Ranking the standout tracks of 'KPop Demon Hunters': an arduous endeavor
In the animated musical fantasy film, KPop Demon Hunters (2025), produced by Sony Pictures Animation and released by Netflix, the soundtrack stands out as a unique blend of authentic K-pop production and storytelling. Each song is meticulously crafted to reflect the characters' identities, conflicts, and growth within the film's supernatural and mythological world.
The first track on the album, "How It’s Done", is a technically impressive song featuring chaotic rapping, attempts at triplet flows in a 160 bpm track, and a chant-like chorus. This track, performed by Huntr/x's members Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, serves as a confident anthem from the demon-hunting group, showcasing their unity and resilience in the film’s conflict.
The lead single, "Takedown" (Twice version), delivers a dynamic lead with Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung's powerful vocals. This track, produced by top K-pop producers like Teddy Park, represents the fierce, battle-ready spirit of the main characters.
"Soda Pop", sung by Saja Boys, contrasts a sugary, bubblegum pop sound with darker lyrical undertones, reflecting the rival demon-possessed boy band’s deceptive nature. Its sparkly synths mask a sinister edge, symbolizing the film’s theme of hidden evil beneath celebrity façades.
"Golden" is the emotional centerpiece of the soundtrack, featuring vulnerability and ambition. This track, sung by Huntr/x, captures themes of imposter syndrome and grief through anthemic melodies and heartfelt lyrics. It’s the soundtrack’s most streamed track, highlighting its broad appeal and depth.
"Strategy" plays during a flashback to past demon-hunting legends, emphasizing tactical strength and self-reliance with dark synths and a commanding marching beat. This track, remixed as a solo by Twice, elevates it to a mythic status that complements the storyline’s lore.
The counter-intuitive track "Your Idol" is a perfect fit for the villains in the movie, with intricate vocal arrangements. Its unconventional nature may not initially land well on a first listen, but it grows on the audience as the film progresses.
The crescendo-part-resolution track, "What It Sounds Like", uses strings to draw out the most drama possible and is a strong contender for the best song in the soundtrack. This track, while not mentioned for any specific qualities or characteristics, is likely to be a memorable part of the film.
The film might have one of the best collections of songs in decades, with seven songs that could potentially be singles. However, "Takedown" is mentioned as having potential for being formulaic and suffering from holding back, likely to make room for more important songs.
In the world of KPop, every aspect of the songs, including hooks and melodies, is intentional and purposeful. This is evident in the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, where each song is distinctive both musically and narratively, using different musical tones—from catchy pop to emotional ballads—to express characters’ identities, conflicts, and growth within the film’s supernatural and mythological world.
"The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack features a unique blend of books and entertainment, as each song serves as a narrative extension of the film's story and characters."
"The lead single, '"Takedown"', delivers a dynamic lead with powerful vocals, making it an example of the musical genre's potential for storytelling in this film."
