aespa Armageddon Album Review
Added 2024-05-27 11:15:50 +0000 UTCI said it in the review but I feel like this is the album I've wanted to hear in K-pop for so long.
It's got the FIRST rating of it's kinda - A * (star).
Not because I was obsessed with every single song but I was blown away by the cohesion, growth in their sound, vocal AND musical production.
I rarely fall in love with FULL albums in this way but this just seemed like a masterpiece that was VERY intentional in its execution and really showcased aespa at THEIR BEST.
LOVE IT!!
Enjoy!
Comments
YESSSSS
Koko3op
2024-06-04 03:21:28 +0000 UTCThis album feels so quintessentially SM and it actually made me so nostalgic for all the years and groups I’ve tuned into from SM - I can hear the legacy of senior groups and their vocal training in the music, the production, the lyrics. There’s a phrase I think Winter hits in Armageddon that sounds so Yoo Young Jin I got chills! What an album!
Katherine Simmers
2024-06-04 03:09:52 +0000 UTCThat mini was very solid but looking back their vocal delivery just doesn't feel as engaging as it does now which is natural as they've grown and are finding who they are which seems hyper present now. Like I've gone back to listen to "I'll make you cry" and "Lucid Dream" which was a FAVE of mine and then you go listen to "Mine" and the growth and confidence is INSANE. Which is crazier cos that's an old song but how they deliver it is impressive.
Koko3op
2024-05-30 18:09:06 +0000 UTCI don't think I'll ever get over the Savage mini and will forever compare anything they release with it... so this album felt pretty mid to me
Jojo
2024-05-30 16:12:49 +0000 UTCAlso I totally agree with you wanting a big vocal finish on prologue... It's like companies are afraid to put powerful ad libs on final choruses of bsides, even though that's the natural conclusion for kpop songs. Maybe they don't want every song to be like a title track, but imo that makes every song better. Silly to not make that chorus big and emotional
Sam
2024-05-29 07:49:32 +0000 UTCThe first four songs were amazing and fit perfectly. Past that, I really liked some songs, but it is a bit disappointing that they couldn't pull off an album as fully cohesive as Savage. I can't help but think how fun Licorice could've been if it didn't have that droning home depot-style instrumental in the back, and Live My Life was just a bit too played out to be on an Aespa album for me. With that, I still enjoyed the other songs, and I love that Aespa still keeps a very pretty ballad at the end of their albums - who cares if it doesn't fit, it's such a nice way to end an album
Sam
2024-05-29 07:37:58 +0000 UTCI'll put it this way. Supernova, Arma & Mine including the videos had already made the album an A lol and so what helped was how well produced the remainder of the album was. And the simple fact that it feels like an album with a lot of work put in to it and they sound like they have their own sound deserved a lot of merit even if I didn't love every song on there. But I get where you're coming from though I wouldn't say you should worry, I'm sure their next mini will be solid. Many k-pop artists stumble when it comes to their first full albums and rarely have fully fleshed out songs on top of that so I had to give credit where it's due, this also gives them room to grow sonically and vocally whilst not being too underwhelming.
Koko3op
2024-05-29 04:36:50 +0000 UTCI've listened to this album multiple times and something is missing so I'm surprised to see your ranking. Apart from Supernova, Armageddon, Mine and Bahama - the rest of it is just okay, not bad but not great. I feel aespa's A&R team has been trying to replicate Illusion's success with tracks like Salty and Sweet, Trick or Trick and now Set the Tone and it just hasn't worked. They have also been trying to soften aespa's image with brighter tracks like Life's Too Short, ICU, Lingo, Hot Air Balloon, YOLO, Don't Blink, Long Chat, Prologue, Live My Life (straight out of Disney Channel) which is fine, but the music is so average. Anyway, their title track run and performances are great, so I will keep tuning in, but their overall discography has me worried.
MZ
2024-05-29 04:00:16 +0000 UTCHAHA honestly!!
Koko3op
2024-05-29 03:39:29 +0000 UTClmao it's been a day and I've been coming back to your Armageddon reaction and just cracking up at the first 10 secs with Karina snatching you out of that chair. 😂😂😂 No lie I kept my expectations low because I was kinda meh on Supernova, so I wanted to experience Armageddon through your reaction first. But nah Karina got me too, cause I had to pause your reaction after that, watch the MV and then come back LOL. aespa didn't have to go THAT hard.
Mica Ferguson
2024-05-28 23:16:04 +0000 UTCTHIS IS NINGNINGS ERA FOR SUREEEEE
Ethan Ashwill
2024-05-28 19:43:26 +0000 UTCTHIS!!
Koko3op
2024-05-28 17:32:01 +0000 UTCI absolutely LOVE when you can tell there's been a lot of time and effort put into something (similar thing I felt with Ive's recent comeback). A nicely layered and stacked music production, it's hip hop with a side of r&b, but it's still experimental and cohesive with Aespa's sound. The mv is also SO good - it feels like a natural progression for their style visually. It still has this futuristic, alien, supernatural kinda feel but feels like a more mature version, which I am DOWN for 😂 The confidence and attitude is coming out, yet it feels authentic so it just adds on to everything! Loved watching your reaction 🥰
life of nicole
2024-05-28 12:20:55 +0000 UTCNopeeee
Koko3op
2024-05-28 03:09:22 +0000 UTCI know this isnt aespa related but since i saw them are you going to do a FLO album reaction
demoni scott
2024-05-28 01:56:34 +0000 UTCOhh I was expecting longer friend! Haha yesss the Indian chromatic scale ATE! And yes this vocal direction definitely works very we'll
Koko3op
2024-05-28 01:34:33 +0000 UTCYeahh those two songs were very meh! Yes I'm now aware it's another D.Caesar lool. Yes prologue does give strong taeyeon vibes haha
Koko3op
2024-05-28 01:33:25 +0000 UTCEXACTLYYYY
Koko3op
2024-05-28 01:32:17 +0000 UTCTbh I'd probably have them in that order as well! lol
Koko3op
2024-05-28 01:31:45 +0000 UTCHahah tbh I'm glad I like supernova a lot too so I'm happy that the Korean public gets it at least. Yeahh I agree, groups are definitely improving, esp gg's
Koko3op
2024-05-28 01:31:10 +0000 UTCI may do now that I have someone doing a spreedsheet of all the albums I've listened to so far!
Koko3op
2024-05-28 01:30:12 +0000 UTCI decided to stan Aespa since Drama & I don’t regret it. Armageddon is superior!
Aisyah
2024-05-27 23:50:28 +0000 UTCfeel like my comment is gonna be quite long LOL; ngl the wait for a full album was well worth it (even though it's been like 4 years LMFAOO) firstly the production of the album is insane... like dem jointz on the pre-release title and sumin on the album release title, not to mention kenzie was on a couple tracks???? the vocal direction too was so good like the girls just get better and better with their delivery. one thing i noticed is that they're giving ning more of the higher notes because i think they're realizing how ning's lighter approach is way less taxing for vocal health and can still sound powerful through a mic, whereas winter's bolder approach leaves more impact in her comfortable range. 30:30 YASSS its very much an indian chromatic scale in the vocals; a bunch of precise, melismatic half steps in the notes without modulating the vowel. i'm also an r&b girlie so i very much do agree with you how the harsh instrumentals mesh incredibly well with the siren style of vocals. this era lowkey reminds me of shinee's 'don't call me.'
Jonathan
2024-05-27 22:18:57 +0000 UTCi was genuinely scared after drama bc i loveeeeee that song and i didn’t know how they were gonna top it but omfg.. they have not missed!! 😭😭
gretchen
2024-05-27 19:52:55 +0000 UTCnow yes! i looove this album and i was worried because all their minis except savage are a mess armageddon, i have not liked a song from korea this much on first listen since btbt, crazy. let supernova enjoy the charts this one is for the arts!! while i have a couple songs i did not like ( long chat and licorice) they are still ok and add to the whole. and i dont care because i like the rest a lot. and aside from their charisma improvement i hear their vocals having cha-ra-cter! (prologue is for sure from taeyeons vault haha) also daniel cesar is not thee daniel cesar xd, he is producer that has worked with sm a bit and can they please restock the cd player, i want it!
inconsistent enjoyer
2024-05-27 19:50:21 +0000 UTCThis shit right here... I can't even deal with how they killed this album. I'm flabbergasted. Supernova gave me Shinee vibes in the best possible way. Armageddon slaps. Song of the year for me right now. Set the tone is another stripper song gifted to me by SM this year (Smoothie is still undefeated lol). Mine is one of my favorites and you were so right about Mariah's rnb/hip hop style! I immediately thought of the vibe in Breakdown. This album was well done. Shout out to SM for reminding us who they are and that still have that spark. If only they would get back to their consistent quality standards and for the love of all that is holy pay their damn artists equitable wages! Out there losing all the damn talent....
Kym
2024-05-27 18:31:12 +0000 UTCOk 5 months into the year, rank the best gg comebacks so far. MY candidates are: Supernova Super Lady Superwoman Girls Night Heya or Accendio, your fav Dash Untouchable Go! ;)
C Baker M
2024-05-27 17:45:19 +0000 UTCHaha, your taste really doesn't align with the Korean public's, as you feared. Supernova is already a number-one Korean hit and should stay high up the whole year but I don't think Armageddon will be. It should hang around solidly in Top 50 but I'm assuming it would do much better on Global-YT instead of K-charts. The album is great! A few of the later b-sides feel like there are some missed opportunities but that's just nitpicking In fact, as a gg-listener, this year has just been full of good releases, and I expect it to continue. Kpop seems to have lost quite a bit of its "hot thing" status in global music. Instead, its settled into a solid fanbase, and in the relative quiet, seems to have regained a lot of mojo. Groups are improving and establishing sounds & identity, settling in for the long term, while doing their own things, allowing them to all co-exist with each other
Mint
2024-05-27 16:44:53 +0000 UTCI'm gagged. I really enjoyed supernova when it first came out so I was nervous that armageddon wouldn't be as good but I was wrong. Armageddon might grow to be one of my favorite gg songs from the past couple of years. And I absolutely LOVE the "bang chidi bang" section. It's so addicting lol. Overall great album. Can't believe it took so long for a full album. Would you ever make a video about the best kpop albums? I really like listening to albums and eps but there aren't many spaces that focus on overall album rankings in kpop. There's so many album convos in the western music market but in kpop, not so much. I find there's much more kpop convos on title tracks and b-sides instead.
Ellie
2024-05-27 16:34:57 +0000 UTCI don't know what Dem Jointz put in Supernova but I've been playing the song on repeat everyday IT'S IN MY BLOOD STREAMS
Alexia
2024-05-27 14:29:04 +0000 UTCI truly love it for them!!
Koko3op
2024-05-27 14:23:46 +0000 UTCTheir title tracks just keep getting better and better, they're growth is actually INSANE. THEY ARE THOSE GIRLS
ati
2024-05-27 13:53:25 +0000 UTCHAHAHAHA true. I really forgot wow
Koko3op
2024-05-27 13:52:12 +0000 UTCJKHFSDIAH RIGHT?!!
Koko3op
2024-05-27 13:17:53 +0000 UTCEXACTLY !!!! I'm sooo happy we're seeing SM at their best again
Koko3op
2024-05-27 13:17:45 +0000 UTClike??!?!? I love herrrr
Koko3op
2024-05-27 13:17:15 +0000 UTCIdk what it is but I just can't get into this album 😭 I love supernova and melody but outside of that nothing really is like pulling me in? Idk maybe it'll just take me some time to see the light
Kai Leon
2024-05-27 12:51:41 +0000 UTCI AM LOSING MY MIND!!! I waited for your reaction to finally listen to the song Armageddon and I am unwell! This song is perfect what the hell??? Are these girls alright??!
Chloé Hoarau
2024-05-27 11:55:52 +0000 UTCAespa has been hitting differently since Drama. Their charisma and stage presence is on another level. Supernova isn’t even the type of music I listen to but I’m obsessed! And now Armageddon? They got me gagged! I had a feeling you’d like Armageddon but def didn’t expect you to be so hyped about it! I love that! You’re right, the center that manages them needs to manage all SM groups! Please, just when we thought SM was losing their touch, they got us eating our words… there’s still hope with SM! Haha.
KD
2024-05-27 11:48:41 +0000 UTCNingNing in the center for that dance break in Supernova HITSSSS so hard how could you not bias? 🤩
Joe B
2024-05-27 11:47:15 +0000 UTCAND I'M SO SERIOUS
Koko3op
2024-05-27 11:42:45 +0000 UTC“i’m gonna get aespa tattooed on my forehead” 😭😭
Julian
2024-05-27 11:38:54 +0000 UTCThis album was amazing!!!! Hearing the highlight melody I knew it was going to be AOTY
LunaLunar
2024-05-27 11:32:48 +0000 UTCLMFAOOOO GIRL HOW I WAS DRUNKER THAN YOU
RDM22
2024-05-27 11:29:10 +0000 UTCOMFGGGG SDILFUAGDIUDFSAGILUDFSAGLIUASFGIUASDFGIULAFGDSLUIGDSFILUGDFSILGUAFDSLIUGDFSALGIUFSDAGIULFSADGL I FORGOT ABOUT THAT COMPLETELY OMG?!?!
Koko3op
2024-05-27 11:28:47 +0000 UTCI'll never forget you fighting for your life to block your ears when supernova came on in the club LMAOOO
RDM22
2024-05-27 11:25:21 +0000 UTCOMG i’m so excited to see your reaction
iman
2024-05-27 11:24:11 +0000 UTCAHAHAHAHAH omg!
Koko3op
2024-05-27 11:21:28 +0000 UTCThe way it’s 5:20am and i just wake my self up lol Been wating to see the reaction!
Fer Jimenez
2024-05-27 11:20:45 +0000 UTCNEVER CLICKED A NOTIF SO QUICK OMG
shye
2024-05-27 11:17:13 +0000 UTC
