Song Review: aespa – Switchblade (ft. Ty Dolla $ign)

Back when aespa released their latest album, I almost wrote a “buried treasure” post for Switchblade. It’s my favorite track on Lemonade and the rare case of a talk-heavy dance song delivering on its promise. aespa must have known they had a hit on their hands because they’ve taken the rare step of releasing a new music video weeks after their promotions ended. Switchblade makes so many moves that would normally portend disaster for a K-pop track. Its chorus is little more than chanted catchphrases. It enlists an American rapper for extra cred. And, it follows trends rather than setting them. However, this eye-raising blend actually works for Switchblade. The biggest reason Switchblade is successful is its production. Rather than simply lay down an electro dance beat and call it a day, the track switches things up and and offers a real sense of progression as we build to its finale. “Switch it up” is a main lyrical tenet of the chorus, and it’s not false advertising. And in this case, the addition of Ty Dolla $ign ends up being an inspired idea. The fact that his tone is so different from aespa’s injects a great counterpoint that further diversifies the song’s textures. Rather than...