Song Review: BBGirls – Love 2

It’s been a long seventeen month wait for us Sweetune aficionados. The production duo helmed NINE.i’s excellent Turn It Off in August 2023 and swiftly disappeared, briefly reappearing for forgettable H1-Key and DKZ b-sides last year. Now, they’re back in title track territory with BBGirls’ new single (and first under their new agency) Love 2. So, was the excruciating wait worth it?

There are several distinct types of Sweetune title tracks: the Chaser-esque banger, the retro synthpop anthem, the orchestral masterpiece. There’s also the style found in Love 2 — a moody, midtempo sound that shares more in common with K-pop’s current era of subdued girl group fare. This is my least favorite musical guise for Sweetune, though often the mellow energy can be buoyed by their indelible gift for melody.

Within this framework, Love 2 is not a standout. BBGirls’ strong vocal line should be a match made in heaven with Sweetune’s robust synth tones and soaring hooks. Instead, it feels like everyone involved decided to bring their “b” game. Mind you, a “b” Sweetune track is still superior to many producers at their best, but after such a long wait it’s hard not to be underwhelmed. Love 2 has a great vibe and there are moments when it feels as if its hooks are about to grow into something memorable and exciting, but the song lacks dynamic structure and concludes before it’s able to harness its full potency.

Grade: B-