression on me.
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Nooo!!? What is this NCT + Cortis esque boring track??
Bring back my fun, playful, upbeat Boynextdoor back!!! This is such a dumbing down of their personalities which made them so special, now they feel like any other ABC kpop group out there.
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