K-Pop debuts can be tricky things. At times, they’re the best song a group delivers. Sometimes, they’re the only song a group delivers!
But, debuts can also be huge wtf moments in an artist’s career. In this feature, I’ll be looking back at debut songs through the prism of time, re-evaluating how well they hold up and how representative they are of an artist’s eventual singles run.
Debut Date: May 6, 2009
Review:
Fire isn’t the first time fans saw 2NE1. Prior to its release, they featured on the quirky Lollipop alongside agency-mates Bigbang. That song resulted in some iconic fashion but the actual music was a bit more scattershot. About six weeks later, the girls seized attention on their own.
Follow-up I Don’t Care was the song that made 2NE1 superstars, but Fire unleashed their signature sound and style — a blend of swaggering hip-hop, explosive EDM and an unlimited supply of fierce charisma. Right from the start, CL literally announces her arrival, but this might as well serve as an introduction to the group as a whole. As the song unfurls, each member is given a chance to command your eyes and ears, instantly establishing 2NE1 as a tight, compelling quartet.
Fire is also interesting because it crystallizes YG Entertainment’s approach to girl groups. The agency boasted female artists before (Lexy’s legacy says hi!), but this song offers a template for how a YG girl group ought to sound. To varying degrees, this torch has since been passed to BLACKPINK and BABYMONSTER, yet I’d argue nobody’s mastered it with quite the same panache. There’s something palpable about the chemistry between these four performers that imbues even the sillier moments of Fire with extra heft.
Does the song hold up?
While its sound is somewhat dated, the hooks and performance definitely stand the test of time.
Is the song stronger or weaker than most of the artist’s title tracks?
As strong as Fire is, the group actually went on to release superior material.
Does the song represent the artist’s music going forward?
Yep, it feels like the foundation of their entire sound.
Hooks
9
Production
9
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
9