Here are my credentials (again, again): TWICE, as they are for a lot of people, were one of the first groups I knew at the beginning of my getting into k-pop in the early 2020’s, and I would consider myself a fan. I know a lot of their singles, since they’re pretty inescapable, but I wanted to know more about their insanely huge discography, which spans three languages, and the members themselves. So, let’s get into this!
Album #4: &TWICE
Fake & True initially seems not that different from TWICE’s other Japanese releases, but it distinguishes itself a little with an interesting brassy hook that reminds me a little of Touchdown. I do wish it had gone further, though, and leaned into the hook a little more.
From the full Japanese album, &TWICE, I enjoyed the well…swingy energy of Swing, the very J-pop mix of high strings, EDM, and a touch of rock in the background of Stronger, and the showcasing of their vocals with the soft piano in The Reason Why.
EP #8: More & More
While they were in the middle of this transitional period, TWICE also tried other styles, and More & More is a prime example. But, while it does do something different with some interesting percussion and a very calming, peaceful energy, I don’t think it builds on their strengths with an anti-drop chorus and a heavier focus on rap. And the cultural appropriation in terms of their costumes and the dance doesn’t really help.
From the EP, More and More, I enjoyed the breathy vocalizations in Oxygen, and the in-your-face horns of Don’t Call Me Again’s hook. My hidden gem was Firework, though, where all of the good ideas in More & More—tropical drums, a rushing beat, and a calm melody—are given room to breathe, and the result is a much stronger song.
Single #7: Fanfare
Fanfare finally answers the thing I’ve been wanting for a while: a Japanese track that truly makes itself unique. As befits the name, it races forward with a marching band fervor and another brassy hook that goes further than Fake & True’s did. The bridge, despite being vocalization heavy, does a great job of continuing to build the song’s momentum towards its final chorus.
Album #5: Eyes Wide Open
I Can’t Stop Me was actually one of the first k-pop tracks I learned how to sing through its romanized lyrics, soon after it came out, and has held a place in my heart ever since, even causing the creation of my K-pop Roller Skating playlist. Drawing from the synths popular in 2019 / 2020, it adds disco, EDM, and a healthy dose of pop into the mix to create the perfect recipe for a hit. In my (heavily biased) opinion, it’s one of their absolute best, and serves as a highlight in an already very strong body of work.
Cry For Me was originally a special single, but I’ve included it here because it became such a huge hit that it would feel wrong to skip. I have to confess, however, that even though I do like it, especially the “cry, cry for me” hook, I think that it’s so overrated that I was bound to be disappointed. I know that a lot of people love this song, so please don’t kill me.
From the album, Eyes Wide Open, I had so many hidden gems. The fast-paced, always rushing forward Shot Clock, the delightful vogueing-inspired Queen, and the synthy Up No More are just a few. I also enjoyed the distorted hook of Bring It Back and the snappy flamenco percussion of Handle It. I think that this is one of, if not the best, of TWICE’s collections. It’s cohesive but not same-y, well written but still catchy, and makes great use of their voices. Basically, it’s a great note to end on.
Single #8: Kura Kura
We’re back to the Japanese releases with Better, which is the closest to TWICE’s new Korean songs so far. I like the way the chorus expands when I thought it was going for an anti-drop, but I’m very much not a fan of the actual anti-drop in the pre-chorus, which kills what could’ve been a great build up like I Can’t Stop Me.
Kura Kura is a track that caught my attention from the great “lose control, all my heart and soul” opening, giving me hope that it would do something unique. And it did! Right when you think it’s going to be a serious, sensual track, it switches up and runs right into super bubbly bit-pop with its succession of rhyming hooks, before going full circle back to its opening for a very solid outro. All in all, a weird little track but a compelling one.
EP #9: Taste Of Love
Alcohol-Free is a return to their Korean tracks just in time for the summer, and was the first TWICE track I witnessed coming out in realtime, when I was stuck inside during a thunderstorm and yearning for the water. Opting for a more subdued beachside sound with only some tropical drums and some strings, I know I’m looking at it through rose-tinted glasses, but I see it as kind of righting the “wrongs” or at least missteps ofMore & More, with a far more solid base and pay-off. Though I wouldn’t replay it every day, I did find myself singing along.
From the EP, Taste Of Love, I enjoyed the lighthearted instrumental and teasing delivery of Scandal, the chanty post-chorus of First Time, and the synthy background of S.O.S. (my hidden gem).
Album #6: Perfect World
Right out of the gate, Perfect World starts with a bang and never really stops. Over a backdrop of brass, strings, and at least one guitar, TWICE has never sounded more confident and in complete control of their talent than when telling off a lover who they no longer need. Though it changes tempo and tone a few times, the whole thing still feels cohesive, and the lyrics are some of their best. Overall, it feels like a complete performance, and what a damn good performance it is.
From the full album, also called Perfect World, I enjoyed the lighter pre-chorus of Good At Love, the fizzy and fast-paced Four Leaf Clover, the tropical explosion of In The Summer, and the wonderfully sweet lyrics of Thank You Family.
Album #7: O + T = <3
Though Alcohol-Free was the first comeback I witnessed, The Feels was the first that I loved on first listen. Though I’ve liked almost all of their newer, more mature tracks, sometimes a sing-along feel-good pop song just hits the spot in a way that nothing else can. The Feels is a perfect example of appealing to a wider demographic while not changing the core of your identity. Though it’s all in English, it still has the essence of TWICE in it. Is it simple? Sure. Do I love it anyway? Well, of course.
Scientist is the actual single from this release, and goes for a somewhat more subdued and self-assured sound, though it still comfortably sits in the pop genre. Harkening back to the schoolgirl concepts of their beginning, it feels like a full-circle moment perfect for their 6th anniversary. I do like its teasing tone and peppiness, and its resolve to have fun no matter how strange its ideas may be; that kind of thing always gets a smile out of me.
Formula Of Love: O + T = <3 is another full album, and like Eyes Wide Open, it’s a very strong piece. I enjoyed the tropical beats and light guitars in Moonlight, the confidence in Idol, the hints of strings in Cruel and Last Waltz, and the confidence in Espresso. For hidden gems, I loved the disco perfection of Fall In Love Again and the great lyrics of Cactus.
Next time, we’re up to Part Four. Christ. Tschüss!
Let me know your thoughts!