There have been a number of great boy group debuts this year, and KickFlip were the first out of the gate. But despite their (over)long gestation since 2021’s Loud survival series, their music didn’t immediately connect with me the way other groups’ has. It’s been a slower burn, with May’s Freeze easily their best title track yet. Their third mini album is scheduled for later this month and promotions kick off today with pre-release Band-Aid (반창고).
Despite a few misgivings (does that incessant trap percussion recall the irritating twisting of a wind-up toy to anyone else?), Band-Aid is anchored by a standout chorus that offers a very promising roadmap for KickFlip’s future. As TWS’s brilliant hey! hey! showed us last year, there are a lot of great sounds (and melodies!) to be mined from idol-pop-meets-teen-rock. Band-Aid is at its best when it leans into these elements. Its opening verse is a total buzzkill, pulling back with that annoyingly tinny percussion. But after this, we’re off to the races as the track bursts into its exciting chorus.
While the percussion remains an issue, I love the blazing guitar that takes precedence during this segment. There’s a real sense of release during this chorus, echoed by effusive melodies that perfectly channel the energy. The slowed-down verse two is a bit of a disappointment, but works much better without the tinniness. From here, Band-Aid truncates its segments, opting for briskness rather than development. This feels like a missed opportunity, but I’m willing to overlook the flaws with a chorus this fun.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
