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.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
Grade: C
I see more oriental influences than country tbh, but I can see why the execution gives off more country. But I liked this one, it has some interesting textures and we see some good, a little catchy melodies here. It’s a huge improvement from SaWaDiKa.
7.75 (8, 8, 8, 7) for me
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I didn’t hear country at all in the instrumental more so oriental. I find in her songs whenever she raps its hard to distinguish her voice/lyrics from the track. It didn’t do much for me, I prefer Sawadika a lot more
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I think the instrumental sounds more like some thai or other asian traditional folk music than country
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I agree, it sounds more east asian string instrumental which is actually really cool rather than a country vibe. Whilst the subject matter may be a bit repetitive, people who only write love songs don’t seem to get the same criticism for not changing up the subject. I feel like Lisa has found her niche and she does what she does really well.
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A great point about the subject. I’m digging through old jpop albums and I’m struck by the amount of love songs and ballads packed from album to album. The new JSB3 song was praised here and almost everything I heard by them is a lovesick songs to party tracks, everybody plays safe with their lyrics in pop.
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I think the difference in the subject matter perception is that Lisa is ultimately writing about herself,so it is harder to relate to or be interested in if you’re not already interested in Lisa herself; none of us have her money or fame, after all. Meanwhile, people who are interested in romantic love is just a way bigger circle. There’s also just a lot of ways of writing about love (or hate, or heartbreak) as opposed to writing about a single individual? Like, New Woman was good for me in terms of lyrics because it’s more down-to-earth, more relatable imo, but the more aggressive brags/empowerment anthems are just very Lisa – too much Lisa to be about anyone else. Kinda like Taylor Swift’s last album vs her early songs.
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Yeah, the flip side is the artist who exclusively sing about dating tend to let themselves be stunted by that formula too. A singer does need to tell us who they are in their world. A nice example is Charli’s songs from BRAT, Sympathy is a knife especially as a confession of personal insecurity. I personally hate albums named after the artist who only put love stories in the album, just seems like they should tell stories about their dreams and fears at least.
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My absolute favorite artists tend to be deeply personal lyricists, yet delivered in a more outward facing way that makes the specificity of their life experience feel universal and naturally invites the listener to make connections with their own experience.
I tend to dislike artists who are more diaristic in their approach, which to me feels self-centered instead of engaging. Unfortunately, “diary-pop” has been the leading trend for almost a decade now — at least in Western pop music.
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Song has a sort of Dua Lipa vibe and the production is great, like other comments mentioned I find it Asian sounding though, the cord background is like a Japanese shamisen.There is so much Lisa can do with her rap skills so I think this is better than her usual brag slop.
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Quite meh. The whole EP is so so mid and sounds just like her first album.
Rating 6.5 for me.
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It is great but I expected a bit more from her after Sawadika but overall it was interesting and the background music was unique.
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At this point, I don’t think Lisa should be considered kpop any more.
I miss the potential of Lisa dancing queen releasing banger dance tracks. Instead, she releases another languid self-important entity called a “song” showing more skin than talent.
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I second this, but I’d include more people. These English/global solos are really clogging up the scene.
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I genuinely hate this song.
Lisa had/HAS so much potential. Like someone said, a dancer releasing dance tracks. But no. Instead of showcasing potential, she’s rather showcase skin and her money. “Empowerment” yeah, it empowers me through my day so nicely to listen to a girl go on about how many diamonds she’s got while I’m stuck in my room with a headache. The track itself is catchy. You know what else is catchy? The plague. Catchiness doesn’t necessarily mean something is good. The beat is nice, but if the lyrics actually had meaning to them perhaps this could be better.
6 to me.
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At least its better than whatever ear bleeding track Sawadika was
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I guess this is what happened when oriental music married country-type production which apparently produced a strange product that left a lot to be desired…..
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Nothing kpop about this garbage.
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misread the title as tarantella and i fully thought she was going to reinvent pop music for like half a second
i don’t think it’s bad, but it sounds veryyyyyy dated to me. like 2019 24kGoldn/post malone era radio hits
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