Pre-release tracks aren’t necessarily meant to become the biggest hit of an artist’s career, but aespa’s Supernova surprised everyone by lodging itself at the top of the charts for the better part of the year. Karina’s recent solo track Up seems to be doing the same, adding to aespa’s red hot ascent. Now, the full group has returned to wrap up their incredible 2024 with new single Whiplash.
As exciting as aespa can be, their musical output sometimes gives me… well… whiplash. Their singles run has been hit or miss, evident even in the disparity between Supernova and Armageddon. They find their sweet spot in propulsive electro pop, first utilized in 2021’s excellent Next Level. Whiplash goes full bore in this direction, offering a strutting dance beat that’s more engaging than the song itself. I love how consistently upbeat this instrumental is. Its pulse never relents, growing bigger and bolder as the track goes on. It’s not the most unusual or idiosyncratic production I’ve ever heard, but in a climate of subdued, easy-listening girl group pop I’m pleased to hear some energy.
When it comes to Whiplash‘s hooks, I’m of two minds. On one hand, this style of song suits a repetitive spoken-word centerpiece, but we also know how incredible aespa are when they’re belting out melody. If we were to completely remove Whipash‘s production, I’m not sure there’d me much of a song left — just four girls awkwardly muttering “whiplash” over and over. Because of this, I appreciate the moments where the track makes room for dynamic melody. The build toward its second chorus is especially effective and should have provided a guide for the entire song. Overall, this is a solid continuation of Supernova‘s musical success but not the knockout it could have been.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Aespa for the win. The SM peeps have found a gestalt and are sticking with it, and how. The video is also stylish, a good use of a big budget with a plot and visual styling that we haven’t seen before. Plus “Official Audio” MVs released for the rest of the songs too, so SM are killing it.
As for the song, I will let the kids have fun with this one, though I do Like it with a big eL. Find a groove beat the works and stick with it. It still has bucu vocal fry, which can bother my ears, but it isn’t fries with a double side of fries as with earlier releases. For me, the rating is about right though others might rate a few ticks higher. Fine.
I also enjoyed all the “Supernova” remixes they put out this summer. It was another time when I thought well hot damn Grimes.
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The Kenzie and Grimes remix have not left my consciousness since they dropped!! I love how spacey-ness of the Kenzie remix, and the dreamy and magical feel of the Grimes remix
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It’s a pretty good way to end a successful year and also serves as Supernova’s nice little successor. The spoken chorus works well in the song, maybe cause I prefer these kinds of choruses in a dance beat like this or Supernova (or like Beautiful Liar by Generations or even Gambler by Monsta X), since the combo seem to blend well together. But it’s still good, I liked it.
8.75 (8, 9, 9, 9) for me.
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Strongly agree on the “remove the bear and there is no song left” argument. The build-up to the second chorus is the highlight of the song for me and I wish they had utilized that melodic singing a little more throughout the track, especially at the end!! Still, this is a solid track but it’s very different for an aespa title, which I don’t mind.
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i just know the itaewon gay clubs will have this on repeat. at least a 9
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I love it and I want 10 more of it!
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Mother, Gay, served, Gay clubs, Ningning and that’s all I need to say about this to get my general point across😍
9.25/10😍
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This is NingNing’s era for sure 🔥🔥
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Even Giselle’s too! She shone a lot this comeback 🤭
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this song is amazing, the vocals, the production, solid 9 to me.
Melody reminded me of BP/ GAGA Sour Candy but this is so much better.
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You haven’t truly experienced this song until you play it in car speakers. I love the song (granted not as much as Supernova) but it reminds me of recession pop era music & the recent popularization of techno house especially Charlie xcx’s Von Dutch (it’s weirdly both minimalistic but has a maximalist flair?)
Also, this album is SO SM, especially Kill It (I heard influences from SHINee’s b-sides like ‘Area’, EXO’s Damage, NCT’s Skyscraper). I agree I would’ve loved a more fleshed out chorus, but it’s still a banger in my opinion, and I love it so much
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forgot to rate it, a 9-9.25 for me.
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And Charli XCX is also having a hell of a year too.
“Von Dutch” is a maximalist-minimalist in the same way that SHINee “Lucifer” is a maximalist-minimalist. The loud dominating drive with a big distorted waahhhhh sound is actually simple but sounds complicated.
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I agree! I thought that “Whiplash” reminds me a lot of the upbeat dance songs from Charli XCX’s recent album “brat” (which is amazing imo).
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Here lies a proud owner of the ‘brat’ cd
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Really like this song! Definitely my cup of tea and I’m glad aespa are releasing songs like these since they suit this sound so well. Love the instrumental and the pre-choruses (?)/the vocal parts!
Only thing I would’ve wished for is an even harder hitting instrumental at the end but eh, the song is also amazing as it is.
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I do think aespa was missing their sing-talk dance track, kind of jumping into the trend XG or LE SSERAFIM have been jumping into.
While it is true that there would not really be an actual song if you remove the production, this is easily one of the cases when the production takes the center stage and it’s meant to be that way. i appreciate that choice, especially because aespa has proved they are a vocally competent group both live and with past releases.
This was a step in the right direction to me and their EP is their best mini-album/album effort since savage.
A 10 for real.
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Ditto to most of the review. Just want to say I hate the “whip whiplash” part
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Out of all the kpop songs this year aiming for “the girls and the gays” vibes, this one nailed the target.
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nice. Very cool
8.75/10 for me (9, 9, 8, 9)
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this is the actual pretty girl mantra
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When they first came out their music wasn’t for me but recently they’ve released quite some bangers and this one is good too. The clip is just great!
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It’s ok.
Somewhere in the 7s.
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This is wonderful and I’m just happy that they gave us a proper, well executed Kpop song. It is a little bit softer than Supernova, but I’ll take it over everything most girl groups are doing. I tamed my expectations when I heard the teasers, but I was pleasantly surprised when I heard this. I don’t go to clubs (gay or straight), but it sounds great while driving!
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Isn’t this literally what a ton of other girl groups are doing?
Production over vocals?
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I believe they’re talking about the mellowness of recent kpop releases (soft, airy, floaty, etc, ‘easy-listening, and such)
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Exactly!
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The music show performance I just watched on YT did nothing for this song…it was very dull🤯
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I’m living for aespa doing cyberpunk-esque songs! It really fits them like a glove. In a way, Whiplash is Supernova’s darker and clubbier cousin for me.
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I bet I’ ll be bopping to this in no time, but for now I’m not entirely enthusiastic. I do looove a good house beat (if this is one, I don’ t know anything about genres), but this song is just that: a really good beat, and absolutely nothing else. On the one hand I can appreciate that minimalism, because it’ s done well. On the other hand.. it’ s not enough for me. Or maybe this vibe is just not for me altogether and that is okay also.
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I dunno..I love the song but similar to LE SSERAFIM’s CRAZY, its a little too repetitive.
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Sounds like Supernova’s little sister, but not in a bad way!
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for me it’s a 10 because I grew up listening to house and techno and trance which is what this song perfectly captures
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Very similar to Supernova, but also strong notes of Britney’s “Work Bitch”.
Dance track, but not a lot to think about. I can see it being a transition track in the mix.
Very straightforward, no surprises.
Solid ok, we’ll see if it grows on me.
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I feel like Charli XCX was on the moodboard for this one. I still really love the song tho, it’ll be part of my imaginary extended brat album ❤
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Nothing wrong wrong with the song, though I prefer fun over COOL. My problem is with their whole image these days: they are just not of this earth anymore and I can’t connect. And I agree about the singing: they are a great vocal group who have embraced a style of music which downplays singing. I’m sure I’ll get to like this more in time, but I still don’t care much about “Supernova.” (8/10)
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I don’t think aespa, and by extension SM, ever produced a group ‘of this world’ They’ve never gone for relatability and more for ‘out of your reach’ grandness. Doubt you can feel ‘connected’ to Next Level, but it doesn’t take away from its merits.
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👍👍
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There is not much objectivity in some of your comments! “Their singles run has been hit or miss, evident even in the disparity between Supernova and Armageddon.” I fully understand that appreciating music is subjective experience and as far as Armageddon you did not like it, but to openly insinuate that it is a miss, that remove any credibility to your assessment. Giving a score of 8 for production to Armageddon, when it is nominated for best video of the year, once again shows a lack of objectivity.
After 5 months Armageddon is still in position #37 on Melon Top100, quite a miss!!!
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I love Armageddon so I’m not trying to fight you, but his production score has nothing to do with the MV, which doesn’t factor into any of his scoring criteria. I’m pretty sure the only time the MV comes into play on this site is during the end of year best music video rankings.
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Great song!
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I’m enjoying Whiplash a lot for now, but it feels like a bit of a one trick pony, so I’m not sure about its staying power. Aespa songs tend to be massive growers for me, though, so hopefully I’m wrong
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Okay, but it just feels recently when they came up with SuperNova. Why not revel in their smash hit success era for a bit before rushing on to put out another track. Or have I just lost sense of time?
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the best
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