While Armageddon starts super robust with K-pop singles “Supernova” and the title track, Cut No. 3 “Set the Tone” feels like a jerky left turn. The thumping hip-hop track brings exhilarating punches of synthesizers to the production but eventually does not really feel as effective or convincing of a efficiency from the aespa members.

With such a exceptional song title and satisfyingly crunchy synth operate, a song about the exhilaration of the group chat gets a bit overrun with a couple of also quite a few messages, and aespa will bring far far more engaging subjects to other songs in Armageddon.

A sweet fan anthem devoted to aespa’s MYs, “Melody” brings a delightful piano for the members to sing straight to their supporters: “You make me feel so lucky,” they sing. “‘Cause you’re MY whole world.” It’s a appropriate way to close out aespa’s initially complete-length album and feels like a bit of a throwback to a trend from classic K-pop albums of the previous that have a tendency to finish with a fan-devoted track and slowing down the tempo.

An unexpected tropical vibe requires hold at the halfway mark with “BAHAMA” as Track No. 6 to show aespa is, when once again, under no circumstances going to provide one particular flavor but as an alternative show off their variety, even far more so on a complete-length. The island theme does not specifically scream aespa, but it is a welcome new excursion for the girls.

Opening with an addictive churning rock-pop hook, “Licorice” speaks to an infatuation in contrast to something you have seasoned just before. They croon, “It tastes so sweet but sour / Oh, sugar and spice… / You’re like licorice.”

Despite aespa’s metaverse idea and bigger-than-life personas, we really like hearing them lean into their human side in “Prologue.” Over a deceivingly upbeat pop production, the girls address the issues and messiness of expanding up, admitting to anxiousness, disappointments, and loss of passion. But hearing the aespa ladies declare, “Baby, I’m a weirdo, I know,” in the chorus is super refreshing and tends to make the listener really feel like possibly we’re all far more alike than we comprehend.

A surefire future concert favourite, “Live My Life” brings a previously explored rock edge to aespa’s musical planet. Embracing these who dare to be various and dream, the empowerment anthem feels like what aespa’s initially original English single, “Life’s Too Short,” really should have been — bold, exhilarating and tends to make clear why they’re so various like “Live My Life” does versus “Life’s Too Short” which felt like aespa attempting to blend into Top 40 radio fodder with a protected, acoustic pop sound.

As the centerpiece title track single in aespa’s initially complete-length album, “Armageddon” is a correct statement piece. The tougher hip-hop glimmer feels like the acceptable subsequent evolution from previous singles and enables the quartet to provide heavier self-confidence and emphasize their energy as a group. Unexpected points of the song, like the “Bang chitty bang bang” pre-chorus or the stretched-out hums on the chorus, gradually get stuck in the listeners’ heads and ultimately come to be some of the most memorable components of the track. Another unanticipated but wholly welcomed moment comes into the chant-heavy outro exactly where it sounds like aespa is signaling the subsequent phase of their pop invasion, telling listeners, “Warning: All night long.”

Our translation? aespa is not stopping anytime quickly.

With the similar icy coolness as some of aespa’s most experimental cuts, “Mine” really should go down as one particular of the greatest b-sides of K-pop in 2024, largely thanks to a fascinating assemblage of vocal distortions and effects utilized. The members’ voices go from dark and deep to glitchy and sweet as they sing about facing their inner demons, with the lyrical and production selections adding a deeper layer to the song’s all round which means.

aespa actually couldn’t have asked for a improved kickoff for this album. A glittering cosmic dance track, “Supernova” introduces this chapter of aespa’s storytelling into their new universe and opens doors to a entire new dimension. Showcasing KARINA and GISELLE’s biting rap designs with WINTER and NINGNING’s vocals at their absolute greatest — and the members all capable to blend roles — “Supernova” feels like the variety of track only aespa could pull off, creating it all the far more best of a return to kind. Plus, the extra whirring synthesizers that join midway via the second verse are a final cherry on leading to show how “Supernova” is not applying copy-paste formulas — a staple all through aespa’s strongest music moments with this new track as a shining jewel in their K-pop crowns.