Thus far, Rosé has scored the biggest global success of any BLACKPINK member, but it comes with a caveat. Her mega-hit APT. shared billing with collaborator Bruno Mars who turbo-charged its popularity with his sizable commercial appeal. In fact, it seems that “pairing with a popular international artist” seems to be the most successful route for BLACKPINK soloists, as Jennie’s Dracula remix with Tame Impala has also gained a foothold on global charts. With New Trick, Rosé tries out the punky APT. sound on her own.
This is a very smart move — much smarter than releasing another dull Taylor Swift rip-off like much of the fare that filled her debut album. Her voice works well — and is actually more convincing — in an energetic context. And as Olivia Rodrigo has proven this year, there’s a big market for female fronted, vaguely-90s alt-rock at the moment. New Trick borrows liberally from decades of pop and rock music, but it’s a sturdy retread with satisfying songwriting and a strong performance from Rosé.
New Trick succeeds most during its propulsive, sing-along chorus. It’s a simple hook that will remind you of so many other songs you probably like and this familiarity holds the comfort of a well-fitted pair of jeans. I don’t know if there’s anything unique enough to keep me coming back the way APT.‘s giddy genre hodgepodge did, but I’d much prefer a Rosé album that sounds like this over another downbeat bedroom pop affair.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I didn’t know about that Tame Impala remix. Listening to it now; my first thought: I really miss the Tame Impala of his first 2 albums, epitomized by Elephant, a cross between Pink Floyd’s Money, early Oasis, and John Lennon. He’s so MOR now, in the worst way. He needs something – guitars, maybe – to dirty up his sound a bit.
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It’s energetic and it’s fun. It’s been a long time ever since we can get an upbeat song from gg/female solo. I’ll rate it 8.25 for now.
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Also it’s so rare to see Nick bringing in so much artist – Jennie, Bruno, Tame, Taylor & Olivia into a single post
😂But ya, this is very Western approached, and it does remind me of early Avril Lavigne too.
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Alt-roc usually depended much on the singer vocal tone or quirky production to elevate the track and I think it suited Rose vocals as much as the bedroom pop sound in her last album. The song might lack the mainstream appeal compared to APT, but it was more interesting than the usual no effort cookie cutter mass-produced christian pop songs.
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The chorus is great pop music, a big rush of adrenaline when its kicking (… a door). The verses mark time in between.
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I really enjoyed the 90s vibes of this song. I know some people wish her vocals were more forward but their dreaminess reminds me of the band Lush.
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The spam filter seems like it’s swallowing my comments tonight, but speaking of “forward vocals” the fact that the official closed captions for the MV say that she’s “kicking a dog” is pretty funny.
Slurred vocals are pretty par for the course in alt-rock though, for much of my adult life I thought Kurt Cobain was repeating “sayonara” at the end of Smells Like Teen Spirit.
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A pale imitation of thr 90s sound.
I wish these blackpink girls would retire and darken my doorstep no more.
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Vocals work well on the verses but the chorus is executed with less energy than I would’ve hoped for. The best BP solo out of the recent ones. Rose wins agin by playing it safe!
8
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