aespa’s Supernova is smashing the charts in unexpected ways, far surpassing the effect of their album’s actual title track. I’m happy to see this, as I’d love SM Entertainment (and girl groups in general) to fully embrace this upbeat electro sound. Apparently, the Korean listening public is of the same mind! However, I found Supernova‘s accompanying album to be more of a mixed bag. Armageddon swerves wildly between genres, resulting in a hodgepodge listening experience that sometimes feels like a collection of leftovers rather than a cohesive vision.
The breezy pop rock of Live My Life couldn’t be further from the sound of Armageddon‘s dual title tracks. Because of this, I’m surprised the agency decided to film a music video for the song. On the plus side, this sound is far more traditionally suited for the summer season. Its effusive chorus and driving energy practically beg you to roll down the windows and feel the air rush through your hair. It has a satisfying sense of catharsis and a classic pop structure that comes across as equal parts generic and timeless.
Is Live My Life indicative of what aespa bring to the K-pop industry? Probably not. Any number of groups could deliver this track in much the same way. However, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a sturdy pop song, performed well without any needless diversions that might interrupt its streamlined approach. It would make the perfect encore track at a concert as the members roam around the stage waving goodbye to fans.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
i was convinced bahama would be the single though, definitely more popular and summer-y.
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I thought the same. Summer is almost here and Bahama would’ve been a hit. The track resembles a lot of summer-y, beach-y vibes, so it would’ve been perfect.
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I honestly think both songs deserve to be singles perfect for the summer. I see summer road trip/festival vibes from Live My Life while BAHAMA is perfect for the beach.
They’re also my favorite b-sides from aespa’s new album.
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It wouldn’t surprise me if they do more… if you scan the QR code, it shows a Making MV that implied this is Part 1 of a release for a continued story, and I doubt it’s something that means waiting for their next comeback. It’s also not the only track MV they’ve done.
On more of an aside, at this point, I wish they would structure aespa’s releases a bit more like Red Velvet with the dual concepts. That way they could actually promote these more generic pop releases and their more high concept ones. It would also let them have more cohesive albums. The change from songs like Supernova and Armageddon to Live My Life or Bahama on the same album or EP can be very jarring. It also winds up giving off the impression that they can’t find enough of one, for lack of a better word, genre to fill the albums. Just my two cents and feelings though. I know others think differently.
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Ehi Nick, there’s the Peniel’s new single which is *very* interesting! Are you gonna write a review?
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Not planning on it, but your comment nudged me to go listen to the song and it’s not bad!
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Glad to have made you discover that! To me it’s one of the best singles of the year, and I’m wondering why they haven’t kept it for a full BTOB comeback (the chorus has a great vocal group potential, in my opinion)…
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Nothingburger.
Give us another “Welcome to my world”!
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This is a classic arena filling pop-rock song. Something about it sounds almost Taylor Swift-style (when she isn’t in her acoustic mopey moods).
Small quibble: I see four girls and hear one amalgamation of a voice.
Also thinking if not aespa doing this song, then someone like Rose’ could really sell the shit out of this song, standing up there big on the jumbotron strumming her guitar.
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