BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez have dropped a new all-English song, with the hopes of capturing two markets at the same time. As someone who did not care that much for “How You Like That”, I approached this comeback with some trepidation. Fortunately, “Ice Cream” does what it set out to do. It’s nothing special, but it’s a fun and cute summer track.
Release Date: August 27, 2020
Tracklist:
- Ice Cream
Runtime: 00:03:02
Recommended for: Anyone looking for a fun summer jam; fans of BLACKPINK’s brighter side
NOT Recommended for: Those who prefer BLACKPINK’s darker tracks; Anyone looking for a different sound from BLACKPINK
TRACK REVIEW
It can be hard for a Western artist to feature on a K-Pop song. Even if the song is in English, K-Pop has a specific feel to it. When two artists with conflicting images come together, mess will ensue. However, I’m glad to say that Selena fits right in with BLACKPINK. The transitions between their parts are seamlessly done. Her vocal tone is not too overpowering, and she sounds as if she has been singing with the other girls for a good amount of time.
The verses here are good. I really do like the back-and-forth between Selena and the Pinks. The lyrics are easy to get into and sing along with, which I think is important for a poppy summer release. Most people want to jam to a song without having to think too hard about what is being said. The chorus is catchy. The “ice cream chillin’ chillin'” refrain adds a nice touch. On the downside, the chorus does feel anti-climatic and you will finish the song wanting more. There are no standout moments in the song. Lisa’s rap could have been, but it’s her weakest work so far. It doesn’t offer the rhythmic relish that her previous raps sections have and is thus a major let down. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
The music video is really quite nice and very different from BLACKPINK’s past releases. It reminds me of “As If It’s Your Last”, due to how bright and cheery it is. The set flows well from scene to scene. The music video is quite summery, without including all the stereotypical hallmarks of a summer song. There is minimal choreography, which is understandable. The song and video work on their own well enough. It would have been nice to see Selena attempt K-Pop choreography, but she may not have been able to film with the rest of the girls due to the current pandemic. On a different note, the outfits are very cute. Selena’s styling is especially good.
Overall, “Ice Cream” is a nice effort. It may not add anything new to BLACKPINK’s discography, but it also doesn’t feel like a step down musically. It portrayed as a fun summer song and thankfully, it fits that very image. Seeing how their upcoming album will feature both “How You Like That” and “Ice Cream”, I am intrigued to learn more about their musical direction going forward. I hope – for their sake and ours – that Teddy has a few more creative bones left in his body.
The Review
"Ice Cream" is a pretty standard pop release but that's okay. It is fun, and a lot more digestible than "How You Like That". This is by no means my favorite release from BLACKPINK, but I foresee that I shall be replaying this over and over.
Review Breakdown
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Originality
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Cohesiveness
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Replayability
