BLACKPINK How You Like That: A Critical Look at the Highly Anticipated Comeback

Promotional image for BLACKPINK's 'How You Like That' single, released in 2020.

The anticipation surrounding any BLACKPINK release has reached fever pitch. After a prolonged period with minimal new material, the mere prospect of a new BLACKPINK song, “How You Like That”, was enough to ignite excitement among fans. However, in an industry where scarcity is used to build mystique, the music itself must justify the wait. Unfortunately, “How You Like That” falls short of expectations, echoing the Teddy-produced formula of previous hits like “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” and “Kill This Love,” but amplifying the less appealing aspects.

YG Entertainment’s Missed Opportunity

There are few excuses for this underwhelming offering. YG Entertainment, managing one of the world’s most prominent girl groups, possesses immense resources, even after navigating recent agency scandals. Following a year-long hiatus, the group’s comeback with “How You Like That” should have been a statement. Instead, the track feels generic and uninspired. Stripped of BLACKPINK’s established name and dedicated fanbase, “How You Like That” would likely struggle to gain traction.

Initial Promise and Subsequent Disappointment

The song begins with a glimmer of hope. A pulsating electro beat underpins a melodic introduction, reminiscent of earlier 2NE1 tracks produced by Teddy. This initial segment suggests a potentially interesting direction. However, “How You Like That” quickly loses its way, stumbling into a chorus that ranks among the most disappointing of the year.

The chorus of “How You Like That” is a repetitive and grating series of English phrases, delivered with an almost childish arrogance that feels beneath BLACKPINK’s established artistry. Lines like “Look at you, now look at me,” repeated incessantly, fail to create a compelling hook. Instead of projecting badass confidence, the lyrics come across as shallow boasting, a sentiment that feels particularly out of touch with the current global climate.

Hollow Braggadocio and Tired Formula

If “How You Like That” possessed the musical substance to back up BLACKPINK’s self-assured image, the lyrical content might be more palatable. However, the song fails to deliver on this front. Listening to BLACKPINK assert their greatness for the majority of the track, only for it to culminate in a predictable, double-time beat drop – a signature element in many YG hype tracks – feels increasingly stale.

Ultimately, the core issue is that BLACKPINK has not been consistently provided with material that truly justifies the immense global hype surrounding them. Looking back to 2017, in the wake of tracks like “Playing With Fire” and “As If It’s Your Last,” the confident persona presented in “How You Like That” might have felt authentic. But in 2020, after a succession of lukewarm and infrequent comebacks, this boastful attitude rings increasingly hollow.