SINGAPORE – In this weekly column, The Straits Times curates the most buzz-worthy music you need to know about now.

Ace Album: Blackpink – Born Pink

To no one’s surprise, Blackpink’s sophomore album Born Pink was one of the most anticipated releases of the year, with more than two million pre-orders before it even dropped on Sept 16.

The first few songs check all the boxes that made the K-pop quartet so massively popular: bouncy hip-hop beats, zippy tempo changes, in-your-face lyrics and grrl-powered affirmations.

Though it may seem like the megastars are playing to the gallery, Born Pink is not all formulaic.

Amid the modern pop bluster, first single Pink Venom incorporates traditional Korean instruments such as the gayageum, a nod to their roots.

While Ready For Love’s electronic dance music beats would fit perfectly in a dance music festival setlist, piano-led ballad The Happiest Girl takes thing down a notch and ensures that the album is well-paced.

Rose even gets a solo outing on the disco-tinged Hard To Love. Frequent collaborator and producer Teddy Park has a hand in crafting many of the tracks, but Rose and Jisoo also get writing credits on the shimmering, 1980s new wave-inspired tune Yeah Yeah Yeah. – Eddino Abdul Hadi

Must-See MV: Lewis Capaldi – Forget Me

Forget about a six-pack. The Dad Bod is where it is at, as Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi proudly shows off in the kitschy music video for Forget Me, his first new song in almost three years.

The clip is a shot-by-shot remake of English pop duo Wham!’s music video for their 1983 hit Club Tropicana.

Just like the late singer George Michae...