Review of TWICE's 'Strategy': Concluding the Year with Another Peak Performance
TWICE, already known for their dominance in the music world, have been on a roll over the past 12 months and show no signs of slowing down. This year, they've stepped up their game by performing in US stadiums, securing their first Number One on the Billboard 200 with 'With You-th', and teaming up with Megan Thee Stallion on 'Mamushi'. As they wrap up 2024, they're dropping their addictively bright new mini-album 'Strategy'.
- READ MORE: TWICE's Tzuyu on cold feet before solo debut: "I wondered whether I could really pull this off"
The 7-track release takes place in a world where love and flirtation are the ultimate solutions to life's problems. On 'Kiss My Troubles Away', they croon, "Just one touch is all it takes / Won't you come and kiss my troubles away?" In the quasi-Christmas song 'Magical', they find a lover with the power to melt the ice. Everything in this universe is cheerful, and negativity doesn't stand a chance.
When TWICE aren't relying on others to fix their issues, they're brimming with unstoppable self-confidence. They make their intentions clear on the title track, "Got you on my radar, soon you're gonna be with me," and boost their confidence with the catchy lyric, "My strategy, strategy / Will get ya, get ya, baby." 'Keeper', a dreamier track underscoring the members as women you'll want to hold onto forever, is written by Dahyun.
The sound of 'Strategy' is a blend of breezy '80s pop from old-school teen movies and newer Y2K-inspired tracks like 'Like It Like It' and 'Sweetest Obsession'. It's quite a balance, with the group easily transitioning between old and new sonic generations.
There were rumors about 'Strategy' featuring Sabrina Carpenter, but it turns out Megan Thee Stallion was the one to lend her fierce, throaty voice to the title track, creating a mix similar to Doja Cat's raspiest bars. It's a fitting finale for a year full of achievements, and while collaborations like these could augment the group's appeal, they've proven that they can shine on their own.
2024 has been an impressive year for TWICE, marked by multiple gold and platinum certifications in Japan, upcoming album releases in Japan, an extensive world tour, and a headlining slot at the Lollapalooza festival, cementing their status as a global powerhouse in the K-pop scene[1][2].
Details
- Release date: December 6, 2024
- Record label: JYP Entertainment/Republic Records
The critically acclaimed 'Strategy' finds TWICE still soaring high, even without any high-profile collaborations[3].
- The addictively bright mini-album 'Strategy' by TWICE, a pop-culture sensation, further solidifies their dominance in the music world, showcasing a blend of '80s pop and Y2K-inspired sounds.
- TWICE's 'Strategy' delves into the realm of pop-music entertainment, with the title track's lyrics hinting at potential romance and the catchy chorus affirming their self-confidence, proving they can shine on their own.
