TWICE’s fourth Korean studio album THIS IS FOR feels like a turning point. It’s sleek, playful, and kind of all over the place in the best way.
by Vy Le | July 16, 2025
If “Moonlight Sunrise” and “Talk That Talk” had a daughter, it would be “THIS IS FOR”. The title track is a big shift from their recent title songs. It leans more into textures – synth and percussion-heavy, almost like you’ve stepped into a gameverse. The pre-chorus is classic TWICE: light, addictive, and so them. But the song ends way too fast. At 2:11, it barely has time to land. It’s catchy, but nothing sticks after the first listen. It honestly feels rushed.
“FOUR” sounds like it was made for the big stages. Picture this: lights dimmed, beat kicks in, then TWICE rises from the floor with the “TWICE, are you ready for the ride?” chant. Immediate chills. Perfect concert opener.
“OPTION” feels dreamy and romantic with that glissando harp that gives it a little fairytale sparkle. Like an old Barbie movie soundtrack, but modern. “MARS” has a nostalgic, early-2000s feel. The chorus line “Do you ever really wonder we are lost on Mars?” weirdly reminded me of “As Long As You Love Me” by Backstreet Boys. It has that soft emotional pull.
“RIGHT HAND GIRL” takes a sharp turn, darker, bolder, girlcrush energy. If “THIS IS FOR” is the pregame track, this one’s for the actual party. The way it opens with Jihyo’s lower register? So good. It sets the tone for the whole song.
Then you have “PEACH GELATO” and “HI HELLO” – the vacation-core duo. “PEACH GELATO” is for tanning on the beach, drink in hand. “HI HELLO” is more bonfire-at-night vibes. Both are easy, breezy, and Mina’s vocals shine on them.
“BATTITUDE (NAYEON, JEONGYEON, MOMO, MINA)” and “DAT AHH DAT OOH (SANA, JIHYO, DAHYUN, CHAEYOUNG, TZUYU)” sound like they belong in a girl group dance battle. Both are fierce and feel like the soundtrack to a Women Street Fighter montage. Definitely baddie-coded.
“LET LOVE GO (JEONGYEON, MOMO, SANA, TZUYU)” is a soft summer moment. I know people are hyping up Jeongyeon and Tzuyu in this, but Momo’s pre-chorus line “II held on so tight 'til my knuckles were white / But if I can survive that, then anyone can” is the one that hit for me. The way it flows into the chorus? So smooth. Like drinking a cold milkshake on a hot day.
“G.O.A.T. (MINA, DAHYUN, CHAEYOUNG)” surprised me. I didn’t realize how well their (Mina, Dahyun, and Chaeyoung) voices blend until this track. The transitions are clean, almost seamless. “TALK” (Nayeon and Jihyo) was one I had high expectations for, and they delivered. Jihyo especially kills it. She recently talked about how her voice changed since her debut – how she used to try sounding cute to match the group’s earlier image. This whole album really shows how far she’s come – more mature and fiercer.
“SEESAW” gives the album a little breather. It’s more chill, laid back. Chaeyoung’s line “didn't mean to love you like that (Yeah), but I can't hold back / Just want a chance, need a chance, yeah” is one of my favorites. It fits her voice so well, and I need more of that.
“HEARTBREAK AVENUE” was the one I was most excited for, and it’s perfect. The whole album feels like a party girl rollercoaster. You start strong with “FOUR” and “THIS IS FOR,” dance through your heartbreaks, scream your power anthems, and end the night realizing no amount of fun can fast-forward the healing with “HEARTBREAK AVENUE”.
And even though “TAKEDOWN” is a KPop Demon Hunters OST, it fits. The energy, the vibe – it doesn’t feel out of place at all. It belongs to this album.
Overall, THIS IS FOR feels like a rollercoaster meets virtual reality meets summer vacation. It dives into heartbreak, healing, empowerment, and love in all its forms. And even though it has a different vibe from TWICE’s past work, it still screams TWICE in the loudest way – and I love that.
My Picks:
HEARTBREAK AVENUE
MARS
PEACH GELATO
THIS IS FOR is now available on all streaming platforms!
