Review Summary: TWICE have arrived.
It feels odd to say that the group once dubbed as “Korea’s National Girl Group,” the same one that has sold millions of copies of albums world-wide and successfully broke into the Japanese and American markets while selling out the biggest venues imaginable, have only just
arrived with the release of their 13th mini album “With YOU-th.”
Thirteen mini albums, three full-length Korean albums, four full-length Japanese albums, and plenty of one-off singles later, Twice truly have nothing to prove globally. The aforementioned arrival, however, is an internal one; brought about in combination with each of the nine members renewing their contracts after their seventh year as a group (breaking the so-called “Seven Year Curse” in K-pop, now almost in their ninth year in general), along with their unflinching ability to keep pushing to further heights.
With the freedom that comes from a contract renewal on this scale, we are seeing each of the women start to explore and find their individual voices; not to establish themselves completely outside of the group, but to bring that found sense of self back into the group, making it impossible not to
pay attention when they’re all together.
Enter “With YOU-th.”
In interviews, the various members spoke on this project being dedicated to both sisterhood and their desire to enjoy this time that they have together. That becomes evident when you learn that multiple parts were reassigned and re-recorded based on each member’s own contribution and input, a collaborative effort between the members and production that hasn’t really happened in their camp before.
YOU-th (silly but endearing name aside) showcases and drips with confidence and self-love.
Opener “I Got You,” the project’s pre-release all-English single, sees Twice step into a 1975-esque production for the first time with twinkling guitar leads and synth pad blankets allowing for the soaring reverb-soaked hooks and ad-libs to drive the point home that at the end of the day, they're looking out for each other.
The synthy dance-pop of “New New” and “You Get Me” bring that quintessential Twice catchiness to an otherwise Drum and bass, and bouncy synth soaked ride. The former’s earwormy CRJ-worship chorus of
“I got that new new new, got that fresh fresh fresh, feel the beat beat beat” will unfortunately/fortunately never leave your head, while “You Get Me” expresses a youthful contentment with the present.
The group is known for being able to dive into any sub-genre of pop to find success, and on tracks like “Rush” and “Bloom,” we see them putting their own spin on the Drum and bass resurgence that their contemporaries have found success in without it feeling like they are just trend-jumping. “Bloom” especially showcases their vocal prowess while boasting the best production of the project, with funky and wet bass chords guiding the verses into a punchy and dancey chorus. The back half of the song is a project highlight especially, with members trading off dream-like harmonies singing “wait until you see me bloom,” culminating in a whistle note that drops back into the chorus, evoking a time-lapsed image of a group truly blooming.
Groups like Twice don’t come around often. Their brand of dialed in pop may not be to everyone’s taste, but there’s no denying their staying power.
YOU-th sees them looking at each other with love and respect, being thankful for the journey so far, and undeniably brimming with a kinetic confidence that will take them forward into paths yet to be traveled.
