BLACKPINK released its third EP, “Deadline,” on Friday. In this photo, Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie and Rose of BLACKPINK arrive on the red carpet at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
BLACKPINK, the biggest K-pop girl group, released its third EP, “Deadline,” on Friday, returning as a full group for the first time in more than three years amid strong anticipation from fans worldwide.
The record, led by the lead track “Go,” marks the quartet’s first full-group album since its 2022 full-length album “Born Pink,” which topped both the U.S. Billboard 200 and the British Official Albums Chart Top 100.
According to YG Entertainment, the group’s agency, the five-track album released at 2 p.m. explores themes of confidence, growth and unity, combining elements of EDM, hip-hop and pop.
“The album captures both ‘BLACKPINK’s greatest, unrepeatable moments’ and ‘the group’s brightest present at the peak of those moments,'” the agency said. “Its five tracks, spanning a variety of styles and genres, demonstrate the members’ limitless musical evolution and present the team’s direction toward greater heights.”
The lead single “Go” features powerful sound production and a chant-driven hook, complemented by the prerelease “Jump,” the retro hip-hop track “Me and My,” the anthemic “Champion,” and “Fxxxboy,” described as a more subtle and emotional track.
Chris Martin, the frontman of the iconic British band Coldplay, took part in the writing, composition and arrangement of “Go.” BLACKPINK members Jennie, Rose, Jisoo and Lisa are all credited as co-lyricists, with Rose also contributing to composition.
The track entered local music streamer Melon’s Top 100 chart just one hour after its release.
In addition, singer-songwriter Ejae, who gained global recognition for “Golden,” a song from the original soundtrack of the Netflix hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” contributed to the lyrics and composition of the fourth track, “Champion.”
Since launching album promotions on Feb. 15, BLACKPINK’s YouTube channel has gained an average of 10,000 new subscribers per day, YG said. The group recently became the first artist to surpass 100 million subscribers on the global video sharing platform.
“Despite the tight schedule of its large-scale world tour, BLACKPINK invested significant time and effort to enhance the album’s completeness,” the agency said in a statement. “We believe the result captures both the members’ individual musical artistry and their synergy as a team.”
Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.
