It’s been awhile since I’ve connected with a new aespa single, but as they move their attention to the Japanese market with Kiss N Tell, there’s an opportunity to switch things up and offer a different sound. This isn’t a complete reinvention, but takes the banging electro influence of songs like Lemonade and merges it with a more melodic execution.
In K-pop’s struggle bus year of 2026, “melodic” in any shape or form is something to celebrate. Compared to big dance bangers of eras past, Kiss N Tell is relatively flat and repetitive in this regard, but within the context of this summer it feels almost like a revelation. The vocals forgo power in favor of breeziness, centered around a catchy “dee da da dee” hook that injects saccharine cuteness to the effervescent electro beat.
For me, Kiss N Tell‘s biggest asset is its instrumental. Its bounding energy and sunny tone capture the sensation of riding a carnival attraction. The production swoops up and down, gliding easefully without ever becoming dull. The song’s last few moments are particularly exciting as synth takes centerstage for a breakdown that should last at least a few seconds longer than it does. aespa’s pleasant performance feels secondary to this banging instrumental, but when it comes to high energy candyfloss dance music, this is the best thing they’ve released in some time.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
A pleasant performance on a banging instrumental. It’s okay, wish melodies were stronger but the “dee da da dee” is also catchy.
8.25 (8, 9, 8, 8) for me
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An ok song to fit the summer theme, but as an old school SM Ent. releases lovers, I’m still waiting for a Red Flavor 2.0 that give me “IT’s SUMMER TIME” vibes.
A flat 8.
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been obsessed since they performed it, it’s miles better than Hot Mess
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Ignoring the actual songs, as a statement “It’s miles better than Hot Mess” pretty much represents how low I’ve had to set my standards this summer 😂😅😭
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I’m going on “at least it is an entity recognizable as a song” this year.
This one sounds like a song, is a song.
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Our low ass bar of 2026!
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Everyone keeps praising ‘Dee Da Da Dee,’ yet I’m the only one who hates it 😭
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It’s my least favorite part of the song, even if it’s the most memorable.
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i choose itzy’s better kiss and tell, thanks
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nick, didn’t you get reminded of itzy’s kiss and tell? personally, that was the first thought that came to my mind when I read the title. except, itzy’s song is miles better
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I like it. I’m glad it got a video, unlike their first Japanese single Attitude, which is a great song. 8
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I don’t really feel the song that much compared to other JPOP gems this summer. Its just like the usual generic cutesy jpop idol song. Yes its a rare sound for aespa,. but Its not that unique compared to the usual JPOP summer catalogue offerings. The best part of the song was the vocals layering near the end. The “Dee Daa Daa Dee” hook just sounds annoying to me similar to machine background noise.
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i wanted this to be good so bad because i thought the concept photos were cute, what a shame that it turned out to be such a nothingburger song. it is simply too short and nothing interesting is going on with their vocals. the instrumental is the best part.
my favorite songs off of the mini album are orbit pop and attitude.
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idk it sounds a lot like H2H’s Rude. Notes of Angel No48, too
i need to listen to the rest of the mini, if there is one
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I find the contradiction between AESPA’s style and cutesy jpop complicated to pull off. Kiss n Tell doesn’t sound like an AESPA song to me, it’s too kawai without any edge. I much prefer the cold housy sound of Orbit Pop, reminds me of jpop band Perfume while still being on brand.
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Lemonade is objectively the stronger track but I prefer this to it on a musical level. It’s too short to really develop and missing an edge but I still welcome Aespa doing a brighter sound as it’s rare these days.
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