Who would’ve thought that in 2025, we’d see Maroon 5 staging their comeback by diving headfirst into the K-pop universe? Yet here we are, watching Adam Levine and crew bridge the gap between Western pop-rock and the unstoppable force of Korean pop culture with their latest single “Priceless” — and surprisingly, it works.
The collaboration with Blackpink’s Lisa marks more than just another cross-cultural experiment. It’s a deliberate return to form for a band that’s spent the better part of a decade shape-shifting through various pop incarnations. The track’s raw, guitar-driven sound feels like stumbling upon an old photo album — slightly dusty, but full of cherished memories.
“It’s just a guitar-based song, which we haven’t really done in so long,” Levine shared recently, his voice tinged with the kind of nostalgia that can’t be manufactured. Perhaps the most endearing detail? The guitar intro was captured on Levine’s iPhone — a charmingly lo-fi touch in an era of overproduced perfection.
The timing couldn’t be more crucial for Maroon 5. Their last real chart success came with 2021’s “Beautiful Mistakes” featuring Megan Thee Stallion, which peaked at No. 13 on the Hot 100. Since then? Well, let’s just say 2023’s “Middle Ground” didn’t exactly set the world on fire.
Enter Lisa — Blackpink’s powerhouse performer whose solo ventures have been nothing short of remarkable. Her presence on “Priceless” isn’t just strategic; it’s transformative. The cinematic music video, helmed by director Aerin Moreno, pays homage to “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” while showcasing both artists in their element. Shot on 35mm film in downtown Los Angeles, it’s got that timeless quality that’s becoming increasingly rare in today’s digital-first landscape.
For the die-hard fans who’ve stuck around since the “Songs About Jane” era, guitarist James Valentine’s reaction to the demo might hit close to home. “I got super emotional,” he admits, noting how the track channels the band’s early-2000s essence. It’s that sweet spot before they became the pop behemoth we know today — when their sound was still rough around the edges in all the right ways.
Looking ahead, Maroon 5’s got their plates full. Their eighth studio album is set to drop this summer, while their Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM continues to draw crowds even after 40 shows. A world tour looms on the horizon, suggesting the band’s far from done.
In an industry where rock bands increasingly feel like endangered species — just ask OneRepublic or Imagine Dragons — Maroon 5’s latest reinvention might just crack the code on staying relevant without selling out. Whether “Priceless” returns them to their chart-topping glory remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: they’re proving that sometimes the best way forward is to remember where you started.
The real question? Maybe it’s not about chasing trends or forcing evolution. Sometimes it’s about finding that sweet spot between what you were and what you could be — even if it takes a detour through K-pop to get there.
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