Song Review: Queencard by (G)I-DLE

I will admit, when I first listened to Queencard, I had many doubts. There were certainly many things to commend, most notably its exciting and hard-hitting production echoing the grit and attitude of ‘Tomboy’, which had been a massive hit last year. On the other hand, its chanty chorus and questionable English lyrics were an immediate cringe-fest.

I’ve grown to realize that K-pop songs with choruses that don’t rely on melody will simply not enamour me at first listen. Those that have can only be counted on one hand. Now that Queencard has been out for a few weeks, I can really appreciate it for what it is, a bit of unserious fun, a song to chant along with almost as a guilty pleasure.

I’m fond of the vocal directing and overall performance of Queencard, and watching their recent recording behind only solidified my thoughts further. Soyeon knows how to make songs memorable and sticky, and time has proven just how effective it has been. Even though I was not a fan at first, I kept replaying the exact ways the members milked their lines, and it helped me grow a new-found appreciation for the song. It might not be for everyone, but it certainly helps it stand out.

As already mentioned, its production is a lot of fun, allowing both the vocals and the instrumentals to take the spotlight. It carries a satisfying groove to bop to in the chorus, and plays around with dynamics (which is always plus points for me), stripping back at the pre-chorus which makes the chorus that much more effective. Its climax also felt satisfying, earned and a great way to end the song.

However, its production still could have gone further. Over the last year of reviewing K-pop songs, I think I’ve figured out that it is truly a pet peeve of mine when songs don’t feel like they fully realized its potential. I think ‘Queencard’ could have leaned much more with the rock aspects and add more funk at certain sections. This was my main issue with ‘Nxde’, where parts really felt uncooked. It isn’t a big issue here in ‘Queencard’, but it is something worth noting.

Addressing the questionable English lyrics, I no longer mind it as it got its point across very well for the empowering message it was trying to portray. Referencing modern pop icons directly in its lyrics serves as a lot of fun despite initially questioning it with my entire being at first. It was then I realized, I haven’t seen it anywhere else in K-pop yet, with the closest thing I can think of is Bruce Lee in NCT 127’s ‘Kick it’ and Gorden Ramsey in Mark’s recent ‘Golden Hour’. When I let go of my questioning and analytical mind and simply listen and have fun with the music, I can fully enjoy the song. I really find myself singing along to the song, especially in the chorus.

All in all, I think Queencard is actually one of IDLE’s most successful title tracks, and is certainly is a step up from last year’s ‘Nxde’, which I initially despised for its tinny violin sample (as a classical instrument player myself), even as the song ended up growing on me.

Hooks – 9
Production – 8
Vocal Delivery – 10
Rap (talk-singing) Delivery – 10
Overall – 9.25