Back when aespa released their latest album, I almost wrote a “buried treasure” post for Switchblade. It’s my favorite track on Lemonade and the rare case of a talk-heavy dance song delivering on its promise. aespa must have known they had a hit on their hands because they’ve taken the rare step of releasing a new music video weeks after their promotions ended.
Switchblade makes so many moves that would normally portend disaster for a K-pop track. Its chorus is little more than chanted catchphrases. It enlists an American rapper for extra cred. And, it follows trends rather than setting them. However, this eye-raising blend actually works for Switchblade.
The biggest reason Switchblade is successful is its production. Rather than simply lay down an electro dance beat and call it a day, the track switches things up and and offers a real sense of progression as we build to its finale. “Switch it up” is a main lyrical tenet of the chorus, and it’s not false advertising. And in this case, the addition of Ty Dolla $ign ends up being an inspired idea. The fact that his tone is so different from aespa’s injects a great counterpoint that further diversifies the song’s textures. Rather than one idea repeated over and over again, Switchblade feels like a series of moments, most of which I look forward to hearing each time I play the song.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
My favourite track in the album besides the tt. The Ty Dolla $ign cameo really makes things more exciting. This and Supernova are the best examples of sing-talking done right like if you are gonna do charismatic talking, then switch it up!
8.75 (8, 9, 9, 9) for me.
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100%. My favorite song on the whole album! Insane bass, pure Aespa aggressive chorus and the featuring works. It’s that rare case of Kpop doing Western mashup right.
I just wished the video leaned more in Whiplash territory than comedy.
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This actually works. I don’t know how often I will listen to it, but for a few minutes right now I am hella entertained.
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still one of my favorite songs this year! Ty Dolla $ign is always a great collaborator (at least from the musicians I like.)
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I love this track, it is so 2010s, the Electro Hop beat , bass and synths, and after Ty Dolla $ign’s verse, the 4/4 beat turns to Moombahton, it is funny.
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Funnily enough I enjoyed both lesserafim & aespa B-sides more than their title track from their recent full album. Switchblade is my number one pick from Lemonade album and it definitely deseved a music video. Now if only lesserafim could release IFFY IFFY or IRONY music video for extended promotion like Babymonster and aespa, but I won’t hold my breath.
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its not even an opinion anymore that the b-sides on those two albums are better than their titles
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Dolla finally broke bread with the squad !!
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surprisingly really good, it sounds better than when I first heard it. I’ll give it props to the longevity for that.
8.75 (8,9,9,9)
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this song still leaves me a longing for a more longer length, but it’s a good song anyways
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Hmm, I don’t think I like that change-up near the end, up until that point this was sort of a fun Whiplash-lite. Dolla’s “switchblade” is a nice touch though, excellent contrast with Giselle/Karina’s vocals, overall an 8 or so.
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This is my favorite song off the Lemonade album, so I’m glad it got a video!
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Nick, what do you think of xkylar? Their EP Why is dancing nobody is spectacular
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Hi, you replied to me on accident.
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would have liked the song more if the chorus weren’t so chanty – giving boy group noise music
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