It’s pretty ballsy to name your single “Hot Mess,” essentially teeing up critics and naysayers if the song is anything less than amazing. But if we’re speaking of “amazing,” aespa already have a super solid track record. And with Supernova‘s incredible chart dominance this spring, the girls seem to have entered an imperial phase. Can that energy extend to the Japanese market?
If Hot Mess is any indication, I’m not so sure. The song embraces an NCT-style suite of percussion, banging and clanging with sharp, abrasive tones. This works best when contrasted by a smooth, addicting melody. Otherwise, the track can easily become too cacophonous for its own good. aespa sing-talk their way through most of Hot Mess and this approach — coupled by that already cloying production — is a lot to take. There’s a world where a song is so combative that it becomes unexpectedly revelatory, but Hot Mess lacks the ambition to let that happen.
My biggest gripe with Hot Mess isn’t actually the production. It’s the fact that — rather than a song — it feels like a bunch of random segments thrown together without any through line or context. The boastful rap of the verses is more obnoxious than commanding, while the chanted chorus lacks imagination. Then, we’ve got some random ascending melodies thrown in for no reason other than to break up all the talking. It’s a ton of all caps SOUND that doesn’t amount to anything once the song has finished. I’m sure it’ll be someone’s cup of tea, but Hot Mess isn’t for me at all.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 6 |
| RATING | 6.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The second I played the song and heard that horn loop in the beginning I shut off the song and listened to cheeky icy thang because it already grew on me☠️
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s definitely a ‘hot mess’, I dig it 😻 Unpredictable and quirky and I’ve always loved pots / pans sounds + the ambient prechorus is kind of magical… the final chorus with the random chromatic ascension ?! intriguingly weird and annoying, luv luv luv
LikeLike
Honestly, I have nothing to latch onto. I’m not sure if I will revisit this in the future unfortunately.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked the hyperpop sound here, but boy, it needs better hooks.
7.5 (7, 8, 8, 7) for me
LikeLiked by 2 people
that chorus is kinda underwhelming for me
7.75/10 for me
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s interesting how in the same year aespa released one of my favorite songs, Supernova, and two singles which I’m less enthralled about. I think this is emblematic of the consistency issues SM has been having for some time (music-wise). I think with their last two comebacks, SM got lazy and have kept aespa a bit formulaic. It’s like I can guess exactly how their singles’ structure and sound will be, especially the SM-style abrupt bridge (something which has also plagued NCT). The chorus is catchy and the MV is fun, but I can’t say I will comeback and repeat it. Though I’m curious, has your opinion changed on some of their earlier songs? I went back to their 2020/2021 output and Black Mamba, Next Level, and Savage had definitely stood the test of time, I would venture to say they sound even better (a longevity which I feel songs like Hot Mess won’t have). This comment is more about personal grievances, and I’m aware a lot of people love songs like Hot Mess, so it’s just my opinion on the current state of aespa musically.
On a side note, I feel like you would enjoy Zoom Zoom from the album, reminded me of Red Velvet’s Hit that Drum. It’s a fun and upbeat song
LikeLike
Zoom Zoom was actually released late last year and Nick did a mini review on the track at the time:
https://thebiaslist.com/2023/10/08/new-noteworthy-j-pop-of-the-week-october-8-2023/
LikeLike
painfully bad. they said hot mess and that’s what it gave!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re like trying to make it Jpop-passing with the pop culture-filled MV. The song itself only has like 10% japanese at most damnnn so disappointing. I was expecting Aespa to keep their streak, guess they will achieve it through their Korean releases instead….
LikeLike
well… the title of the song is self-descriptive.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I mean. This sounds like a typical Aespa song tbh.
Instrumental similar to stuff off the Savage mini (I’ll make you cry, for example).
I don’t think I like this one, but yeah this almost like the quintessential Aespa song.
LikeLike
The B side sun and moon is a lot better! Zoom zoom is a disappointment due to containing almost no Japanese… All in all this is way better than that sham of a NJ Japan debut where they basically had another Korean comeback..
LikeLike
When I first heard it, I didn’t like it at all and although, I won’t go back to it to listen purposefully….I think it’s growing on me. It’s really a bit of a hot mess 🤧
LikeLike
Aside from the verses, I dig the production. The sing talking isn’t an issue for me, but the chanting is. The little that is sung is so unmemorable. I can hear the hit hidden amongst the song, but it’s under baked. I’ve had the luxury of seeing a group of producers (one who worked on next level) make a kpop song and I’ve seen how they can just be like “yeah that’s good” and move on. They really don’t worry about connecting ideas together. That’s what this song makes me think about most.
and this music video is not good. That gas station set is ugly and the sailor moon esque parts following it don’t match the song at all
LikeLike
aespa but make it Black Pink
pass pass its a fast pass
LikeLike