K-pop phenoms 2NE1 have made their long-awaited comeback with new single “Falling in Love.” The reggae-influenced track makes has a breezy, summery feel to it and showcases 2NE1’s knack for fierce sing and rap stylings mixed with catchy hooks.
It’s not a truly standout moment for the foursome, but it is a nice return from a group that has been missing from the scene for almost a year. The group also gets points for incorporating a rarely-heard reggae genre to K-pop.
The video accompanies the audio nicely with CL, Minzy, Dara and Bom in summer-ready outfits dancing outdoors on the beach and in Jamaica-themed sets. In fact, it wouldn’t have been to surprising to see Snoop Lion pop in for a cameo at one point. There also seems to be an added focus on youngest member Minzy letting her lead both verses and rocking a florescent pink wig.
In addition to dropping “Falling in Love,” YG Entertainment has announced that 2NE1 will be releasing a new single every month from July to October, when its new record will be released; it has not been decided if it will be an EP or full-length album. The lengthy wait is odd, as fans may remember hearing a similarly-sounding intro track (featuring CL rapping in English) when 2NE1 performed “I Love You” on TV last summer. If the track had been crafted a year ago, what was the hold up?
Trending on Billboard
2NE1 last made a splash on the K-Pop Hot 100 with their only 2012 single “I Love You” reigning No. 1 for two weeks last summer. Leader CL recently released her debut solo single “The Baddest Female” which peaked at No. 4 last month.
Billboard talked to CL in February about the project. “I feel like ‘I Am the Best’ or ‘Can’t Nobody’ are very much 2NE1’s style,” she says. “Moving forward, we’re sticking to the original and we’re going to go back to the fun, crazy, different 2NE1.”