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TWICE - “SIGNAL” (Single Review)

“Signal” is South Korean K-POP group Twice’s latest release, but how does it hold up compared to the hit singles they’ve released before? 

They’ve chosen to release this single after their short “TWICE 1st TOUR - Twiceland: The Opening” run which saw them visiting overseas performing to sold out crowds in Bangkok, Thailand as well as Singapore in April earlier this year. 

First and foremost, this is Twice’s first ever single penned and produced by K-POP household name, Park Jin Young a.k.a J.Y.P or “The Asiansoul” (who’s done songs for legends such as Rain, iconic boy group 2PM, GOT7 and the recently disbanded 11-piece multi-label girl group; I.O.I). 

As a fan of Twice I had high expectations of this song just as much as anyone, I was actually a tad worried when I first heard the little teasers they posted just a few days before the song + video got released. 

This song definitely had a touch of one of their previous song “Woohoo” (from sophomore release, PAGE TWO) with the selection of certain drum samples, most notably the bass synths and the little pitched-up “HEY!”(s) in the background. Also, this song had a bit of I.O.I’s “very very very”; then again it was produced by the same person. (haha)

This song, however, took a new direction as the all of the singles they’ve released so far had the group’s oldest + visual + vocal member Nayeon kicking off most of the early verses, whether it’d be a line or two. This time, they chose dance-line member Momo starting the real introduction with a short rap backed by fellow Japanese / vocal-line member Mina (which to my surprise, were both effective).

The song then introduces Jeongyeon singing the melodic verse which was followed by Chaeyoung, who is mostly known for her adorable yet slightly bad-ass rapping. What was different is that apart from Chaeyoung’s consistent “I must let you know” lines is that she has a proper melodic verse which shows more of her capabilities. (Like how she starts off the verses in PAGE TWO’s “Precious Love”)

Leader / Main vocal member Jihyo (my bias!!!!) then takes the start of the pre-chorus followed by visual / vocal member, Nayeon. I love the melodies as well as the lyrics for both members since they’re carrying the build-up of the song before heading to the chorus, which takes an unexpected turn. 

Twice has always been a group where their singles’ choruses are lengthy and they’ve stuck with the same format for a while, instead of the Nayeon takes 4 bars >> Jihyo comes for the 4 bars after; or vice versa, this time they have the maknae of the group, Tzuyu leading the group in the center. 

“Signeul bonae, signal bonae, jjirit x4″

This hook was quite fresh the first time I heard it, especially to finally hear Tzuyu and Sana taking the choruses for once. It took me by surprise since it kept me guessing right after Nayeon’s part in the pre-chorus, like “Ok, wait... if Nayeon and Jihyo are leading the build up then who-” the next thing I knew, I was literally bopping from left to right.

However, the song structure has no difference from the first verse to the chorus and it’s somewhat predictable right when Dahyun came in for her very, very short part in this song. You then switch out Chaeyoung with Mina for the 4th verse after Jeongyeon leads the 3rd. All the while, the bridge has only “too doo roo doo doo”(s) and they finish the track with the pasted introduction rap of Momo and Mina, disregard the absence of the usual Jihyo + Nayeon adlibs.

In my personal opinion; the song could definitely be better. 

I was ultimately pleased with the members switching around with their parts, it was refreshing to hear someone else starts off the song (Also bonus points to Mina’s short rapping in the start, it’s cool yet adorable) and the chorus selection might be a little too simple, but that’ll probably attract newer listeners considering the simplicity of the chorus + the fun, quirky choreo.

The instrumentals, however; has J.Y.P. written all over (the lead synths in the choruses is familiar) it but knowing Twice is his precious leading group at the moment, I kind of wished he’d write them something that would’ve outdone I.O.I’s “Very, Very, Very”. 

But that’s just me and my two cents, after all.

PROS: refreshing member structure, Tzuyu + Sana chorus, quirky simple choreo, Mina RAPS!!! / Chaeyoung SINGS!!! (we know they’re all capable but this IS the first time that this happens on a Twice single)

CONS: where’s Dahyun?, a little too similar to I.O.I’s “Very, Very, Very”, very lazy bridge considering the bridges they’ve had for TT and Cheer Up had more of an impact, could be monotonous after some time if you have high expectations. 

FINAL SCORE: 6.8 / 10

I absolutely love Twice and I am a fan, but it’s as if J.Y.P. used the exact same settings, instruments or presets for I.O.I’s tune on this single, which makes it a bit too familiar and it feels like it falls short. However, I loved the fact they switch up the parts and I’m hoping that they’ll keep experimenting with the member structures for their later releases. 

TWICE FIGHTING!

If you want me to review anything else whether it’d be K-POP or music in general, do send me a message!

Bino out!