aespa Official Thread | #GIRLS

[SWAGGER]

So much content ... was watching and didn't want to stop to post on here. LOL.

I kinda already knew what to expect from the Hobb & Shaw version so wasn't too surprised but I like the changes they made. Love that they gave a spotlight for Giselle and Karina to rap and also Ning Ning to shine on her vocals. Love the dance choreo too.. lots of attitude!!

The VLIVE their awkwardness was so cute! They will get more comfortable in time. but they did great!! And when Winter got the letter that was written in English her face reaction But Giselle encouraged her to try and she did great!!

 

[SWAGGER]

 

[kimsguardian]

​

 

[camille]

I love Next Level ! It's not my type of song (as I don't like rap...) but for some reason I like it. I think it showcases the girls' talents really well, especially Winter who really shows she's an all rounder. I'm also satisfied with the line distribution and screentime. I can't wait to see it on music shows.
I like their challenge, I think it's the easiest one I've seen haha

 

[dnb]

Visually, I think the Next Level MV is great.

The song is a mixed bag for me. They have 3 nice but disparate melodies/bridges in the middle (the one at 1:45 sounds like it's taken from Forever; I'd like to hear the one at 2:08 as a separate full song). But the song itself does not peak towards the end. The energy level stays constant, like the whole song is an extended teaser for something that's coming later.

 

[Bellamy]

I had a feeling that SM will just use the whole original song and just put some rap, bridge and high note...so I'm not surprised at all. Since I listened the original three times+it's a monotonous beat without much variation...I liked it instantly.
Now, the beat drop, was overwhelming at first...but It doesn't bother me anymore. As @dnb said, that sound was perfect for a whole new song (i have a little hope that the album will have a song with that instrumental).

The screen time and line distribution was way better than BM, and the girls look beyond gorgeous.

People say that it's another IGB or Zimzalabim, i like both but my feeling is closer to IGB since i liked it instantly (Zimzalabim took a few listenings).

The only thing I dislike is: the choreography. I will wait to see the performance version, but for me is too simple? I know they made it easy for fans to follow, but since it's a hip hop song I was waiting for more.

 

[dnb]

The only thing I dislike is: the choreography. I will wait to see the performance version, but for me is too simple?

Oh, yes, now that you point it out, the choreography is pretty simple. The only thing I remembered was that formation at 2:35.

I was too busy looking for clues in the background images (so much was going on) to notice the choreo.

 

[*ae*butterlfy]

This type of disconnected/mixed up song is EXACTLY what I was looking for!!! Sure they could have released something safe and more for general public consumption but honestly there are so many girl groups that are doing that. I think Aespa needed something that sets them apart from being called blackpink knock offs or "just another girl crush group." SM's strength is thinking outside the box and delivering something new, fresh, and not the norm music wise. The song itself has some impressive vocals from Ning and Winter and the rap part was killer! I cannot wait to see this performed live!

 

[Bellamy]

And apparently koreans are liking the song

 

[SWAGGER]

 

[Bellamy]

They are slaying left and right!

 

[AshithBangera]

​

 

[Noctis.]

WOW i really thought gp wouldn't like the song but they keep raising every hour. Too sad that they wont be promoting on music show this week

 

[SWAGGER]

 

[AshithBangera]

​

 

[SWAGGER]

 

[camille]

A lot of international kpop fans dislike the song, but it looks like it's doing as well, if not better, as Black Mamba and that Koreans love it. I'm so relieved because I had a moment of doubt where I got scared that Black Mamba did well only because of the curiosity factor and that only MYs would check out Next Level but looks like my doubts were unfounded !
Our 6 months old girl group already making history <3 I'm proud

 

[SWAGGER]

I love Next Level ! It's not my type of song (as I don't like rap...) but for some reason I like it. I think it showcases the girls' talents really well, especially Winter who really shows she's an all rounder. I'm also satisfied with the line distribution and screentime. I can't wait to see it on music shows.
I like their challenge, I think it's the easiest one I've seen haha

Visually, I think the Next Level MV is great.

The song is a mixed bag for me. They have 3 nice but disparate melodies/bridges in the middle (the one at 1:45 sounds like it's taken from Forever; I'd like to hear the one at 2:08 as a separate full song). But the song itself does not peak towards the end. The energy level stays constant, like the whole song is an extended teaser for something that's coming later.

I had a feeling that SM will just use the whole original song and just put some rap, bridge and high note...so I'm not surprised at all. Since I listened the original three times+it's a monotonous beat without much variation...I liked it instantly.
Now, the beat drop, was overwhelming at first...but It doesn't bother me anymore. As @dnb said, that sound was perfect for a whole new song (i have a little hope that the album will have a song with that instrumental).

The screen time and line distribution was way better than BM, and the girls look beyond gorgeous.

People say that it's another IGB or Zimzalabim, i like both but my feeling is closer to IGB since i liked it instantly (Zimzalabim took a few listenings).

The only thing I dislike is: the choreography. I will wait to see the performance version, but for me is too simple? I know they made it easy for fans to follow, but since it's a hip hop song I was waiting for more.

Oh, yes, now that you point it out, the choreography is pretty simple. The only thing I remembered was that formation at 2:35.

I was too busy looking for clues in the background images (so much was going on) to notice the choreo.

This type of disconnected/mixed up song is EXACTLY what I was looking for!!! Sure they could have released something safe and more for general public consumption but honestly there are so many girl groups that are doing that. I think Aespa needed something that sets them apart from being called blackpink knock offs or "just another girl crush group." SM's strength is thinking outside the box and delivering something new, fresh, and not the norm music wise. The song itself has some impressive vocals from Ning and Winter and the rap part was killer! I cannot wait to see this performed live!

WOW i really thought gp wouldn't like the song but they keep raising every hour. Too sad that they wont be promoting on music show this week

A lot of international kpop fans dislike the song, but it looks like it's doing as well, if not better, as Black Mamba and that Koreans love it. I'm so relieved because I had a moment of doubt where I got scared that Black Mamba did well only because of the curiosity factor and that only MYs would check out Next Level but looks like my doubts were unfounded !
Our 6 months old girl group already making history <3 I'm proud

I haven't really had the chance to review NEXT LEVEL properly. Been so busy!!

I think what I have to say probably would relate to all your comments so I will just address everyone

Personally I love the song. I loved the song they sampled/purchased from so I already anticipated what it would sound like. SM has done a number of these so I kind had a feeling what to expect. And like some have guessed... I knew they would probably add a rap and a solo singing in there. cuz that's pretty much what was lacking from the other version. it was basically repetitive, the hook chorus line all the way through.

I think for some people songs like these take a bit more time for their minds to process. Because... generally a lot of kpop songs are either cutesy or sexy. Our ears have gotten used to it. So when someone does experimental song.. it a bit of a shock. People will say they don't like it or terrible. But most type of songs like this have that reaction. ie. Itzy's Dalla Dalla or Mafia in the Morning, RV's zimzalabim, and others.

and of course.. you have some haters and trolls in the mix who just want to say something negative about it. And you will see more as aespa continues to grow and get more attention.

So with that being said, I think the song is receiving more postitive than negative. The negative is mostly from people who don't support them anyway. And others are.. like I said.. maybe just have different taste or.. have not been able to process the song yet. I mean.. it's pretty addictive if you just have open mind and give it a chance. Kpop fans always say they want something different than the "usual" boring stuff. But then whenever someone releases something different like "next level" they say negative things bout it? but most of them come around.

I also think what SM is doing is quickly showing off what aespa is capable of. ie. Dance (BM), vocals (Forever).. and something edgy (Next Level). Kind of having fun right now with it. But once they release their album it will show more of what kind of group they gonna be... leading to their own identity.

 

[SWAGGER]

 

[camille]

I also think what SM is doing is quickly showing off what aespa is capable of. ie. Dance (BM), vocals (Forever).. and something edgy (Next Level). Kind of having fun right now with it. But once they release their album it will show more of what kind of group they gonna be... leading to their own identity.

That's exactly what I think ! And it's pretty smart, it's kinda like the same pattern as Loona releasing a song to showcase each members' talent before all of them being mixed (or not being shown at all) in group songs. We've seen dance, vocals and rap from all of the members and if we understood well, next comeback may be a full album so we'll probably get more traditional (while still experimental ?) songs where vocals, dance and rap are almost equally blended. But no one will ever be able to say that aespa are untalented or don't excel at everything because SM showed since the very beginning why every girl was picked and that they're ALL all rounders with no filler members.