TWICE 'THIS IS FOR' Album Review: Best Work in Their 10-Year Journey?

TWICE's new album "This Is For" has arrived at a monumental moment for the K-pop powerhouse – their 10-year anniversary celebration in 2025. Released on July 11, this fourth Korean studio album (ninth overall) marks their first full-length Korean release since December 2024's mini-album "Strategy".

Since their debut in 2015, TWICE has become a true juggernaut in the music industry. The group has sold out concerts at the world's largest stadiums and charted No. 1 on Billboard 200, Billboard's Top Album Sales, and World Albums charts. Additionally, they were the first Korean group to receive the Billboard Women in Music Award. With 14 brand new songs, including the female empowerment anthem "THIS IS FOR" as the lead track, this new TWICE album showcases a whole new side of the group. Meanwhile, the music video has already gained impressive traction, accumulating over 5.2 million views within just 9 hours of its release.

Is "This Is For" truly the crowning achievement in TWICE's decade-long journey? Let's explore what makes this album potentially their best work yet.

What Is 'This Is For' and Why It Matters in TWICE's Discography

"This Is For" represents a significant milestone in TWICE's musical journey, arriving at their 10th anniversary celebration. The album's title itself carries a special meaning, dedicated to their fanbase known as ONCE, as Jihyo confirmed: "This is for everyone. As the lyrics say in our title songs, we wanted to lift people up and give them confidence through ourselves".

Release Date and Comeback Context

JYP Entertainment officially announced the album on May 21, 2025, following an intriguing "Intro: Four" teaser released two days earlier that featured all nine members in blue skirts emblazoned with "Four". The highly anticipated album dropped on July 11, 2025, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records.

The release aligns perfectly with TWICE's upcoming milestone—their 10-year anniversary celebration in October 2025. The group was formed through the reality competition program "Sixteen" in 2015. Furthermore, the comeback arrived with an exciting announcement on June 9 for the "This Is For World Tour," which kicks off with two nights in Incheon on July 19 and 20.

Fourth Korean Studio Album After 4 Years

"This Is For" marks TWICE's fourth Korean-language studio album and ninth overall. Notably, it arrives after a considerable gap of nearly four years since their last Korean full-length release, "Formula of Love: O+T=<3" from 2021. During this interval, the group primarily released EPs in their home country while focusing on full-length albums for the Japanese market.

The album boasts 14 "upbeat and summery" tracks spanning various genres and soundscapes throughout its nearly forty-minute runtime. Interestingly, it features five sub-unit songs—reminiscent of their approach in "Formula of Love"—allowing members to explore different vocal combinations and styles. Days before the album release, the group also shared nine solo tracks (one for each member), though none were included in the final album.

Connection to TWICE Album List and Legacy

Throughout their career, TWICE has accumulated an impressive discography with twelve number-one albums in South Korea, eight number-one albums on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart, six number-one albums on Billboard Japan Hot Albums, a number-one album in the United States, and six number-one albums on Billboard's World Albums.

"This Is For" stands out in this illustrious twice album list as it showcases their musical evolution. Jeongyeon revealed it was her most challenging album to record due to the diverse genres and styles. The title track carries a powerful message about confidence, letting go of negative influences, and celebrating self-worth, reflecting how the group has matured artistically over their decade-long journey.

Tracklist Breakdown: Genre Variety and Sub-Unit Highlights

The 14-track album presents a diverse musical palette that highlights TWICE's versatility as artists. From empowering anthems to summer bops and emotional ballads, "This Is For" covers significant sonic territory across its nearly forty-minute runtime.

Lead Single 'This Is For': Message and Style

Taking center stage as the lead track, "THIS IS FOR" delivers a powerful female empowerment message meant "for the girls who need to be reminded of the sparkle and shine that they have inside and out". The all-English single celebrates confidence, strength, and self-assurance while encouraging listeners to support each other rather than tear down. However, its brief 2:11 runtime has drawn mixed reactions, with some critics noting the song lacks room to develop fully. Despite its brevity, the track's upbeat rhythm and empowering lyrics showcase TWICE's evolved charm and stage presence.

Upbeat Tracks: 'Peach Gelato', 'Mars'

For fans seeking summer-ready tunes, "PEACH GELATO" and "MARS" deliver energetic vibes. "MARS" brings back memories of TWICE's playful '80s throwback sound, though some note it "just flies by" due to its short duration. The track was composed by an impressive team including Kamille, Perrie Edwards, Romans, and Will Bloomfield. Meanwhile, "PEACH GELATO" features a groove-worthy acoustic guitar rhythm, though some reviewers consider it "half-baked" without room to expand beyond its initial pattern.

Chill Vibes: 'Seesaw', 'Heartbreak Avenue'

For more relaxed listening, "SEESAW" and "HEARTBREAK AVENUE" round out the album with emotional depth. "SEESAW," running 3:30, was composed by an all-star team including Amy Allen, Leroy Clampitt, Megan Bülow, and James Abrahart. "HEARTBREAK AVENUE," at 3:16, stands as one of the album's most rewarding tracks according to some critics, featuring "a well-rounded, bass-centered groove with city pop guitar solos" that showcases the members' "soulful croons".

Sub-Unit Songs: A Return to Formula of Love Style

Particularly noteworthy is the return of sub-unit songs, not seen since their 2021 album "Formula of Love: O+T=<3". This approach divides the members into smaller groups:

"BATTITUDE" features Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, and Mina
"DAT AHH DAT OOH" brings together Sana, Jihyo, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu
"LET LOVE GO" showcases Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, and Tzuyu
"G.O.A.T." highlights Mina, Dahyun, and Chaeyoung
"TALK" presents a duet between Nayeon and Jihyo

Among these, "Let Love Go" stands out with its "summery dance vibes". These unit tracks serve a practical purpose beyond musical variety—they're perfectly suited for concert performances, allowing non-participating members to rest during live shows.

Member Contributions and Creative Growth

Beyond the diverse tracklist, "This Is For" showcases remarkable growth in the members' creative contributions. The group has truly expanded their artistic horizons throughout their decade-long journey.

Solo and Unit Performances

For the "This Is For" world tour, all nine members recorded individual solo songs, although these tracks aren't included on the album itself. These tour-exclusive performances range from Nayeon's "MEEEEEE" to Tzuyu's "DIVE IN," specifically created for their 360-degree stage concept. Moreover, JYP Entertainment confirmed that TWICE is "expanding [their] range of activities" with these nine solo tracks alongside the album's 14 songs.

On top of their solo endeavors, Jihyo, Jeongyeon, and Chaeyoung participated in the Netflix film "Kpop Demon Hunters," recording the soundtrack version of "Takedown". This project has "broken records and has become a global phenomenon". Meanwhile, Chaeyoung is set to release her debut solo album later in 2025, which she describes as capturing her "tastes, thoughts, attitude, and personality".

Recording Challenges and Vocal Range

The group's collective vocal range spans approximately 1.6 octaves (G#3 - D#5), presenting both opportunities and challenges. Jeongyeon specifically mentioned this was her most challenging album to record: "Every single song was so hard for me to sing...it was really hard, but I want to give myself a pat on the back for stretching through it".

Chaeyoung found joy in "discovering new sides of my voice while recording," although she admitted this exploration was simultaneously the "hardest" aspect of the process. Interestingly, Jihyo uncovered a surprising passion for rapping during production, noting "the hook part of the title song is all rap, and it was so much fun recording that part".

Personal Favorites and Reflections

Regarding their favorite tracks, Nayeon particularly connected with "This Is For" and "Right Hand Girl," explaining the latter is "really about drawing strength from others so that I can go on". Essentially, the members view this album as a reflection of their 10-year journey together.

The group collectively emphasized through JYP Entertainment that "This album holds special meaning for us, and we included a lot of the members' opinions during the production". Throughout their career, perseverance has remained central to their success, with Jihyo advising newcomers: "hang in there, good times will come".

Tour and Promotions: 'This Is For' World Tour

Following the release of their album, TWICE has unveiled plans for their sixth world tour titled "THIS IS FOR," supporting their new music with an ambitious global schedule.

Tour Locations and Dates

JYP Entertainment officially announced the tour on June 9, 2025, revealing an extensive 13-stop itinerary across Asia and Australia. First and foremost, the group will kick off performances with two nights at Inspire Arena in Incheon, South Korea on July 19-20. Subsequently, they'll embark on a dome tour through Japan, with shows in Osaka (July 26-27), Aichi (August 23-24), Fukuoka (August 30-31), and Tokyo (September 16-17). The Asian leg continues with performances in Macao (September 27-28), Bulacan (October 4), and Singapore (October 11-12). In November, TWICE heads to Australia for Sydney (November 1-2) and Melbourne (November 8-9) before returning to Asia for concerts in Kaohsiung (November 22), Hong Kong (December 6), and Bangkok (December 13-14). Currently labeled as "Part 1," additional dates and locations will be announced in the future.

360-Degree Stage Concept

Most notably, this tour introduces an unprecedented feature for all venues—a complete 360-degree open seating arrangement. Consequently, this innovative stage design effectively blurs the boundaries between performers and audience, creating a fully immersive concert experience. Unlike traditional concert setups with designated front sections, this omnidirectional stage allows fans to enjoy TWICE's performances from every angle. In fact, JYP Entertainment describes it as providing a "three-dimensional and lively" viewing experience that enhances the connection between the group and their fans.

Fan Expectations and Setlist Predictions

As the tour approaches, fan speculation about the potential setlist has intensified. Enthusiasts predict an expansive 40-song setlist featuring a balanced mix of new tracks from "THIS IS FOR" alongside beloved classics. Predictions include unit performances of sub-unit songs like "Let Love Go," perfectly suited for concert settings. Equally important, JYP Entertainment has confirmed that the second Incheon show on July 20 will be live-streamed via Beyond LIVE with a re-streaming option available on September 6. For fans attending in person, the combination of the new album material with the 360-degree stage concept undoubtedly promises an unprecedented concert experience that showcases TWICE's evolution over their decade-long career.

Is This the Best TWICE Album Yet?

Debates have erupted among fans and critics alike regarding "This Is For" and its place in the twice album catalog. With its shortened song formats and style shifts, the new twice album has generated polarized opinions across the K-pop community.

Critical Reception and Fan Reactions

Fan reactions to the twice new album reveal a complex verdict. Many praise the album's "high-quality music with positive energy" yet express disappointment with the title track's brevity: "When it ended I was like 'that's it!?'". Numerous listeners note that while the title track feels incomplete, the b-sides shine brighter: "It's good but the bsides are better". Certainly, professional critics have been less forgiving—Sputnikmusic rated it 2.8/5, calling it a "10th anniversary misstep", suggesting the album "could have easily been much better as an EP".

Comparison to Previous Albums

When positioned against other entries in the twice album list, "This Is For" presents several distinctions. Firstly, it "stripped much of the catchy '80s pop/disco revival present in its predecessors". Surprisingly, unlike their previous work, particularly "Formula of Love," fewer members contributed to songwriting. Admittedly, some critics argue the group has "lost any semblance of personality they had left" compared to their signature releases. In contrast, others defend the collection as a "phenomenal project" showing their versatility.

TWICE Album Sales and Streaming Impact

Despite mixed reviews, the twice album sales performance tells a different story. The album immediately topped Hanteo's daily chart upon release and reached #2 on iTunes Worldwide Albums Chart. Furthermore, TWICE became "the most-streamed girl group on global Spotify on their comeback day". At this point, the album has surpassed 430,000+ copies sold on Hanteo and debuted with over 9.3 million streams on Spotify—their "BIGGEST DEBUT on the platform". By comparison with previous releases, these figures suggest the album's commercial appeal remains robust regardless of critical reception.