aespa

[Jeremy Blackman]

If Le Sserafim are the down-to-earth, lovable comedians of Kpop, Aespa are something like the opposite. They're basically aliens with their otherwordly vibe and comic-book-y cyberpunk aesthetic.

In fact, they have a whole storyline in which the members have specific superpowers, communicate with their alternate-universe AI doppelgangers, all while fighting the villain Black Mamba (some of which is conveyed in the MV above). Honestly I need to find an explainer video.

LSF puts an emphasis on dance and tackles extremely difficult choreography, and they have two lead singers. Aespa, again, is somewhat the opposite. Their choreo is much simpler and less athletic. In exchange, every member could qualify as lead singer and rapper. Aespa really seems to be a vocal-centric group.

Karina is the most magnetic member for me. She has that main character energy. Her rapping and vocal inflections and her tone are all extremely addictive. I really like Giselle's rapping as well. I could listen to the two of them go back and forth all day. Ningning is a very skilled and showy crooner, but I have to say Winter is the member who delivers the most satisfying vocal fireworks. Her eye-popping high-pitch runs are smooth as butter. Just for one example, her highlight in Next Level (2:17 in the MV) is absolutely transcendent.



This BTS video is pretty remarkable and insightful. Interesting how they determined that Winter's parts needed to be laid down first. And I love how Karina came in determined to nail the first verse specifically, knowing how important it was to the song. Also appreciate her lack of false modesty here; it's like you have to be in a more objective frame of mind in the recording booth.

Besides showing how talented everyone is, it gives an interesting glimpse into the recording industry. There's a huge emphasis on getting the tone and delivery exactly how they want it, while being exactly on-pitch is a non-issue. In fact, pitch is not mentioned a single time, even when one of them (Giselle, I think) does get a little pitchy. I guess it's just understood that pitch correction is going to be applied. Software can adjust pitch with ease and precision; what's more valuable is having a unique tone and inflection and interesting vocal delivery right out of the box. Software can't simulate that, at least not without sounding terribly fake.

I really have mixed feelings about this, because I there's a level of deception to pitch correction that makes me uneasy (moreso in live performance I guess), but at the same time isn't perfect pitch something of a parlor trick compared to all the other things a singer can do with their voice?

[WorldForgot]

Hahaha how come you didn't just make a 'K-Pop' thread?

[Jeremy Blackman]

Hahaha how come you didn't just make a 'K-Pop' thread?

Cause I thought no group can possibly top LSF, then I thought no group can possibly top aespa...

[WorldForgot]

I see...

[Jeremy Blackman]

I see...

The other reason is I think that maybe people are more likely to click on a thread with a band name without the stigma of Kpop.

[Jeremy Blackman]

There's no way...

[WorldForgot]

You better believe it

[Jeremy Blackman]

"UP" is genuinely one of the best pop songs in a while. Karina is a boss, and the whole thing is very reminiscent of Britney Spears. The chunky synth bass is doing so much work here.

[Jeremy Blackman]

Please stand for the Aespa national anthem.



How cool is this? Perfect thumbnail, by the way. (It was the intro track to their first EP.) Also makes it easy to remember their powers...

Karina: rocket-puncher!
Winter: armamenter!
Giselle got xenoglossy!
Ningning: e.d. hacker! (e.d. meaning extra-dimensional, of course)



Currently obsessed with Savage. It kinda has everything. The verse at 1:28 is a pure sugar rush. Giselle is so good! Let her and Karina rap battle in every song.

I don't think there's a track that more perfectly epitomizes Aespa. Next Level edges it out as a better song for me, but Savage is really special. Speaking of which, I might as well do some rankings.

Members:

1. Karina
2. Winter
3. Giselle
4. Ningning

Ningning is great, don't get me wrong—in fact, she might be their most technically-skilled singer. I just find her less interesting. And arguably Winter's talents overlap with hers quite a bit.

Karina should be self-explanatory here. She has the star power and big personality that you need in a group like this, the same thing Yunjin brings to Le Sserafim. Karina's unique timbre brings a certain intrigue and dark color to the group's sound. It's funny, she's not the group's best singer or rapper, but her idiosyncrasies make her essential. (This includes applying megaton doses of vocal fry in a way that's never annoying.)

When Winter hits those high notes, it's like the clouds part and a beam of light blasts through from the heavens. I would confidently submit that she's probably one of the best singers in the world. And it's not just her range, it's all the subtleties, inflections, and artistic choices. Her section at 2:50 in Savage is unreal, her verse at 2:18 in Next Level is legendary, and her bit in Armageddon at 1:18 is literally what got me hooked on the group. (These are all MV times.)

Giselle is underrated even among fans, I think. She's the best rapper by a comfortable margin. Besides the aforementioned Savage example, she really shines in Next Level. (Fans are obsessed with the way she says "I see the NU EVO.") She really deserves more of those showcase opportunities. I don't think people realize that Giselle is sort of the secret ingredient of Aespa—she provides a sense of humor and playfulness that would simply not be present without her. Giselle's "everybody look at me" verse in Savage is so funny. She's also the designated fluent English speaker, which lets her tackle certain English sections where you might want a less-accented delivery.

The songs:

1. Next Level
2. Savage
3. Armageddon
4. UP (Karina Solo)
5. Black Mamba
6. Drama
7. Whiplash

Just a top 7 for now, before I go through their catalogue a bit more patiently.