Rather than lean harder into their own sound, LE SSERAFIM’s newest album feels like a bid to become another NewJeans. The problem is, HYBE already has a NewJeans and they’d do much better to diversify the style of the roster. It’s easy to see why a track like Easy was chosen for promotion, and its chart positions have rewarded Source Music’s decision to play things safe. It’s less clear why the entire album has been painted with this subdued, lowkey energy. Even the tropical bounce of Smart opts for restraint.
Like Easy, this isn’t a “bad” song. It just feels so inconsequential — one idea repeated for two and a half minutes with a laissez faire attitude that’s meant to come across as cool and aloof but feels closer to disinterested. The track is very “easy listening,” which seems to be a preferred vibe for many K-pop groups at the moment. And if that’s how you consume music, it’ll likely make a nice soundtrack for just about any activity. I’ve never been a passive music listener (as evidenced by this blog!), so I struggle to find much merit in this approach.
Smart‘s narrow, sub-three-minute frame feels appropriate, as there’s not a ton of musical territory to cover. Any longer and the song would begin to grow dull, but a dynamic bridge or countermelody could have delivered a satisfying conclusion that begged for instant replays. Instead of unveiling a sonic journey, Smart is stuck in one gear, nodding its head and tapping its toe but never actually moving.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Do we have to? (says the snarky brat in me)
Its fine, and another one the kids can have, because I still ain’t buying it. The audio equivalent of Forever21 in the mall.
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Love this vibe, I actually think the song has this energetic and dynamic feel to it. Perfect for some dancing, too.
I wasn’t in love with LE SSERAFIM to be honest, Unforgiven sounded a little too much like ITZY, and I almost felt like I’m in a position where I don’t dislike but I also don’t love these two groups. However, this EASY comeback and mini-album really did do it for me.
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Out of the songs on their new mini, Smart was my favorite. It’s got a pretty addictive beat and melody to it, but it is very slight, it starts to feel a bit repetitive (probably due in part to that lack of dynamic), and I’m not a fan of the processing on their voices, which is probably the thing that irritated me most. I do really like the top line that they add in that last chorus, that adds some texture. Ultimately, it squeaked into my music collection. It’s the only song on the album that did. My friend texted me that the album was a vibe after it dropped, and I agree. It’s a collection of vibes. This was the one that I vibed along with the most.
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It cannot be overstated enough how much this sounds like the La Croix version of the african artist Tyla’s music to me – Definitely in the same wheelhouse as her songs ‘Truth or Dare’ and ‘Water’ – and it has me curious as to how much of what I do like of this song is because of it. I’m not sure I need to listen to it multiple times but it is something I remember the sound of so I guess it’s a success?
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i was going to say the same thing, but you beat me to it. Totally Tyla’s Water vibes. Not a bad thing at all.
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it’s the same genre (amapiano) except this one doesn’t have a single South African producer credited, so that’s probably why. to me, it sounds similar to Doja Cat’s Woman – particularly the chorus melody of both songs (“I’m a smarter baby smarter” and “woman let me be your woman”)
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Ohh, same here. I also thought it sounded familiar to Woman by Doja Cat while everyone was saying Water by Tyla.
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Calling it the “La Croix version of Tyla’s music” is so accurate!
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Hard carried for the fact I like Chaewon lol Otherwise, radio song #5456546456546 that makes me prefer watching tv news.
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Since these songs are so bare, there’s not many distractions and it’s easier to tell when the vocals aren’t really bringing it, imo. An artist with a really pretty or interesting vocal texture might be able to bring a little spice, but LSF isn’t doing anything particularly exciting to elevate it. None of them are jaw dropping singers, but to me, they genuinely sound better on more vocally demanding songs like No Celestial. I wish this release had taken after the tone they set in the intro!
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the newjeans comparison was enough to let me know i wouldn’t like it. subdued can be pretty, but disinterested is boring.
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Seems like LE SSERAFIM is going either too annoying with repetitive lyrics (like Unforgiven) or too dull (this whole album except Good Bones).
Basically a 6 for me to this song, and the entire album as well. I wish that they could just hop into more mature concept with strong and stable chorus instead of chanting some random words with hollow production. Good Bones did deceive me in the beginning to let me think that the whole album would be a heavy rock-influences pieces, turns out the songs become more and more muted and plain.
This MV just looks like a way they’re gonna to do the ‘Trilogy’ things by revealing the possible next album/song named ‘Crazy’ or what, which I slightly dislike in K-pop by binding the subsequent releases as a set of same or similar concept. Just make the artist to do with an organic changes accordingly.
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I personally think they are broadening their reach and playing with different sounds. I feel like looking at groups through the lense of only “K-Pop” is doing yourself a disservice.
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the maknae is 17 and they have her doing…uhhh…
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A little better than EASY…6.5/10? I like them a lot, so I wish their music matched their charm. Too many of the songs are about how great they are without demonstrating what’s so great about them! Still, there is some real talent here that shouldn’t go to waste…😊😊
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It’s sad to know that they haven’t released any good songs since Blue Flame and for that reason I think they should disband. The decision of Source Music to disband Gfriend just to debut these good-looking members who, 60% of them couldn’t sing to save their life is appalling
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this being an obvious copycat of water by tyla puts a bad baddd taste in my mouth + the generic vocals + them having eunchae, who is 17, doing all that….yeah i’m a hater from the start
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