KNK Wants to Go for a “Ride” with You
It’s been over a year since KNK’s last comeback, so this new mini-album is a wonderful treat! Since their debut in 2015, the group has split from their label, YNB Entertainment, to form an independent company. This is the second release and first mini-album from the group since then. Their last title track “Sunset” was a real club banger, so what does KNK have in store this time?
The Title: “Ride”
KNK tried a number of different sounds through their title tracks in the past, so it was hard to know what to expect. Musically, “Ride” has a dance pop feel that is fairly common—some may even say generic in sound. It definitely is aimed to have more mass appeal than “Sunrise” had; that was much more of a niche EDM sound while this track is pop all the way. However, it’s important to remember that generic doesn’t have to mean bad, especially considering that oftentimes generic tracks do better at gaining a mass audience than experimental sounds. So I would not go as far to say that “Ride” is a bad song by any means. It definitely has potential for mass appeal because it’s easy to digest and catchy.
Where KNK truly shines is performance, and that is easily seen in this comeback. Maknae Heejun appears to have supernatural performing abilities as it is, but the opening choreography for “Ride” shows him being lifted off the ground only by the feet of the other members before being lifted into the air by them, giving him an appearance of floating. Anyone who has ever attempted to lift anything or dance in any capacity can attest to how difficult it would be for the members to not only learn this trick, but ensure that they execute on beat and don’t cause injuries to themselves or Heejun. If you look closely you can also see Heejun gripping Jihoo’s leg for support, which means a lot of the balance also comes from his strength. It may appear effortless at first glance, but thinking about everything that went into execution of this choreography is jaw-dropping.
It’s pretty safe to say that the choreography is what stands out the most for this group and what really showcases the talent they have to offer. But the videography has great visuals as well that really bring to life the airline concept. The majority of the dance shots are either within a desert setting or on a runway. The outfits are sharp and add a level of sophistication to the choreography. The video definitely adds much more depth to the comeback itself.
The Album
KNK AIRLINE kicks off with intro “바람, 가을에서 (Autumn, Breeze),” an electro beat track that has a great vibe and builds anticipation into title “Ride.” It’s about 50 seconds long, which feels like a perfect length to set the listener up for the next track. After the title comes “HIGHWAY,” which off the bat has a more infectious beat than “Ride.” I would have chosen “HIGHWAY” as the title; the melody and rhythm alone have a bit more going on than “Ride,” and I tend to lean more toward that kind of complexity.
“You are my reason” shifts gears from the more upbeat tracks to present a sentimental ballad. There is an acoustic element along with a soft rhythm that adds a certain level of emotion to the track. It’s very sweet and feels warm and sincere in nature. The final track on the album is “TIME,” which returns to a more steady beat and matches the feeling of “Ride” and “HIGHWAY.” It has a bit more EDM influence in the rhythm, but overall it’s upbeat and light.
The composition of KNK AIRLINE feels a bit strange, considering that “You are my reason” came before “TIME” and was the only song that didn’t seem to fit the rest of the album. It’s a great addition, but when the full album all has one particular sound, it stands out like a sore thumb. I would have liked to see a bit more variety musically from KNK in this mini-album, as I know they are capable of doing so. If you want a cohesive type of sound, especially pop and EDM influence, then you’ll definitely enjoy this album. But overall, it’d be nice to hear something with more variety for the group’s next return.