Three and a half years since their debut, aespa have finally released their first full length album. Armageddon is led by two title tracks, the first of which has already become a major hit. Supernova embraced the K-pop maximalism of years past, making many wonder if Armageddon would follow suit. Instead, this track pulls back for a mix of old-school hip-hop and NCT-style posturing.
I guess this is why the idea of “double title tracks” is beneficial. Supernova was tailored to my taste and showcased many of aespa’s best assets. From its very first teaser, I knew Armageddon would be a harder pill to swallow. I tend to prefer material with a robust melodic range. Armageddon‘s trudging beat and droning chorus don’t do much for me. The song is well-performed and produced. The stretched-out phrasing of its hooks offers an instant calling card, but it’s just not that pleasant to listen to.
Funny enough, within these melodic constraints Armageddon provides aespa a better vocal showcase than Supernova. The girls wring everything they can from the track, adding runs and flourishes to give it their own touch. This delivery elevates the material, but in the end there’s only so much you can do with the song’s lumbering chorus. A dramatic bridge briefly breaks from the melodic monotony, offering a peek at the galvanizing energy that could have buoyed a stronger centerpiece. In the end, it’s a matter of taste and preference, but so far Armageddon is my least favorite aespa title track.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
lol, i thought i would really like this because of the chorus, but the rest of the song is just not it for me. Not that its bad but it doesnt blend well enough with the chorus.
LikeLike
It was a struggle to get through😍
Even with the mv, and that was the best part💀
I don’t think I should have dreaded listening to a song but there is always room for new experiences🙂😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for releasing supernova aespa😁😍❤️
LikeLiked by 4 people
honestly it wasn’t bad but it was very forgettable like that one song in an artists discography that comes on a year and a half later and you’re like “oh🙂, you exist, okay😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely agree with that, I think it’s an okay song but very forgettable. Supernova just doing a bit too well so i kinda expected more
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not too bad, but not too special either. Like the 90s-00s hip hop influence, but wish the song had more to it. Should have released Armageddon before Supernova to be honest and made the latter the main title track. Straight 8 for me, but idk how it’ll age.
LikeLiked by 2 people
yeah this isn’t for me either. disappointing that this came from SUMIN who also made Look by Red Velvet and Bother Me by Chungha which are both excellent. I’m so glad we have Supernova, and the fact that it’s doing very well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ahaha i kinda expected that this wouldn’t be your cup of tea because it’s indeed quite nct-ish lol but yes supernova is so much better
LikeLiked by 1 person
that being said as an nctzen myself i do enjoy the b-sides Mine and Set The Tone to the fullest tho kk
LikeLike
For me, this ended up like a Red Velvet situation, I like the ‘darker’ side, but I MUCH prefer the experimental and brighter sound. The mv was gorgeous, I’ll give them props for that, but in my opinion Supernova is undoubtedly the best title track out of the two.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Very NCT. The “unnnnnn” chorus drags, unfortunately. I do appreciate the SM-isms, like the “bang chitty bang” pre-chorus. This could be MV of the year, though, it’s incredible.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I thought this seemed way more readily melodic than the average NCT song??
Packed with melodies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Armageddon might be a grower for me as time passes but right now I prefer Supernova.
But on the plus side, they went all out on the MV’s this comeback which I really appreciate. The MV for Armageddon is very intense. I have a feeling that it and Supernova will be some of my favorite k-pop music videos of the year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
BTW what are your thoughts on their new album? 👀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not really feeling it tbh. Supernova stands far ahead of the pack.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually like it. I admit, they have a lot better songs but it’s not really a 7.25 for me. It’s more like an 8 for me. This isn’t really bad but it feels a bit bland and it needs a killing verse or a part to make it more listenable. I like the production of the MV, they really went all out for the MV. I thought the comeback was mid. However, I listened to the bsides and changed my mind about. The bsides surprised me a lot, especially because I didn’t hear the highlight medley.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The bridge is definitely the highlight. The chorus is growing on me with each listen. It’s very nct but the girls actually singing makes it more palatable. I think I like this more than drama and girls
LikeLiked by 1 person
First off, congrats to Aespa on dropping their first full length album! 🎉🎉🎉 Those are rarities in Kpop nowadays. The song itself is cool and I think it’s going to grow on me. The chorus is already stuck in my head. I like the contract between the bright Supernova and this. Especially the MV. Oh my goodness the MV is amazing. They’ve got BUDGET, honey.
On a more sentimental note, because of the exact timing that I got into Kpop, Aespa was the very first group that I got to watch debut. For that reason they’ll always hold a special place in my heart, even though Dreamcatcher is hands down my favorite group. So my opinion is probably colored by the fact that I’m cheering Aespa on like that one embarrassingly loud parent at a high school sports game.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Might be an 8 from me at best, but it’s got catchy sides to it. Feels like a Hot Sauce cousin, but I like this a tad better. Honestly, of all things that could be tied to armageddon, the last thing I expected them to do was a wordplay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
…this wasn’t supposed to be a reply but now it’s too late
LikeLiked by 1 person
I welcome the reply regardless anyway, haha! Hi! 👋
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its just not good songcraft. It sounds pieced together from bits and pieces, like trying to make a lego set from the pick-a-mix wall at the lego store. Possible, but you had to have chosen the pieces wisely first. Usually it just winds up looking “creative”.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think it’s a song that some people might like and some wont
8/10 for me
LikeLike
i’m go
LikeLike
i’m so surprised that not many are liking this song!?? i made an account to defend it haha, i think it’s my new favourite aespa title
LikeLiked by 1 person
vast majority are over youtube reddit. This is one of the few places
LikeLike
I don’t love it but I don’t dislike it either. The vocal shoecasing amd layering were better than the actual song. This is the grungiest Aespa have gotten and while I think they fit this sound I’m no sure all the parts come together here. This could grow on me soon but rn this is their worst tt for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not my style…reminds me of “Drama” which I still don’t like. Maybe there are so many songs like this because they’re EASY to put together? I have faith the full album will be rewarding and I’ll continue to follow aespa. I’d like to see a more relaxed release cycle in K-pop: less music put out every year, but better quality. I doubt this will happen with so many groups and so much competition…sigh.
7/10
LikeLike
I think there very well might be an age/generational issue.
This track is NCT on steroids which sounds like a mess but there is a sense of completeness and a consistent tone imo.
Usually agree with you, but for me it’s almost 10.
I think it’s on par with that one Japanese group you love so much lol.
LikeLike
I prefer Supernova over this.
LikeLike
My ears are ringing from the Donnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….
But yeah, I am sure many will write it down as “experimental” and “creative” to take away from the fact that the song is just too hard on your ears.
LikeLike
tbh I got kind of bored during it and was waiting for it to be done. It’s fine? I’m going to listen to the album and see how I feel.
LikeLike
A lot of concept and not much song. Supernova had a sense of fun and surprised me. This one is a bit sludgy and has a lot of drone.
And someone please explain to me why “chitty chitty bang bang” so frequently shows up in raps? I’m old enough to remember the movie, and if you know the movie, having that image of a whimsical flying car in your head during a rap kinda takes you out.
LikeLike
I don’t even know the movie you are talking about, but it is still taking me out.
Also the throw it back, throw it back, born to be queen😅
LikeLike
I love the contrast of maximalist Supernova to the gritty pace of Armageddon, it’s double title tracks done right. And I think it’s one of the perfect leading tracks combination in kpop.
I’ve said before that Spicy was a song that went through one ear and out the other but it was my most listened to track in 2023 lol and I felt this way when I first listened to Armageddon. So now I’m looping it 24/7.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Live my Life is probably one of my favorite girl group songs this year!!
LikeLike
I get what it was going for but far more boring than SuperNova. SM blows the ball again like with Illusion. I think it needed a really well made groovy hip-hop rap verse. Ahhh
LikeLike
need to revise my initial thoughts on this. I liked this the least except Next Level out of all aespa songs initially. But it’s a massive grower. Honestly it might be their best title track in terms of sound for me now. Tied with Drama
9.5/10
LikeLike
I love this song, its so catchy and scary
LikeLike