iKON “New Kids: The Final” Review

Popular YG Entertainment kpop group, iKON, released their second extended play (EP), New Kids: The Final, Oct. 1 wrapping up their three album series titled New Kids.

The series begin with the release of New Kids: Begin May 22 that was followed by New Kids: Continued released on Aug. 2.

The title song for New Kids: The Final, “Goodbye Road”, continues with iKON’s soft pop style that is featured in “Love Scenario”, a previous iKON hit. Although for “Goodbye Road” the overall sound is soft pop, the melody is made up of rock and ballad style instruments such as drums, guitars, violins, and other various string instruments. The mixing of genres is a unique factor of kpop that allows kpop groups to appeal to a wider range of audience.

“Goodbye Road” has a music video that is done in a style that is often found in kpop music videos. Part of the video is dedicated to telling a story, in “Goodbye Road” it’s that of relationships falling apart. Meanwhile, the other part of the music video focuses on the group performing their choreography. For this comeback, iKON tied in some very fitting elements into the choreography such as a subtle shooing of goodbye during the chorus.

The other tracks on the EP include “Don’t Let Me Know”, “Adore You”, and “Perfect”. “Don’t Let Me Know” follows “Goodbye Road” by using rock instruments to make up the beat and the melody, but the song falls more directly into the pop genre and gains an 80’s synth sound during the choruses. Then “Adore You” mainly relies on the use soft rock bordering on acoustic sounds and the member’s vocals creating a brighter type of ballad. Putting a close to the album, “Perfect” keeps the vibe given off from “Adore You”, but incorporates more rock elements producing a soft rock ballad.

iKON finished their New Kids series with a balanced album of various genres with a focus on soft rock, a genre that isn’t seen in large numbers in the kpop music scene.