K-Pop is a truly global phenomenon at the time of writing. Although BTS’s reign as a group came to a sad ending, there are plenty of other groups such as Blackpink and a mixture of other idol based groups out there who are frantically clamouring for the top spot. The four member girl group aespa is another one of such groups. Early hits, such as Next Level and Black Mamba took the music world, or at least the world of K-Pop, by storm. Their group name takes on a very Eastern and spiritual meaning, combining some English worded concepts that are deep and meaningful in a purely Korean way. Many may dismiss aespa’s music as sell-out K-Pop trash, but still, their music is worth hearing and very important regardless. Let’s take a listen to this mini album, their third, and fingers crossed that it will be a good listen.

Welcome To MY World (feat. naevis) launches into some decent singing, reverberated guitar and has one of the best recorded vocal performances by the group so far. There are some spoken and softly sung Korean lyrics here, and this is fantastic music to listen to, straight up. A thoroughly excellent and wonderful listen, this shows that aespa always had the ability to make great music from the beginning of their career. This tune launches into a postmodern digital ballad with guitars and sound effects, but the singing is absolutely wonderful here and is the standout point of this track. If you ever feel like hearing some decent girl power, this is it. A truly excellent song, there is a lovely string section and sound effects galore that sounds amazing. The presence of naevis as a guest makes perfect sense musically on this song, and this is a step in the right direction for aespa. K-Pop is a major South Korean export, and this does sound quite listenable and amazing as something from there. Great song, and very moving, in fact.

Spicy begins with some interesting beats, launching into a cyber ballad that is deep, groovy and awesome for K-Pop. The aespa girls sing wonderfully on this track, and although this is relatively contemporary music, it is danceable, Poppy and a well delivered tune that sounds like an instant Korean hit. Memorable and worth repeat listens, this is a fantastic song. Period. Although this is a studio based pseudo-EDM Pop effort, this is fantastic music for the postmodern era. Roll over The Spice Girls, this is an excellent listening experience. A great mixture of Korean, English and contemporary influences, this is one of the best songs released in 2023. Very catchy and enjoyable, put this onto your Spotify playlist now. It’s totally awesome, a great Electronic Pop tune.

Salty & Sweet begins with some loose electronic gurgles, multitracked and stereo panned vocals that are whispered, quickly entering into a somewhat weaker song that is still good, but obviously a lesser track. Still, this is a step in the correct direction for the group. The chorus is quite singalong and catchy, having said that. This is the album you need for that karaoke night with your Korean friends from abroad to blast out of the car. An excellent K-Pop music listen, through and through. The vocal performances are near perfect, not drenched in a huge amount of autotune like most postmodern artists. Some na-na-na’s are here in the second half that are joyful, and this tune is electrifying and great. A wonderful piece of short, sharp and accessible music that is worth blasting. Brilliant.

Thirsty begins with some ethereal Ariana Grande style textures, and launches into a very good Pop ballad with plenty of Korean being sung here. A really awesome and thriving tune, this is the K-Pop equivalent of thank u, next. It sounds tremendously great, just being a really awesome and fluid listen. There is a Rapped vocal part in the midsection, which is very uncharacteristic of these girls. Still, another very good song to sit back, listen to and have a drink with. Pleasant and loveable, this song and EP is full of musical surprises. This is likely aespa’s best EP yet, it is pretty, colourful and full of decent tunes. A really great listening experience, and thoroughly worth your time. Fine music, even if this song does sound a lot like Pop-Diva music.

I’m Unhappy begins with some distorted piano, soft singing and handclaps, launching into a fairly good song. Again, this is K-Pop central from the heart and Seoul of Korea (pun intended). aespa sound really excellent and impressive on this tune. The sounds, singing and production are really excellent. It’s not a particularly depressing song, just a colourful, pretty and creative piece that is consistent, a rarity in today’s music. This is the best of K-Pop today by a girl group and makes BTS look like yesterday’s music. There is a great keyboard style solo, followed by soft harmony singing. These girls can sing marvellously, even with all the production thrown at them. There is a lyrical twist towards the end, which is suspenseful. Neat song.

‘Til We Meet Again is the final song on this excellent EP. It begins with some xylophone styled sounds and more soft singing. It is a great song that one should hear if a loved one is going away for some time. An excellent, pleasant and beautiful listen, this is a lovely piece that emerges into a grand chorus with Disco styled strings and some other pretty sounds that are fantastic and crisp. All the same, if aespa continues to improve in the way that they do, they will easily replace many Western artists of today with their scope and influence. This song is really fantastic to listen to, although it is limited by some of its K-Pop musical rules. Still, a superb, gorgeous and excellent piece of music that sounds amazing. There is a key change in the second half, which sounds very natural and this song is extremely lovely and pretty. A great song overall, and this is a lesser known track from the EP. Fantastic.

This is one of the best K-Pop releases in recent times. It has a good array of interesting, consistent and variable music that will sound great in the years to come. Obviously, the masterminds behind aespa know how to make these girls, given that they are Pop idols, sound brilliant and make some excellent music to match. Should you listen to this EP? You bet. Many people need to hear this loveable and fine release today.

Superb and delightful.

9/10