BLACKPINK’s Lisa has made a career on solo songs that brag about how awesome/pretty/rich she is… so much so that I don’t expect any other subject matter at this point. So rather than hope for something less shallow, it becomes fun to see just how many different ways she can retread the same message. In the case of new single Tarantino, she gets her brags in by evoking the famous film director of the same name.

The faux “empowerment” concept in Lisa’s music would be much more palatable if the music itself was fantastic, but so often her songs rely on grating chants. Tarantino is a bit different in this regard, opting for a melodic chorus. This plays over a spaghetti western instrumental, evoking a theatrical energy that’s a bit campy. I appreciate the approach, but the end result is quite gimmicky. With every element — from melody to production — pointing toward the same cowboy/cowgirl schtick, the song fast approaches novelty.

Maybe this is Lisa’s way of responding to our Choosin’ Texas era of country music dominance, though that doesn’t extend too far from the United States. Elsewhere in the world, I assume the sound feels even more cartoonish and broad. I’m much more interested in the distorted guitar that opens the track. Unfortunately, this cool flourish never appears again, promising an explosive rocker that doesn’t materialize.

Grade: C