aespa returned with a sour taste beyond metallic.
aespa held a press conference on the afternoon of the 28th at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the release of their second full-length album 'LEMONADE' and discussed the new album.
Returning with a new full-length album two years after 'Armageddon,' aespa presents a new universe that includes the concept of Complaexity (컴플렉시티), which refers to a state in which multiple universes are infinitely intertwined.
Karina said the album means a lot to them. She said, This album is meaningful to us. We prepared it with excitement and a sense of responsibility because the first full-length album was loved so much. We discussed a lot and agonized over what image to show, so I hope you love this album a lot. We will also show you our grown-up selves, so please look forward to it.
Giselle said, Because the last album received more love than expected, I would like to ask for a lot of love for this album as well. There are many well-made and good songs, so please look forward to it., and Ningning said, I feel excited and nervous. There is aespa's own intensity, but you can also feel a relaxed, cool energy. We prepared it confidently, so I hope you love it a lot.
Winter also added, I am very excited and have high expectations. We tried to put our various moods and stories into each track. While recording, I thought about how we would show it on stage. I hope that when you listen to the album you will think, This is aespa.
aespa's second full-length album 'LEMONADE' is centered on the motif of 'crack,' which arises from the overlap of massive amounts of data from parallel worlds, and contains the message that even if the world gives us the sour lemon, we will express it through our own music, enjoying the confusion and cracks we experience.
Karina explained that the pre-release track 'WDA' and 'LEMONADE' are double title tracks and that the new universe begins with this album. She said, The pre-release track 'WDA' and 'LEMONADE' are double titles, and the universe newly begins from this album. I think it will be a more special album. We often described ourselves as metallic before, but this time we returned with a sour taste. I think you can spend this summer more refreshingly and coolly.
In particular, the album raised synergy with features from G-Dragon, who participated in the pre-release track 'WDA,' global pop star Becky G, and hip-hop artist Ty Dolla Sign.
aespa's title track 'LEMONADE' is an infectious electronic dance song with a strong, trendy synth-bass sound. Using the proverb If life gives you lemons, make lemonade as its theme, the lyrics hint at a new season of the aespa universe while cleverly conveying the positive message that no matter what trials and hardships come, they will be turned into opportunities in aespa's unique style.
Giselle expressed confidence about the new song, saying, The biggest charm is the message. It is also a mindset we pursue in daily life. The hook is very catchy and memorable. The sound and track are good and the quality is high. It's a song with many charms.
Winter said, The bass stayed with me a lot. I felt a strong impression. It stuck in my ear from the start. Overall it has a cool feeling, so I thought it's a good seasonal-timing song for summer. I think this is closer to sour than metallic. Fans called it sweet-and-sour metallic, and I think that's great.
Opening a new chapter with this album, aespa said, If we have shown aespa's unique universe and musical color so far, I hope you think of this as an album that has expanded one step further. You will feel a more solid message and a new direction., adding, I hope fans feel that aespa has opened a new door when they listen to this album.
As part of the album promotion, aespa is holding large-scale pop-up stores around Yeouido and Banpo Hangang Park, landmarks of Seoul. Karina expressed excitement, saying, For me it felt unreal. Our universe moves between reality and virtuality, and holding pop-ups in places connected to everyday life made it feel dreamlike. I thought it would be easy for fans to visit, and I hope many people come and take a lot of our lemon energy.
Finally, as the goal for this promotion, aespa said, Rather than insisting we must achieve something, to be honest I would be very happy if it does better than the first full-length album. But I hope many people gain energy from our songs. Because the message is so good, calling the trials that befall you lemons and turning them into tasty lemonade is our motto, so the goal is that many people gain energy from our songs.
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