JENNIE & Dua Lipa’s “Handlebars“: A Psychedelic Dive into Love’s Chaos
“Handlebars,” the collaborative single by JENNIE of BLACKPINK and Dua Lipa, featured on JENNIE’s debut solo album “Ruby,” released to captivate listeners with its exploration of love’s intoxicating and often chaotic nature, is a meticulously crafted sonic journey into the depths of vulnerability and reckless abandon that often accompany falling deeply in love.
This mid-tempo R&B track, driven by groovy beats that pulse with a hypnotic rhythm, delves into the exhilarating experience of surrendering to romance, capturing the feeling of losing control, akin to being “drunk on a Tuesday,” as the lyrics eloquently express.
The chorus, a poignant reflection on the tendency to “go all in” despite past heartaches, resonates with a universal truth about the human experience, the persistent yearning for connection that often overrides rational caution.
The music video, directed by BRTHR, further amplifies the song’s themes, presenting a visually stunning and psychedelic experience, featuring a heart-shaped spider web where they both harmonize, a powerful symbol of their entangled emotions and the inescapable nature of love’s embrace.
This visual artistry, combined with the song’s emotive lyrics and captivating melodies, creates a multimedia experience that is both immersive and deeply resonant.
This collaboration, building upon previous work together on “Kiss and Make Up” in 2017, showcases the undeniable chemistry between the two artists, their voices blending seamlessly to create a captivating and emotive song that resonates with themes of love and vulnerability.
“Handlebars” serves as a testament to their artistic synergy, demonstrating their ability to create music that is both commercially appealing and artistically substantive.
The song’s ability to capture the complexities of love, the intoxicating highs and the vulnerable lows, creates a listening experience that is both relatable and deeply moving.
This collaboration, a masterclass in artistic synergy, reaffirms the power of music to explore the intricacies of human emotion and create art that resonates with audiences on a profound level.
Quotable Lyrics:
Mercy
Why is it love is never kind to me? (Me)
I heard that fools rush in and, yeah, that’s me (Me)
It burns me time and time again
So why am I still fixing for this frying pan (Thinkin’)
I wonder what you’re doing for tonight and forever (Oh-oh)
I could be the rest of your life or whatever
My lips and your lips, we could press them together (Together, ‘gether)
I don’t ever think twice, and, baby, that’s why
