Kep1er has made their first comeback as a seven-member group. Released on November 1, <TIPI-TAP> contains five songs that showcase Kep1er’s new direction. Earlier this year, Yujin, Xiaoting, Chaehyun, Dayeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih, and Youngeun became the first Mnet project group ever to renew their contract. As part of this agreement, the group underwent restructuring that saw the departure of former members Mashiro and Yeseo. The title track “TIPI-TAP” draws on a trendy drum and bass sound to reintroduce Kep1er as seven. 

TRACKLIST: 

1. “sync-love”

2. “TIPI-TAP”

3. “Drip”

4. “Bitter Taste” 

5. “Heart Surf” 

The Title Track: TIPI-TAP

Composed by Se.A, Wonjong Lee, Rid Kruger, and YOUHA, “TIPI-TAP” combines the drum and bass (DnB) genre with hyperpop for a percussive sound currently popular in the K-Pop sphere. Lyrically, Kep1er consults fate for answers to love. The song’s title references origami fortune tellers, a children’s paper craft that gives players answers based on their choices. These objects’ names varies regionally, like America and Canada’s “cootie catcher,” India’s “Tippy-tippy-tap,” and Korea’s “동서남북 종이접기,” which combines “origami” with the cardinal directions: east, west, south, and north.   

The song’s music video includes this children’s game concept with references to games like hide and seek, freeze tag, and a four-flap origami fortune teller. One scene with Chaehyun and Xiaoting being spotted in a set of miscellaneous objects reminds me of the I SPY series of books (that’s childhood nostalgia right there!). The music video fits thematically and appears with a nice color scheme, which is a step up from Kep1er’s previous comeback. 

Though “TIPI-TAP” has an catchy chorus, it fails to adequately showcase Kep1er’s full vocal and rap capabilities. For a comeback that serves as a reintroduction to the group, the song unfortunately falls flat. Kep1er’s title tracks tend to skew on the louder and more musically dynamic side. “TIPI-TAP” left me wondering about the instrumental’s lack of power, whether I’d hear a rap section by Dayeon and Hikaru, and the absence of a grand climax. 

The B-Sides: Hyperpop and R&B

Where I thought “TIPI-TAP” fell short, the rest of the EP fills in those gaps. Kep1er continues with hyperpop with “sync-love.” Though “sync-love” overlaps in genre with the title track, this song allows Kep1er to offer more in terms of vocals and rap. It opens the EP with a vibe that takes listeners to outer space: it sounds futuristic and light. 

The first R&B track of the EP, “Drip,” sees Kep1er smoothly serenading a female love interest. It features Youngeun as one of its lyricists, and she also provides lyrics for the EP’s final track “Heart Surf.” “Bitter Taste” infuses hip-hop with R&B for a chill beat accompanied by some sweet singing. Kep1er’s vocals shine the most on “Heart Surf,” a song I think will grow into a fan favorite. This gentle dance and R&B song is the perfect way to close out the EP.  

The Verdict: A Great Package With an Average Title Track

Conceptually, Kep1er nailed <TIPI-TAP>: the childhood game aesthetic bleeds into every corner of the EP’s marketing. The connect the dots-themed scheduler, the bright concept photos, the tic-tac-toe-inspired track list, and the highlight medley playing like a game board all capture the idea. Unfortunately, my first impression of its title track did not match that same enjoyment. 

“TIPI-TAP” is a cute, trendy song for an easy listening experience, but it does not feel representative of “Kep1er” to me. I am, however, still anticipating what the group will cook up next. I’ve never shied away from talking about how much I enjoy Kep1er’s discography, and their new B-sides are no different. The focus on R&B is something I’d love to see Kep1er explore more in future releases. 

“TIPI-TAP” TITLE TRACK SCORE: 7/10 

“TIPI-TAP” MUSIC VIDEO SCORE: 7.5/10 

<TIPI-TAP> EP SCORE: 8.5/10 

Overall Score: 7.7/10

Edited by Rachael Lovette