BLACKPINK & Selena Gomez, Ice Cream | Track Review 🎵

Standout K-Pop girl group BLACKPINK tap pop superstar Selena Gomez for the short but utterly sweet single, “Ice Cream.”

“Ice cream chillin’, chillin’, ice cream chillin’.” K-Pop girl group BLACKPINK are definitely on the rise in the United States.  After dropping a few bops themselves, and collaborating with Lady Gaga (“Sour Candy”), they are becoming a force to be reckoned.  What better way to continue that upward trajectory than to collaborate with one of pop’s biggest stars, Selena Gomez? The result: “Ice Cream”. Notably, “Ice Cream” features cowrites from Ariana Grande and Victoria Monét.

The “Ice Cream” experience is a short but sweet one – chocked-full of attitude. This record, which clocks in at just under three minutes, is catchy, feisty, and of course, tongue-n-cheek.  Notably, BLACKPINK perform almost exclusively in English; there are just a select few lines in Korean.  The song features electrifying production work by Tommy Brown, Mr. Franks, TEDDY, and 24.  The sleek backdrop is exactly what we’ve come to expect from K-Pop music –

The synths and the beat are marvelous. The sound is very ‘urban pop,’ with plenty of hip-hop cues.  Furthermore, worth noting, there’s a cool ‘oriental’ line that’s quoted by the synths. The first two verses are all collaborative, with Selena Gomez and respective members of BLACKPINK trading various lines. This ends up being a cool approach. Lisa performs the third verse, where the only Korean lyrics in the entire song are found.  Even so, most of it is also performed in English. “Ice Cream” features an epic chorus (collaborative as well) and post-chorus (excerpted above) – easily gets stuck in one’s head:

“Look so good, yeah, look so sweet
Lookin’ good, enough to eat
Coldest with the kiss, so he call me ice cream
Catch me in the fridge, right where the ice be
Lookin’ so good, yeah, look so sweet (Hey)
Baby, you deserve a treat
Diamonds on my wrist, so he call me ice cream
You could double-dip, ‘cause I know you like me.”

Final Thoughts 

What’s the best way to characterize “Ice Cream?” Vibe, vibe, VIBE! Great production, fun songwriting, and a personality-laden performance make this a certified bop.

BLACKPINK & Selena Gomez • “Ice Cream” • YG Entertainment / Interscope • Release: 8.28.20

Photo Credits: YG Entertainment / Interscope