aespa’s ‘Armageddon – The 1st Album’: All 10 Songs Ranked

Whereas Armageddon begins tremendous sturdy with Ok-pop singles “Supernova” and the title observe, Lower No. 3 “Set the Tone” appears like a jerky left flip. The thumping hip-hop observe brings exhilarating punches of synthesizers to the manufacturing however finally doesn’t really feel as profitable or convincing of a efficiency from the aespa members.

With such a novel music title and satisfyingly crunchy synth work, a music concerning the exhilaration of the group chat will get a bit overrun with a number of too many messages, and aespa will deliver way more partaking matters to different songs in Armageddon.

A candy fan anthem devoted to aespa’s MYs, “Melody” brings a pleasant piano for the members to sing on to their supporters: “You make me really feel so fortunate,” they sing. “‘Trigger you’re MY entire world.” It’s an acceptable method to shut out aespa’s first full-length album and appears like a little bit of a throwback to a development from basic Ok-pop albums of the previous that have a tendency to finish with a fan-dedicated observe and slowing down the tempo.

An surprising tropical vibe takes maintain on the midway mark with “BAHAMA” as Observe No. 6 to indicate aespa is, as soon as once more, by no means going to ship one taste however as an alternative showcase their vary, much more so on a full-length. The island theme doesn’t precisely scream aespa, nevertheless it’s a welcome new tour for the ladies.

Opening with an addictive churning rock-pop hook, “Licorice” speaks to an infatuation not like something you’ve skilled earlier than. They croon, “It tastes so candy however bitter / Oh, sugar and spice… / You’re like licorice.”

Regardless of aespa’s metaverse idea and larger-than-life personas, we love listening to them lean into their human facet in “Prologue.” Over a deceivingly upbeat pop manufacturing, the ladies handle the difficulties and messiness of rising up, admitting to nervousness, disappointments, and lack of ardour. However listening to the aespa girls declare, “Child, I’m a weirdo, I do know,” within the refrain is tremendous refreshing and makes the listener really feel like possibly we’re all extra alike than we understand.

A surefire future live performance favourite, “Stay My Life” brings a beforehand explored rock edge to aespa’s musical world. Embracing those that dare to be totally different and dream, the empowerment anthem appears like what aespa’s first authentic English single, “Life’s Too Quick,” ought to have been — daring, exhilarating and makes clear why they’re so totally different like “Stay My Life” does versus “Life’s Too Quick” which felt like aespa making an attempt to mix into High 40 radio fodder with a secure, acoustic pop sound.

Because the centerpiece title observe single in aespa’s first full-length album, “Armageddon” is a real assertion piece. The tougher hip-hop glimmer appears like the suitable subsequent evolution from previous singles and permits the quartet to ship heavier confidence and emphasize their energy as a gaggle. Surprising factors of the music, just like the “Bang chitty bang bang” pre-chorus or the stretched-out hums on the refrain, slowly get caught within the listeners’ heads and finally develop into a number of the most memorable components of the observe. One other unanticipated however wholly welcomed second comes into the chant-heavy outro the place it seems like aespa is signaling the following part of their pop invasion, telling listeners, “Warning: All evening lengthy.”

Our translation? aespa isn’t stopping anytime quickly.

With the identical icy coolness as a few of aespa’s most experimental cuts, “Mine” ought to go down as probably the greatest b-sides of Ok-pop in 2024, largely because of a captivating assemblage of vocal distortions and results utilized. The members’ voices go from darkish and deep to glitchy and candy as they sing about going through their interior demons, with the lyrical and manufacturing decisions including a deeper layer to the music’s general that means.

aespa actually couldn’t have requested for a greater kickoff for this album. A glittering cosmic dance observe, “Supernova” introduces this chapter of aespa’s storytelling into their new universe and opens doorways to a complete new dimension. Showcasing KARINA and GISELLE’s biting rap kinds with WINTER and NINGNING’s vocals at their very best — and the members all capable of mix roles — “Supernova” appears like the kind of observe solely aespa might pull off, making it all of the extra excellent of a return to type. Plus, the extra whirring synthesizers that be part of halfway by means of the second verse are a ultimate cherry on prime to indicate how “Supernova” isn’t utilizing copy-paste formulation — a staple all through aespa’s strongest music moments with this new observe as a shining jewel of their Ok-pop crowns.