Armageddon: High Concept and Supernova Set aespa's Bar Too High? (a Review)

[@seulgikea]

this is so silly.. they'd done a video game concept before for the 'Girls' era.. and if you wanna count 'Hold On Tight' too.. my bad 😭🙏

[@glowinghost]

They could have done 2 mini albums centred around Supernova and Armageddon Supernova mini-album could sound funky and quirky and all that with the bass and explore their super power sides and there could be an outro which transitions between that funky bass to the apocalyptic world of Armageddon. Armageddon could be more 'end-of-the-world'ly and use more mood synths and all that. It could have a more sensual listening experience. If SM still wants to get that bag, they could repackage the two mini albums into one but make sure to include outros to smoothly introduce tracks from Armageddon.

[@seulgikea]

wait… brilliant idea

[@dongysakura418]

How about they actually fit the album into the already existing lore?!

[@syryozh6957]

you dropped this 🫱🫱👑

[@NINGBOTOMY]

I think the album could’ve done a thing where the first half sounded quirky cool like Supernova then there’s an interlude (like nct albums) where you can hear the switch to something more akin to Armageddon with it being the first song after the interlude or the very last song in the album. One thing that bothers me with a lot of albums coming out now is that they don’t seem to follow a theme. Especially with kpop albums, if your concept has lore I expect to hear it in the album with the sound.

[@jeilohere]

just no tbh.. imagine promised with a full album then turns out it's a mini. we had enough for the mini album shenanigans. and they're already do that with spicy and drama (accidentally) because those two albums are the original ae1

[@hagpill]

missing the experimentalism of aespa's older work like savage and next level. supernova gave us a taste and is obviously doing super well but i wish the rest of the album suited the supernova Superbeing concept

[@Laura-dn1zx]

They gave us a taste but I'm so thiiiirrsty, yeah I got you boy, sip sip sipping all night, deo deep deep deep in all night

[@wheresgab.]

supernova was genuinely so good and i do agree w you with having other tracks that give the vibe 🫶 but i feel like ultimately id chose armageddon just because it has more similar sounding songs in the album (ie: set the tone/mine, imo)

[@anagy20]

For a group with such a strong visual identity, it makes no sense that the music feels all over the place at times. Most people agree that aespa sounds best when they go to their most experimental sound, yet SM still pushes the generic and safe sound on them (specially for the English releases, as they all have felt bland to me compared to the rest of their discography). I dream for them to have the chance again to be cohesive with sound + visual (to me savage and my world were the closest ones on this matter). Music wise I would like to see them try an ARTPOP by Lady Gaga type of production or even a Charli XCX Brat sound if they want to go with a current production. Hope they don't waste the potential of a group that is full of talent and charisma, but sadly, that is the fate of most girl groups in all the music industry.

[@dean.mcmxcvi]

@@anagy20 this exactly! If they can’t match the visuals and music then PLEASE SM redistribute some of the visual budget into the producer/music/discography budget. You’re just wasting your money on visuals if the music isn’t up to snuff. And from what has kinda come out a little from behind the scenes I think the girls themselves don’t LOVE the experimental sound stuff as much (unless it was only because of the kwangya lore being interjected and they enjoy the experimental sound, but that clarification has never been made by them or anyone else behind the scenes really), however, the girls also knew what they were signing up for. I don’t want to say their feelings don’t matter because you know ideally of course they do. But I just get this sense that the music the girls WANT to make vs what a lot of aespa stans want to hear them make are quite different sounds. As recently as supernova Karina said on some variety show I believe that she and the girls didn’t expect supernova to be a smash hit like it has been. This to me really signals the disconnect between sonically what the fans want and what they prefer/like/enjoy singing. Like you heard the instrumental of supernova… laid down your vocals…. Listened to the final product AND DIDNT KNOW OR THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE A HIT. THATS crazy to me. Anyways that’s kinda just my two I guess ten cents on the matter.

[@youreaqt3730]

What the eff are you talking about? Armagedon is literally their most experimental song ever. And the video is amazing and goes so well with it. This whole new album blows their previous work away by a long shot

[@dean.mcmxcvi]

@@youreaqt3730 to each their own. For me saying that this album blows savage mini EP out of the water is…. Offensive. But I’m not legitimately offended by your comment and like I said. We’re all going to have our own tastes and opinions :) I love the girls though so I’m very glad there are people such as yourself who do so much enjoy this album because they deserve it (as in the girls themselves because they work so hard lol not sm or anyone else lol)

[@nnnn-sc2im]

@@youreaqt3730the most experimental?

[@RobinPochita]

I definitely loved both Armageddon and Supernova. And Licorice is my fave B-side.

[@CinnamonGirl0716]

licorice is SUCH an EARGRASM. It's been WEEKS since I first heard it, and I'm still VIBING to it bro.

[@argxoxo7326]

prologue

[@wintrshade]

licorice and mine >>

[@Ri57490]

Licorice is too repetitive. 'Mine' is the best B-side

[@CinnamonGirl0716]

@@Ri57490 I respect your opinion. but licorice still my fave

[@Reve-to-the-V]

I would love a video game concept for aespa. I think that's what they tried to do for the visuals and soundcape of Girls but it read more as an nct interpretation of it (a sister of 127's punch). Sm is already making aespa act and do stunt work for track videos and sm cinematic universe vids so they might as well go all in with this type of concept. It also has merchandise potential. I don't know if they've done this already but imagine sm making action figures for aespa and their counterparts which showcase their powers. Also an online video game based on their lore would be cool. I feel like this would be popular among gamer and anime kpop fans.

[@seulgikea]

TRUE….

[@angeldelmoroable]

Ultimately, even though Supernova and Armageddon sound different, i can see them being part of the same album, but the rest of the songs??? Absolute NO. And they don't even stand out on their own, which if they did at least there would be something to say, but again, they DON'T.

[@seulgikea]

💯

[@Jai-gy7qc]

i feel like that’s lowkey a common thing with some kpop albums sadly😭 having a strong tt and promoted beside and then the album being filled with filler songs

[@바보Queen]

who cares

[@LaurenPebble]

Why am I apparently the only person that thinks this album is good?

[@phil20_20]

For me, nothing will top finding out Winter had to have lung surgery, and then seeing her spinning around that com tower like a superhero, with a big smile. ☺

[@seulgikea]

❤❤❤

[@denizakarca0405]

Lung surgery?? This is the first time I'm hearing this wow...

[@wintrshade]

@@denizakarca0405yeah she had a collapsed lung

[@vvmn9442]

@@wintrshadehow?!?!

[@wintrshade]

@@vvmn9442 idk it has the word pneumo it it perhaps pneumothorax idk

[@l0velyfl0wer]

Red Velvet full albums never miss, for me they're always consistent and cohesive and you can picture the type of aesthetic they were going for each album. Chill Kill and Perfect Velvet have to be 2 of my favourite kpop albums ever.

[@soomi]

I am afraid your video title reflects my constant experience with aespa. Every time they have such cool photoshoot pre-release concept teasers, which have me imagine all kinds of musical directions for the group. And then the actual music drops and I'm like... Either it's just not what I had in mind or it's a weaker version of what I had in mind 😭 Don't come for me, please. I love them. I own albums of them.

[@seulgikea]

this has been pretty big problem for this modern era of sm entertainment i fear 😭

[@soomi]

@@seulgikea The moment sment divorced proper rnb, it was over to me. Yeah they had this new cool thing in 2016-2019 with this NCT esque sound, but like... Maybe move on? They're perpetually stuck in this now for no reason. The current producers can't even make Red Velvet hit anymore for me. I rather want the old sm sound back.

[@seulgikea]

so trueeeee i'm always missing THAT sm flavor nowadays

[@katgreer6113]

​@@seulgikea Cause lsm is missing

[@phil20_20]

An interesting thing about them is when you look for their singles on Billboard, they never made it to the top ten, but their album hit number one.🤪

[@aloeveralover4832]

I feel like aespa and other sm’s artists are not the same after lee soo man and yoo young jin left the company.

[@seulgikea]

i feel it too

[@charleorio142]

right, Kwangya was never mentioned again. Right now, RIIZE is their most basic group like they have a very common concept. Red Velvet's FMR is peak RV, so it's really sad to see the budget go down for them. 😢😢

[@IsaacWat-ky2uj]

I think the albums are becoming less cohesive not just because they weren't able to come up with enough quality songs that match genre of the entire album but also because they want to attract listeners of various genres instead of just one, especially when the sound and genre of the album is experimental, futuristic, quirky and innovative. I think that the Savage album although perfect imo is another good example of a great solid cohesive album yet it did not perform as well because at that time no one was ready for the experimental futuristic, hyperpop, quirky sound (besides people with taste :P). And also because the sound is too unique to the point that it wasn't as radio play friendly either. I believe this caused SM decided to change their entire plan for how albums are going to be released, ending up with albums that cover different genres. I also, think that the change of management team, and lsm getting kicked out did affect the quality of some songs, overall consistency of the album and decision making,

[@natashajuah8345]

i actually enjoy this first album from aespa, like every song is like a story of its own in one album and licorice, bahama and prologue are my current faves from the b-side ehe

[@mbo4950]

After savage people wanted a song that remind them of it but if they do it people again be like oh no it sound so similar in conclusion people are never satisfied

[@mumupepekk]

people is always like that with aespa is really annoying lmao

[@seulgikea]

spicy and supernova are such great follow ups diversion!

[@NonoYes127]

Your editing is so pleasing to the eyes.. 😭😭 and the thumbnail aesthetic and design is exactly the style i live for omgg

[@Reve-to-the-V]

Also, supernova's electronic soundscape reminded me that of Snsd's Galaxy Supernova, especially the bridge.

[@seulgikea]

ikr!!!

[@connection7165]

I have to admit that Armageddon as a song is not what I was expecting, but still I liked it very much. Supernova is my fav k-pop song of the year and it will probably be my most listened song in every platform lol. Maybe the huge difference between first and second half has something to do with the fact that Armageddon is good vs evil so first side is evil and the other is good? Idk. I really liked the album, I think there's a song for everyone in here, my favorites are Supernova, Live My Life (that song was made for me I just know), BAHAMA, Armageddon and Licorice. However, I think it could've been better. We can only hope this new era of SM will teach them a couple of lessons about what made their groups popular to begin with, I'm kinda scared about NCT 127s comeback.

[@axcc0267]

well live my life is a ad song for kookmin bank... aespas japan debut aslo has zoom zoom on it , which is a beyblade ost 😭

[@seulgikea]

OH.. i didn’t know about this 😭 my bad

[@dean.mcmxcvi]

Pre all the higher up changes at SM nobody can convince me that the plan with aespa was not to copy paste YG’s strategy with BP. They released some singles, one mini album, and then a mini album with many singles that had already been released as singles repackaged into the mini album. Then they went dark for 9 months. WHILE THE DEMAND FOR THEM WAS pretty much as high as it had EVER been for them at that point. This has YG BP promo marketing dirty hands all over it. Then the whole shares and higher ups thing happened.. and honestly Coming back with My World (4? 5 songs?) still signals to me that this was still in line with that BP strategy. But now with the management overhaul it seems they’re maybe willing to put out more content… but honestly.. if the content is severely undercooked (such as the Armageddon album after licorice) is this additional content even worth it? They may as well go back to the YG dungeon strategy rather than just tossing us slop and praying enough fans won’t have enough self respect to admit it’s slop

[@faeriegraver]

I actually don't think it was deliberate. I think the company was just a total mess.

[@dean.mcmxcvi]

@@faeriegraver I can see that perspective also lol

[@carmen_chuuu5224]

I’ve had this weird love hate relationship with aespa since they debuted cause like their concept is insanely cool and visually their creative direction is near perfect but then the actual music will drop and every time it’s just not giving what I had hoped or expected and it’s just so sad 😞

[@carmen_chuuu5224]

I feel like visually they keep teasing poppy and grimes realness and then not fully committing musically (also SM please I’m begging stop making them rap just let them be a group of singers with no awkward and badly written raps pleaseeeee)

[@carmen_chuuu5224]

Also completely unrelated but SM I’m begging give my girlies RV some of this budget too pleaseeee

[@RichRichification]

​@@carmen_chuuu5224yall are annoying..aespa budget is their own from center 1 , red velvets center needs to use their own budget

[@honeybluecat]

​@@carmen_chuuu5224the new management has a reward system in place. Have a successful comeback = more budget for your next. aespa's budget is big bc they released two hits last year. RV are on their third underperforming cb in a row.

[@ТіТТіЕЅ]

Their last consistent release was spicy. Since then it's been constant half baked pop rock and ballads with crazy title tracks sprinkled over it. Amageddon had higher highs than drama but also way lower lows.... ughhh Edit: I meant my world and not spicy LOL but i think most people who aren't overly pedantic remember that EP as spicy just bc it was so good LOL

[@angelic4mimi]

not even spicy. after savage, aespa’s music has been 50-50. Girls was mid. My World was okay but I felt like some songs could go on Drama. Drama is okay, and some things could go on My World. Armeggedon is okay, i only like 5 songs out of the album. I was so confused how Armeggedon, Mine, Set The Tone coexists with Supernova, Bahama, and Long Chat (#♥️) (just like what the creator said!!)

[@torositergaming3523]

Honestly, thats a well put together vid. Good job

[@바보Queen]

redvelvet isn't SM money maker as much as Aespa.. of course they gonna promote Aespa, RV gonna be forever in Aespa shadow.. RV was never even a threat to twice and BP

[@seulgikea]

key of shinee has always been given ridiculous concepts that LOOK EXPENSIVE despite not making that much of a noise

[@BEcauseILoveYooh]

WHAT!? Live my life is a banger same with Set the tone

[@springss1861]

I think they used the video game concept for the Girls comeback. Also they also had a similar website thing with the Drama comeback

[@seulgikea]

yes yes you're right !

[@ThemedNumber02]

Savage EP was INSANEEEE!!!!!! Nothing but hits, even aenergy is serviceable.

[@tofujordi]

i agree with all of your points! and thank god you like licorice and long chat bc those are my fav b sides. prologue and live my life are the songs that have my head turning... but only 2 songs out of a 10 song album that are misses is still a successful album for me.

[@perfectsekai]

i totally agree with you.

[@diveamelia]

Im sorry not sorry but the album sucked. It was a single coupled with a b-side, no one can change my mind. SM clearly just threw together a bunch of songs for a money maker (surprise surprise!). This cheapens the group and it’s sad to see. The album had NO cohesiveness. Again, Armageddon + Supernova are clearly a single album. It’s very clear to me this come back was done for the visuals, not for the music. I mean, a full album after 4 years!? Even though I did like Supernova some what, I am so thrown off by Armageddon. Personally, the changes in the song just didn’t work for me, also, the Armageddon MV felt very empty. I watched it twice, and was more disappointed the second time. But hey, it’s not made for everyone 🙃

[@Reve-to-the-V]

I'm similarly frustrated with the incohesiveness of aespa's album. I think that their best album to date is also their most cohesive one: savage. A trend with aespa's albums is that the first few b-sides support the theme of the title track (e.g. Set the tone and Mine for armaggedon) and then the rest of the album explores 2 entirely different themes, with one of them often being a slice of life. Bahama easily could've been a lone b-side for a summer album, where Better Things is the title track. Live my life has an ending credits to a movie vibe that could've been on the My World album to reflect aespa's experience of coming back to the real world after their victory against the black mamba. Liquorice also would mesh well with tracks like Salty and Sweet and Thirsty on My World.

[@diveamelia]

@@Reve-to-the-V I completely agree, it totally felt like SM just took a handful of aespa-like songs and mashed them together. It’s unfortunate

[@seulgikea]

@@Reve-to-the-Vthis is so true..

[@seulgikea]

regarding the emptiness you’re getting after watching the mv i feel like people have spoken about this feeling too towards the marvel movies after avengers endgame i think it’s the same phenomena but idk 😭 because i sort of did get that feeling too after watching the mv

[@diveamelia]

@@seulgikea Hahahah you’re righttt

[@TheDENTAGE]

Live my life is as good as supernova and having that diversity on one album is great

[@seulgikea]

i respect that!

[@Carkeez]

Bloodpop is a producer who would mesh well with aespa, IMO. His work with Lady Gaga on the Top Gun Maverick soundtrack was the inspiration for the bridge in Red Velvet's (Moonshine produced) "Chill Kill". He's currently working with the US-based J-Pop group f5ve and so far, all 3 songs they have released so far have been a diverse mix of certified aespa-coded bangers. As for their album and EP's, aespa being an SM group, will unfortunately have their albums judged side by side with the b-side queens, Red Velvet. For some reason, Red Velvet can have a song like "Rookie" on the same record as "Body Talk" and it works cohesively -- yet, aespa has "Hot Air Balloon" on the same record as "Drama" and it sticks out like a sore thumb.

[@seulgikea]

@@Carkeez omg i love f5ve!!!!!

[@UrfavMoment]

The Thing is the only claim is that you dont know how there going to do Thats A part of the fun not knowing makes it better aespa has multiple concepts like summer concept (better things bahama live my life dreams come true ) cute weird concept (licorce longchat hot air ballon) virtual concept (next level super nova spicy hot mess ) suspense horror mystery ( drama armageddon black mamba ) like all these concept all come 2 tg even if its not suspence or virtual its just a part of aespa they have there corky cute funky side n there mystery suspense side or there virtual side in there summer concept aespa are musical genius in i feel great listening to theres song theres multiple things i can listen 2 and all there albums have one song thats summer or girly like hotmess it gave girly in virtual aespa just rlly makes songs 2 full you up so you dont have to ask for more like the whole website stuff

[@CUTEXCAM]

the context of the mvs is not to be funny and if you are curious about what is actually occurring i recommend you do some critical thinking: aespa (avatar x experience & aspects) their digital avatars were made and created completely based on their own data and can be sent out across their universe to do the things they no longer want to physically do themselves. In Supernova & Armageddon we get the same VR reality lens that we normally get but this time we know that Giselle is the only cognitive member not present in the mv hence why the members are trying to make her go supernova through heat, emotional distress, and wind power/quantum physics. (IN SUPNOV)We are uploaded to Karina’s character and there are certain conditions that must be met so they can each gain cognitive control over their own aes and when Giselle signals that we are uploaded to her consciousness (US MYS) get to say the tagline before the first chorus. Each of their Povs is similar to how four ppl would enter a car. It is very similar to character structure of neon genesis and during their awakening post death is when they get transform into their superbeing avatars but they will always spawn in evil before they spawn in as good. Karina/MYS are the embodiment of all of the bat creatures and the eyeball/tv/camera that takes out the evil ningning thus making us like water. Winter is the designer of each of these worlds and shows Ningning the inattentive eye of MYs inside of the SB which caused her eye to transform and injured which karina heals later by becoming her eyepatch. Winter encounters the wandering eye (mys/BM/naevis) and we basically give her some eye drops to purge the evil from her and allow her to transform into her true form🦋. Giselle has a hole in heart where she does not know how to see herself from a third person perspective but Karina becomes her heart which is funny bc she punches the camera in SPNV to fix her dilemma. Ningning has the superbeings eyes but could not hear the truth which Winter can with her own ability 🦇. Try watching the mvs and BELIEVE everything as TRUE and then look back on their story from next level bc it is an entirely different narrative. We basically got coraline(d) into their world and it explains why we are both BM and Naevis and now in the ONE superbeing!! the animator who created the eyeball TV and the superbeing is super cool and leads to an infinite number of possibilities to see within their storyline do not discredit those who are creating artistic worldviews when they could have gone the easy route and done something easily digestible

[@syryozh6957]

okay... so, personally for me, everything went downhill after my world. like, i LOVE that ep so much it's so good and spicy is TOO good. then, drama... title is okay, but... what the hell are the rest? cohesiveness? never heard of her. i was quite disappointed. and then armageddon... my hopes were SO high, but... i didn't love a single song in this album. armageddon, bahama, and supernova are kinda good, but I don't find myself listening to them in my free time. as an enjoyer of hyperpop ish songs, I WASN'T moved by armageddon or supernova. i miss pre hiatus aespa so much. where're aes, storyline? where's my girlie naevis? where're cohesive albums? where's giselle? seriously, sm neglects her and her talents so much for no reason. we had no decent giselle rap in title track since girls. she's the MAIN rapper. hot mess was my last straw(do i have to explain? the song slaps tho...) i hate this sh1thole of a company so much. my comment ended up messy and toxic, but I'll still leave it here. thanks.

[@KikisDolls99]

for me it is supernova > mine > armageddon > the rest

[@user-xr8yv3vg5d]

Supernova is the best kpop music right now

[@burnbutterfly3400]

I could not agree more !!

[@phil20_20]

Not their best work. I notice aespa gets the blame for bad songs, but none of the credit for the good ones. Nega-fans should be more careful what they say.

[@norah672]

They can’t work for the same producers because they all left when LSM left 💀

[@seulgikea]

is this true? 😭 i mean we still have demjointz and sumin..

[@RichRichification]

Only that you guy left kenzie is still there she worked on supernova

[@sowhat1674]

Kenzie is usually good at lyrics. ​@RichRichification

[@whoIwho]

Not gonna watch but i liked supernova on first listen armageddon ane hot mess on other tries but i like the songs alot they are diverse so i get it

[@erinetan1277]

27:40

[@klduong7022]

I have rarely seen somebody who speaks this slow.

[@mumupepekk]

when yall understand that the koreans like the other songs more like?? just look at popularity with live my life, they like it way more than the international fan favorite "aespacore" sound (mine). when the more quick yall realize that they will never stop making more "normal" songs like that for their albums to satisfy their korean fanbase is the day you guys find peace, also you can just unstan??? no one forcing you to listen to them lmao also just leave svage to god idk what to tell it anymore boringg

[@seulgikea]

alright friend have a nice day ❤

[@ilubyou13]

Or you can let others have their opinions on groups they like? If you’re this offended, you gotta get off the internet

[@tem7939]

aespa aside what are your thoughts on cosmic? 🫣

[@seulgikea]

actually a cute title track!!!!! despite all the dirt sm has been giving to them

[@mbo4950]

After savage people wanted a song that remind them of it but if they do it people again be like oh no it sound so similar in conclusion people are never satisfied