aespa – Whiplash – The 5th Mini Album (EP Review)

Reemerging from their busy world tour schedule still with energy and sass galore, the K-Pop girl group waste no time in returning to fine form on their new mini album.

After wrapping up their SYNK:PARALLEL LINE tour which enchanted fans across the world and gave the group ample opportunity to display their prowess at live performance and singing, it feels like aespa have barely had time to breathe before being thrust back onto the industry stage once again with new music. Nevertheless, the group’s 5th mini album ‘Whiplash’ sounds neither rushed nor compromises the group’s trendy, yet boundary-pushing sound. Instead, ‘Whiplash’ offers listeners even more evidence that aespa are capable of putting their mark on any genre and triumphing in the process. In the album therefore, fans can expect the group’s usual futuristic hyper-pop bops as well as smooth ballads, pop-rock anthems and dreamy R&B gems.

Title track ‘Whiplash’ comes storming into the fold with an instantly addictive dance beat that will get listeners bouncing just seconds into the track. With an accompanying music video that features members Karina, Winter, Giselle and NingNing strutting like supermodels, the sassy minimalism of ‘Whiplash’ would certainly sound at home in the background of a luxury fashion show. The arresting mid-tempo track is an ode to the group’s supreme self-confidence with a chorus refrain that boasts lines such as “One look give ’em whiplash”; in turn encouraging fans to embrace their unique selves and revel in the newfound confidence that this track will inspire in many. With both the singers and rappers in the group being afforded enough room to showcase their abilities, the catchiest part outside of the chorus may well be vocalist NingNing’s cool rap in the 2nd verse. Utilising her undeniable charisma to sell the track’s hip ambience, the singer raps “Keep it right, I know it, keep it classy”, while proving that each member’s fixed positions in the band are mere guidelines for the aespa members, who continually excel in their versatile talents.

Long-time fans of the group may liken the experimental hip-hop of ‘Kill It’ to 2021’s slick hyper-pop track ‘Savage’ which both divided and thrilled audiences with its alternative sound. ‘Kill It’ is not too dissimilar to ‘Savage’, with a return to aespa’s signature take on hyper-pop including repetitive lyrical refrains (“I-I-I-I-I I kill it”), unconventional harmonies and a futuristic electronic-based instrumental. Using this formula, ‘Kill It’ will be another high-calibre banger for fans, who will simply lap up this track.

aespa once again change up their sound with the retro-inspired R&B/hip-hop track ‘Flights, Not Feelings’. With a laid-back and even tempo, the song adopts a glitzy and fresh sound, laying a chill foundation for rappers Karina and Giselle to expertly play around with the beat and execute a satisfyingly suave vocal performance. The lyrics talk of a need to protect oneself from the unpredictability of love, as the members express “Catching flights not feelings, I’m not tryna hurt myself”. Winter’s airy, yet husky vocals also work wonders on this type of track; carrying the song’s light melody like a soft summer’s breeze.

4th track ‘Pink Hoodie’ sees the members flaunt their down-to-earth preference for comfort and practicality over flashy and “suffocating” fashion. The track, which plays out over a glitchy bass-heavy hip-hop instrumental, is both playful and ultra sleek in its combination of a swaggering beat and the girls’ cooly casual delivery. The song reminds us that behind the daring hooks and razor-sharp looks of the girl group, 4 supremely talented women stand embracing their unique selves to fans, no matter what anyone has to say about it.

‘Flowers’ is aespa’s enchanting take on slow-burn R&B featuring a leisurely guitar accompaniment and a subtly sultry ambience. This is where dexterous sopranos Winter and NingNing are given wings to soar within this track; unearthing a dreamy vocal performance that sounds straight out of heaven. The lyrics themselves are suggestive in their depiction of falling deeper in love with vivid sensory descriptions of desire in lines such as “Locked away forever in my garden, show me your flowers”. The entire track is softly lulling and will mesmerise fans upon the very first listen.

The album’s closing track “Just Another Girl’ is another triumphant take on an old-school pop-rock sound, characterised by a euphoric, upbeat instrumental, and an extremely catchy melody sung with an abundance of playful attitude. It’s definitely going to be nigh on impossible for listeners to make it through the track without at least humming along to the chorus, which details a girl’s dismissal of a love interest who has been unfaithful. At the heart of it all though, is aespa’s message to keep being unapologetically you, no matter who tries to bring you down.

Score/Outstanding: It isn’t easy for artists to keep outdoing themselves again and again with every new release, and yet aespa achieves this with no lack of self-assurance and confidence in their ever-growing abilities. Listeners can rest assured, knowing that these 4 girls will never let them down.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

Follow aespa on:
Instagram
Youtube