After years of ready for JYP Leisure to debut their staff from 2021’s LOUD survival sequence, KickFlip have been considered one of my most anticipated new acts of 2025. Sadly, I haven’t been in a position to join with their music up to now. I hoped the songs would develop on me with time, but when something the other has occurred. There’s a really high-quality line between rambunctious/enjoyable/cheeky and cloying. For me, songs like Mama Stated lean additional towards the latter. Happily, follow-up observe Knock Knock factors a brand new means ahead.
I’ve lengthy had a love-and-hate relationship with JYP’s musical output. The company appears to favor extremely repetitive, nursey rhyme hooks — particularly in the case of boy teams. At its finest, Knock Knock has a cool sound harking back to EXO’s traditional Growl. I just like the tight vocal harmonies that buttress the track’s hook and want they have been framed round extra partaking melodies. Whereas I don’t notably just like the refrain, the best way it’s delivered is fascinating and contemporary. Given totally different materials, it’s clear KickFlip might (and hopefully will) be a formidable rookie group.
So relatively than spend an excessive amount of time dissecting Knock Knock, I desire to think about the track as a roadmap for future endeavors. I hope the group eases away from gimmicks and explores the extra soulful facets of their vocal line. This track works finest in service to its groove, particularly when the vocals forge their very own rhythm.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
Grade: C+
