aespa is “Savage” as They Take On Black Mamba in New Comeback
SM Entertainment’s rookie girl group aespa, who took over the Korean music industry with their chart-topping single “Next Level,” is back with their first mini-album Savage. The quartet has released the trap-influenced track “Savage” as a follow-up to “Next Level” and “Black Mamba.” With intriguing new visuals, concept details, and hidden messages, aespa continues to captivate the audience with their unique concept, this time showcasing their versatility as well.
Story So Far...
With “Black Mamba,” aespa introduced their audience to the world of KWANGYA, the titular villain Black Mamba, and their virtual counterparts, æs. With the first episode of SM Culture Universe (SMCU), SM Entertainment introduced the worldview and contextualized KWANGYA. Fans were also greeted with the concept that all SM artists reside in the world of KWANGYA. Since then, the company has included multiple references to KWANGYA via visuals and lyrics in releases besides aespa’s. In “Next Level,” we found aespa venturing into KWANGYA to face Black Mamba that has caused a fissure between the real and virtual worlds. “Savage” directly picks up where “Next Level” left off. While the release was not accompanied by a new SMCU episode, the story progresses via the lyrics on the new album.
Let’s Talk Music
Tracklist
1. ænergy
2. Savage
3. I’ll Make You Cry
4. YEPPI YEPPI
5. ICONIC
6. 자각몽 (Lucid Dream)
“Savage”
An instant earworm, “Savage” is a perfect pop banger. Unlike “Next Level,” the new title track has a relatively familiar song structure. A trap genre song centered around strong attack drums and bass, the song features a unique rap verse, powerful ad-libs, as well as an extremely addictive hook. The song can easily be placed in the company of powerful girl group anthems by artists BLACKPINK and CLC, all the while retaining the signature SM flavor honed by producer Yoo Youngjin. Superficially, the lyrics to “Savage” are about aespa’s battle with Black Mamba. However, by digging a little deeper, the song’s lyrics are filled with metaphors and are a clapback to haters who try to intimidate them and label young women as being too wild for retaliating. As seen in the English translation, aespa refers to these intimidation tactics as “hallucinations” and “illusions” of the black mamba.
The futuristic music video features aespa getting ready to battle Black Mamba in KWANGYA. As the lyrics of the song suggest, aespa is in complete control of the war. The music video also features the æs who have been infected by Black Mamba’s negative energy. The villainous figure in the music video is a reptilian eye sitting atop a mechanical hexagonal structure. Fans have theorized that the structure might be related to EXO, as their logo resembles the hexagon. During the bridge, the video turns into a 2D animation sequence as aespa meets their leader Naevis. With a colorful and dystopian wardrobe, aespa performs an intricate choreography that matches the song’s trap beats. Watch the sci-fi music video for “Savage” below!
B-Sides
Opening with the powerful and anthemic track “ænergy,” Savage sets the bar high from the beginning. Filled with new SMCU terminology, “ænergy” is a hype anthem that commences aespa’s war against Black Mamba. The drums and loping melody adds to the building excitement, as the aespa members chant their name and hype up their fans and æs.
Produced by IMLAY and written by hitmaker Kenzie, “I’ll Make You Cry” opens with an ear-catching synth sound reminiscent of Beyoncé’s “Diva.” The synth sound builds up as the song progresses, making it a club-ready dance track with a sinister vibe. The track is similar to tracks by pop icons like Pussycat Dolls and Britney Spears from the early to mid-2000s. The lyrics find aespa being vengeful, promising a hard-hitting payback for the wounds they incurred by being betrayed by a trusted person. With a tinge of R&B, aespa is also able to showcase their dynamic and soulful vocals.
“YEPPI YEPPI” is the most experimental song on the album. Starting with a deep house melody, the track flows through various genres including trance, synth wave, and trap, making it a very colorful song in terms of its musical production. The flow and beat change multiple times, even within the verses. The fast-paced song contains a positive message about finding happiness by being confident in yourself inside and outside and not relying on someone else’s evaluation. The lyrics were co-written by singer-songwriter SAAY, who co-wrote “Bambi” by Baekhyun, and contain clever wordplay, making the song even more enjoyable.
“ICONIC” is a boastful song that is infused with aespa’s bold attitude. Growing into the title of “Monster Rookies,” aespa can rightfully boast about their achievements now, and their vocals bounce back and forth on the energetic drums. The album closes with the dream-pop song “자각몽 (Lucid Dream),” which was co-composed by American singer-songwriter Hayley Kiyoko. The song’s production relies on a simple R&B melody, expressing the anxiety of being trapped in an ominous lucid dream. The post-chorus repeats the chorus with a distorted vocal effect, amplifying the eerie sensation.
In K-Pop’s new generation, aespa remains one of the most exciting rookies. Not only for their unique concept and music, but also in terms of the vocal abilities of the members. Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning got several opportunities to showcase their vocals on the album with high notes, ad-libs, and vocal runs. Despite initial criticism for their odd lyrics, overtly infused with lore terminology, Savage is a very well-written album. While the album tells their story of exploring KWANGYA and facing Black Mamba, the lyrics are also grounded and relatable outside of the SMCU lore. Singing about finding the confidence to face challenges, believing in and relying on friends, and the anxiety of the unknown, aespa cleverly captures the complex emotions of the youth across the globe. The B-sides and the title track make the album pure pop bliss. For fans who enjoyed pop music from the 2000s and 2010s, you will adore what aespa has to offer with Savage. With the new album, aespa can ride the success of “Next Level” and solidify their place on the domestic and international stage.