By Vania Castro
Rating: 5/5
TWICE, the famous K-pop girl group, recently released “Eyes Wide Open,” their second full album, just four months after their ninth mini-album, “MORE & MORE.” Their newest release includes 13 tracks of varying genres and employs a more mature concept compared to their previous mini-album, exemplifying TWICE’s versatility as artists.
The album’s title track, “I CAN’T STOP ME,” is a song about being unable to stop yourself from doing something you know you shouldn’t do. It opens with synth-like keys that gives listeners a retro vibe, followed by a strong beat. The choreography in the music video is eye-catching and the members’ vocals shine, especially in the chorus.
Then, “HELL IN HEAVEN,” the first B-side, which, in K-pop refers to a song that doesn’t receive as much promotion as a title track, takes a bold and mysterious turn as the girls open the addictive chorus with the line, “Take me to your paradise.”
Elsewhere on the album, the tracks reflect a wide spectrum of genres. For example, “SHOT CLOCK” is a fast, upbeat pop song with an athletic vibe. Dahyun and Chaeyoung, the two members who rap in the bridge, stand out with their amazing flow. On the other hand, “BEHIND THE MASK” is a slower and more emotional song, where the members ask the listener, “Behind the mask…I wonder if you’re smiling.”
Along with the title track, “I CAN’T STOP ME,” other songs throw listeners back to old eras of music. “UP NO MORE,” a fun, lighthearted pop song, feels straight out of the ‘90s or early 2000s. However, the lyrics — about feeling sleepless, broken, and lost in thought — are a contrast to the song’s cheery flow.
Another throwback song is “SAY SOMETHING,” a chill but funky track with a combination of synth, jazz keys, and soft funky guitar scattered throughout the song. This song feels like it came from the ‘80s, and it ends with soulful saxophone which fades into silence, the way old songs used to.
A highlight of the album is the empowerment anthem “QUEEN,” in which the girls tell listeners, “You are the main character, you are the bright one, you’re a queen.” The song features the members’ smooth vocals with backing trumpet sounds, really kicking up the bold and sassy vibes the song exudes.
Overall, TWICE has shown fans a new side to the group and did not disappoint. “Eyes Wide Open” is one of their best releases, with different tracks to suit any mood or musical taste. The album mixes various musical elements yet remains uniquely TWICE, and it will for sure go down as iconic.