aespa “MY WORLD” Album Review

MY WORLD – The 3rd Mini Album – EP

aespa

• Genre: K-Pop
• Date: 08 May, 2023
• Content: Not-explicit
• Region: NGA
• Track(s): 7
• ℗ 2023 SM Entertainment, under exclusive license to Warner Records Inc.

It’s no secret that girl groups are now dominating the K-pop scene, and with several ways to produce world-beating music, each release over the past 18 months has seemed like a new leveling up, a continual lifting of the bar from which fans benefit. After several months of delays, SM Entertainment’s aespa is here to add their most recent product to the fray and, perhaps, establish a new benchmark in the process.

The four-piece’s third mini-album, “MY WORLD,” is their first new music since 2023 (apart from “Hold On Tight,” which they contributed to the Tetris OST). With six tracks that each attempt to outdo the others, it also symbolizes the group finally delivering on their early promise after the mixed bag that was 2022’s “Girls.”

Even though this is Aespa’s first significant performance of the year, four songs on “MY WORLD” may appear familiar. Most of the tracklist debuted at the group’s ‘SYNK: Hyper Line’ performances in Seoul in February, when fans were given a sneak preview of a setlist that included over half of the brand-new songs. The quartet’s pursuit of significant pop girl status is aided by their catchy songs and flawless performances, which make the recorded versions exciting additions to the aespa canon and demonstrate their flexibility.

Album Art

A green balloon-like item floating in the sky with the album’s title on it is all that the album art features, which is basically pictures of some of Korea’s buildings. The group’s allusion to “Skyscrapers” may allude to the great heights the group hopes to reach in their careers, which is quite a lofty objective, or it may just be a representation of how stunning Korea can be.

Tracks And Features

The first track and pre-release single from The Six-Track Project, “Welcome to My World,” which includes Naevis from Aespa’s SMCU narrative, serves as the project’s introduction. It is described as a “dreamy” and “majestic” alternative pop song featuring a “guitar riff and orchestra” with lyrics about “inviting Naevis [and the listener] to the music world of Aespa.” The quartet’s backstory, which has been strongly alluded to in earlier songs, describes naevis as an AI system enabling members to see each other in the real world. The figure was meant to debut at SXSW in March as a component of a VR performance from aespa, but it didn’t appear.

She does appear here, although it is simple to overlook her. She is only said to have contributed a few “da ra ra di da da” backup vocals and the bridge echoing of the human band members to the song “Welcome To MY World,” which grows from whispered foundations to a sweeping epic. Similar to how Aespa’s lore feels much more subdued in this group of songs—traceable with enough effort, but without any mention of Kwangya to confound or complicate matters for the uninitiated listener.

“Intense synth-bass sound [and] dynamic beat rhythm” were said to define the dance and pop song “Spicy,” the album’s second track and lead single. Although ‘MY WORLD’ may have toned down the layers of the SM Culture Universe in its songs, it retains the distinctive sound that has made aespa famous. A classic example of a rush of attitude-filled pop that zips, revs, and roars is the title track, “Spicy.” It has self-assured lyrics (“Tell me what you see / When you look at me / ‘Cause I am a 10 out of 10, honestly”) and an appropriate dosage of ’90s female power attitude, making you feel like the main character.

The album’s standout track, “Salty & Sweet,” pulses with industrial synth grinds and the unorthodox musical techniques that have become a crucial component of Aespa’s DNA. It is a sensuous slink through the darkness of the group’s environment, made all the more delectable by its darkness. They sing in the chorus, “‘Cause I am salty and sweet / You can’t resist this fresh new treat,” which becomes a self-fulfilling forecast once you can’t get the song out of your brain.

Aespa’s “Thirsty” starts with a rippling tune reminiscent of Ariana Grande’s “Thank u, next,” Instead of moving on from someone, they are deeply engaged in flirting. It’s fluffy and soft, capturing the daydreaming sensation of a brand-new crush. ‘I’m Unhappy,’ ‘Salty & Sweet’s’ main competition for most notable rhythm, brings things crashing back to Earth. As its name implies, it evokes sorrow and desire while giving the topic a distinctive Spanish perspective. As the ladies yearn for “the real thing” instead of social media’s manufactured facades, Karina notes: “Everyone looks perfect every day / As if I’m the only one logged out / The distance between the world and my heart is / So far.”

The trio had decided on some contentment at the song’s conclusion, and that feeling continues to the album’s closing piece, “Til We Meet Again.” It’s a soft ballad that sparkles and is attractive; it can be intended as a message for their followers or bandmates. The four-piece sings, “Til we meet again / Remember when you’re alone / The power of the music / Will connect us,” even if the sentimental reminder doesn’t make the song more memorable.

Tracklist

NO	TITLE	TIME
1	Welcome To MY World (feat. nævis)	3:26
2	Spicy	3:17
3	Salty & Sweet	3:21
4	Thirsty	3:13
5	I’m Unhappy	3:25
6	‘Til We Meet Again	3:38

Album Summary

Even though MY WORLD is a shorter offering, it more than makes up for in quality. The instrumentals are incredibly captivating and provide the group’s abilities with a solid base. A more upbeat approach allows Aespa’s abilities to shine through, and their established sound is allowed the freedom to develop. Fans will wish they had gone further with the mysterious theme “Welcome to MY World” established because it was unique for the genre. Despite this, aespa remains one of the most potent artists from the fourth generation, and many will hope that the prospect of a full-length record may be decided upon soon.

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