Aespa continue their remarkable 2024 reign with the confident and bold Whiplash – The 5th Mini Album. Members KARINA, GISELLE, WINTER, and NINGNING made their highly anticipated return on October 21. This year has been nothing short of epic for the K-pop quartet, with the monumental success of their first full-length album, Armageddon, and their second world tour โLIVE TOUR – SYNK : PARALLEL LINE.โ The six-track Whiplash EP is a sonic representation of aespaโs star power. Equipped with bold lyricism, experimental explorations, and impressive vocal performances, Whiplash – The 5th Mini Album reaffirms aespaโs distinct identity.
Give โEm Whiplash
The EP makes a grand opening with its namesake and title track, โWhiplash.โ โWhiplashโ is a momentum-building house record paired with pulsating bass. The song is co-produced by British DJ, Shift K3Y, who is behind other house hits like โLove Line (with Tinashe)โ and โBetter Off Without You.โ Aespaโs vocal delivery is more relaxed in the first verse, making the high notes in the pre-chorus and bridge all the more explosive. The lyrics are overflowing with aespaโs charisma. The members embrace their influence with lines like โWherever I am canโt stop me / Iโm the coldest / Iโm the only Game-Changer bringinโ the new era.โ Reflecting on aespaโs impressive 2024 run, these lyrics are hard to refute.
โWhiplashโ also serves up fashion runway realness. Not only are the house elements reminiscent of catwalk soundtracks, the music video embodies the songโs sophisticated aura. The music video is director MELTMIRRORโs first K-pop work, and their creative vision compliments aespaโs aesthetic. The visuals are a complete reversal from the vibrant imagery in โSupernova.โ โWhiplashโ features a simple mise-en-scรจne, with only two sets and a limited color palette. However, this simplicity is in harmony with aespaโs commanding presence. โWhiplashโ leaves no room for boredom, with flashy cut-ins on the beat and dynamic tracking shots. The unique blocking and cinematography allow aespa to work every angle, whether it is through posing or choreography. The music video is minimalist, yet bold in its execution.
At The Center Of The World
The fierceness emanating from โWhiplashโ is doubled on the EPโs following track, โKill It.โ โKill Itโ is a hip-hop and dance fusion track packed with intensity. The metallic synths and hi-hats create a strong soundscape. The track lives up to its name as it is complete with the sound of a slicing blade. WINTER delivers a standout vocal performance on this song, showcasing two different rap flows in addition to strong vocal belts. A press release revealed that the song โconveys a warning to anyone sending hate to the group.โ Lines like โKeep off my side, keep out my sight / Iโll dance on top of the standards aimed at meโ emphasize this sentiment.
Aespa dial the intensity down on the third track, โFlights, Not Feelings.โ The pace slows with this R&B mid-tempo track coupled with aespaโs airy vocals. GISELLE flaunts her rap abilities in the second verse as her rhymes play around with the melody. โFlights, Not Feelingsโ is reminiscent of relaxing lo-fi beats with its soft kicks and harp trills. As the songโs title suggests, aespa encourage listeners to redirect their energy towards more fulfilling avenues. They share in the bridge, โI unfold a map without a path / And simply let my heart flow to wherever it goes / Flying now.โ
Just like a comfortable hoodie, aespa fit right into their classic sound with โPink Hoodie.โ The hyperpop adjacent bassline and fluctuating synths create a campy dance hit. โPink Hoodieโ represents confidence and comfort in oneself. The songโs confident energy oozes from the jump thanks to NINGNINGโs effortlessly cool intro. The infectious chorus invites listeners to chant along as aespa repeats, โPink hoodie, ayy, oh.โ The bridge switches the vibe, in true SM Music Performance (SMP) fashion, with a more EDM-focused sound and emphasis on vocals.
New Dimensions And Endeavors
โFlowersโ is an alternative R&B track showcasing a new side of aespa. A captivating guitar riff carries their intimate, almost hushed vocals. KARINAโs slightly raspy, low register vocals shine in this sultry track. โFlowersโ is a more mature sound for the quartet, budding with vivid lyrical imagery. GISELLE raps, โYouโre my dahlia, tulips and daisies / A slowly spreading fragrance / Violet sunset, it seems like it doesnโt exist in this world.โ
The EP comes to a close with โJust Another Girl,โ ending on an uplifting note. โJust Another Girlโ is an upbeat pop-rock song that sits among the likes of โLive My Lifeโ and โLifeโs Too Shortโ in their discography. A recurring theme with these tracks are their motivating lyrics, and โJust Another Girlโ is no exception. The lyrics are described in a press release as โthe story of loveโs betrayal and knowing your own worth โ even if it means enduring heartache in the short-term.โ The first verse is the typical, heartbroken reaction to a lost love. However, aespa eventually recognize that they were out of their deceitful past loverโs league all along.
Whiplash – The 5th Mini Album proves that aespa is an irreplaceable force. The EP was met with meteoric reception โ and is still actively dominating numerous global charts. โWhiplashโ debuted at No. 7 on Melonโs Top 100 chart and recorded over 500,000 cumulative album sales on its first day. Ahead of award show season, aespa are also gearing up for the North American and European leg of โLIVE TOUR – SYNK : PARALLEL LINE.โ With back-to-back successes, these KWANGYA starlets have the whole world awaiting what else they are capable of.
Tune into aespaโs upcoming activities on their X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube!
Interested in other K-pop artists making global waves? Check out EnViโs coverage of Rosรฉโs solo comeback, โAPT.,โ here!
