BLACKPINK’s Jennie appears intent on selling as many singles from her debut album as potential, and given how lengthy YG Leisure saved her music locked within the dungeon I don’t blame her one bit. With expertise as notable as Dua Lipa on the observe Handlebars, it is sensible to offer the music a music video. In spite of everything, this can be a long-gestating success after BLACKPINK featured on one among Dua’s tracks approach again in 2018.

Given this pairing, I used to be anticipating a way more uptempo music. For me, Dua Lipa is at her greatest when occupying the dancefloor and Jennie is most potent with materials that attracts upon her charisma. Handlebars is oddly mid-tempo, like a disco comedown after the celebration has ended. This isn’t essentially a foul factor, however squanders the potential of each artists. Handlebars seeks to painting a soulful heat by means of its bass-heavy instrumental and smoldering melodies. This requires a sure fashion of vocal. Each Jennie and Dua have immediately identifiable tones and that goes a good distance towards protecting Handlebars‘ flaws, however even with this added persona I’m not fairly offered on the music.

When it comes right down to it, Handlebars merely appears like a pleasing b-side — connective tissue between greater moments on the album. It really works on this context, managing expectations to the purpose the place its lilting refrain turns into a dynamic sing-along. However in contrast with the opposite high-profile duets on Ruby, the producers might have given this a weightier association.

Grade: C+