aespa Shakes the Korean Charts with “Armageddon”
On May 27, aespa made a splash with the release of their first full-length album titled Armageddon, marking a major milestone four years after their debut with the double-title single song of the same name. This long-awaited album by fans does not disappoint, offering a collection of ten previously unreleased songs that explore an impressive range of musical genres. The music videos paired with the songs on the album provide sensational visuals that perfectly complement the listening experience. Whether through futuristic sets, breathtaking special effects or captivating choreography, the video clips enrich the group's artistic universe, and offer fans total immersion in their universe.
The credits for the title “Armageddon” reveal the collaboration with AI artists and 3D graphic designers, notably Calllmechi from studio 3EZ. On his Instagram account, Calllmechi shares his digital creations for aespa, offering a fascinating insight into the work that has enriched the group's visual aesthetic.
This track features a hip-hop style that conveys the message of rebirth as a complete “me” through meeting another “me” in multiple worlds. With its four members - Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ningning - the group offers an innovative and unique concept centered around a metaverse where members are accompanied by their virtual avatars, called “aes” (pronounced “eyes”). Equipped with their own artificial intelligence, these avatars evolve in an intermediate digital world coexisting with real members. The “Armageddon” video immerses the listener in a digital multiverse, with its captivating chorus “Aw wayo wayo”. The track creates an immersive atmosphere, transporting listeners into a captivating sensory experience. As for the chorus “Ah Oh Ay” present in their other double-title song “Supernova,” it is inverted, offering the illusion of a mirror effect between the two titles. This subtle technique reinforces the coherence and depth of the metaversal concept explored by the group.
On May 25, “Supernova” achieved a remarkable feat by landing a “Perfect All-Kill,” simultaneously taking the top spot in real time and the top spot weekly on all major Korean charts, such as MelOn, Genie, Bugs, Flo, VIBE and even YouTube. Additionally, the album has generated over 31 million streams on Spotify.
“Supernova” is a catchy hyper-pop song, boasting lyrics that reflect aespa’s expansive view of the world. In the clip, the members appear to be represented as artificial intelligences, with their birthday being May 27, the day their album was released. Their avatars evolve in a universe that seems both familiar and foreign, perhaps reflecting our reality. May 27 would perhaps symbolically mark their arrival into our world, creating an intriguing connection between their metaversal concept and our world.
AESPA – Armageddon – TRACKLIST
01. “Supernova”
02. “Armageddon”
03. “Set The Tone”
04. “Mine”
05. “Licorice”
06. “BAHAMA”
07. “Long Chat (#♥︎)”
08. “Prologue”
09. “Live My Life”
10. “Melody (목소리)”
This debut full-length album captured the number one spot in 25 regions around the world, including the United States, Canada, Norway, Vietnam, Australia, Thailand and Poland. Additionally, it reached the top of the iTunes World Albums Chart, demonstrating the global reach of aespa's popularity.
Edited by Lacey Diluvio