TWICE- Eyes Wide Open review

TWICE are in something of a metamorphosis. Having taken the torch the legendary Girls Generation lit, they ran with it, reaching new and iconic heights of success for a kpop girl group. However, as the years set in and newer, younger group’s debut, TWICE lost some of their momentum. An interesting string of single choices and concept switches suggest a lack of confidence from a group that at one point, put out nine back to back number ones. Always able to rely on their style over their substance, it was becoming clear that TWICE needed to bring the quality as they moved from being the ‘it’ group. And, it seemed with this years earlier dud of More& More, twice were destined to fade, the rumours of a lack of talent meaning they would only be bolstered up the charts so long as they were the young fresh thing.

With this in mind, a lot rode on their second full album, Eyes Wide Open, and its lead single ‘I Can’t Stop Me’. And, I’m pleased to say, they managed to deliver. For the first time in their career, TWICE have given us a body of work that is quality- not every single song is up to scratch, but as Kpop album goes, it’s a well-crafted, well produced collection.

Lead single ‘I Can’t Stop Me’ is, understandably, the standout. A loud, brassy, peppy production lets us know this is going to be taking the classic TWICE formula we know and love. Retro tinged verses building up to a bombastic chorus, where lead singers Nayeon, Jihyo and Jeongyeon so often shine, with their unique vocal colours showing TWICEs shining, optimistic personality, a rarity that may explain the groups standout success in an industry built on conformity. The video, as always for TWICE, is stunning- the girls are gorgeous, styled to perfection, the backgrounds are a CGI artists dream and the choreography is the classic TWICE style of synchronised perfection. This is going straight to the top end of their singles.

The B-sides, whilst all pleasant and creating an overall good album, offer a mix of quality and genres to take inspiration from. ‘Heaven in Hell’ and ‘Up no more’ are both examples of the growth in TWICEs music this album- a hypnotic, sultry, percussion led trop pop bop and a mid-to-up tempo electro pop song reminiscent of tommy February 6 respectively are both highlights of the album- the girls sound more confident and self-assured than ever, backed by lush, thought out production, and singing in a vocal range that actually suits them.

From there the album plays around with its sounds- from the almost cabaret sounds of ‘Queen’, allowing main vocal Jihyos chesty, brassy voice to really shine through, to the ear worm of ‘Go Hard’- a Middle Eastern inspired, stuttering delight of a song, which allows TWICE to shine in the area they most excel in- quick, snappy tunes that allow them to play around with their voices and sounds, without being pushed too hard.

The one dud to be found in the album would have to be ‘Shot Clock’- it’s not an overly offensive song, but the loud, obnoxious, trumpety production sounds out of place and, frankly, dated to another time in pop. It’s the closest to the ‘classic TWICE B-side’ sound from when they first came out, so it feels disjointed compared to the collection of more sultry, mature songs to be found elsewhere on the album.

‘Bring It Back’ is a song I like, but one I also found disappointing- certain aspects reminded me of the darkly intriguing style of pop The Weeknd is most famous for, that reminds me of air- all at once going from an abundance to a kind of suffocation. So the chorus being nothing but a drop with a dull ‘I’ll bring it baaack’ falls short for me personally, and I wish they would’ve taken a really promising first couple of verses and built the song in a different direction around them, to go from a 6 to a 9.

Thankfully, Eyes Wide Open doesn’t fall into the classic trap of having all the good stuff at the start to then tail off towards the end- in fact, the last four songs are some of the strongest on the album, and are a very sonically pleasing sequencing to the closer ‘Behind The Mask’- an 80s inspired power ballad that is obviously meant to be about the struggles of fame and ones ‘forward face’, but due to the current pandemic, the irony makes me giggle a little. However, my silliness aside, it is a beautiful, understated song, that doesn’t push the girls too far, allowing their vocals to really shine in a relaxed, calming setting.

The preceding 3 tracks also all have their own charms; ‘Say Something’ takes heed of the city pop trend to deliver a cool calm bop, with the girls softly gliding over the track- Taiwanese member Tzuyu sounds particularly pleasant on the bridge, delivering a perfectly airy vocal that fully encapsulates TWICEs signature vocal style.

Tracks ‘Depend On You’ and ‘Handle It’ are also highlights- ‘Handle It’ having a sultry, jazzy feel, with smooth, low vocals creating a warm, easy listening effect and ‘Depend On You’ taking things down a more tropical pop route, with a boppier, but still calm and collected feel.

Overall, Eyes Wide Open is a good, solid effort from TWICE- probably their most repeatable to date. Whilst it’s not an album that has any great artistic statements to make, that really isn’t TWICE’s modus operandi- with their brand of Kpop, it will always be style over substance. However, as they slowly tip their peak and begin their movement into being a legacy group, this album is hopefully indicative of more freedom to create and play with interesting, mature sounds and show us what these nine girls can fully do, unrestrained by the pressure of being Nations Girl Group.

Top picks-

I Can’t Stop Me

Up No More- best B Side

Go Hard

Say Something

Rating- 4/5