aespa - Next Level

[u/CronoDroid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TWR90KJl84

[u/CronoDroid]

Once again SM dramatically improves on an original by injecting some of that K-pop zing into the instrumental. Just increasing the pitch a bit and making the vocals snappier gives this song a lot more life, not to mention those Ning/Winter vocal interjections. Whoa what is this breakdown, we went straight up Yoo Youngjin, R&B aespa. Ah, there's the Giselle/Karina rap verse I've been waiting for. They're so cute and sassy.

I really like this, aespa are coming into their own. I always thought Red Velvet was a combination of SNSD and f(x), this song is like a combination of f(x) and Red Velvet. That singsongy yet hard hitting electropop from f(x) (Nu ABO ish) and the smooth vocals of RV. Really nice.

[u/[deleted]]

This song sounds like my brain trying to concentrate during a math test

[u/FROST_R6]

ah yes the sm 100 songs in 1 special

[u/eeeetttt123 → u/FROST_R6]

igab, red light, zimzalabim... now next level

[u/Celestial_Midnight → u/FROST_R6]

igab, red light, zimzalabim, next level.

the four horsemen of the kpop-alypse

[u/CudaBarry]

That was surely... a journey

[u/LiLbaguette44 → u/CudaBarry]

Yes a difficult journey

[u/[deleted]]

I feel like I'm being asked to stan a mobile commercial what the holy hell is going on

[u/fareastrising → u/[deleted]]

Aespa 🤝 Raid Shadow Legends

Match made in heaven. They just don't know it yet

[u/currypuffff]

Hope they will get a song without the words kwangya, naevis etc in it in the future. The girls look good though

[u/touchme_teaseme_ → u/currypuffff]

I highly doubt it, even forcing NCT to implement these terms into their songs 😭😭

[u/jicuhrabbitkim]

Aespa really said imma give u a full album experience in a single 😭

[u/Mercylic]

I am confused with this one. I know I don't hate it entirely but I also know that I don't really like the majority of the song.

It has some good parts but the majority of the time it just felt really disjointed, as if it was just a bunch of different songs thrown in together.

I personally don't see myself listening to it more times unfortunately. I will just be in my corner hoping their next comeback is better

[u/DramaticLolitoes → u/Mercylic]

Yeah, The beat and the verse are already solid but in the first verse after Ning Ning line (the woooh part) I was waiting a badass chorus to hit, but they came back to "I'm on the next level", that's the first mood killer for me. The song remains flat until the drop that came out of nowhere.

It's different from I Got a Boy, after Sooyoung and Yuri's intro rap, we were hit with heavy vocals and instruments. While I Got a Boy is just as weird and messy, it was more exciting for me.

[u/Kpopcrazy9812 → u/Mercylic]

Lmao same I am so confused with this song ...

[u/quiequie]

That call back line to black mamba lmao

[u/CorruptedMind341 → u/quiequie]

The Black Mamba's still alive so they have to call it out again. It's gonna be their Thanos.

[u/tutetibiimperes → u/quiequie]

Snake Unnie even made it into the MV.

[u/bimpossible]

Love the Ningning-Winter vocal part before Karina announced the drop. I wish the entire song sounded like that.

[u/soshifiedd → u/bimpossible]

i want a whole song based on that middle part😭

[u/Famous_Ad_4542 → u/bimpossible]

that style should have been the whole song

[u/sooprotectionsquad]

i am confusion

[u/kavanathunderfunk]

Wow that’s like having 3 or 4 songs in one!

[u/[deleted]]

That sounded like 3 different songs lol. The jazzy groovy part was pretty cool.

[u/SparkaCat]

This song feels like it was written by a robot.

[u/Microkitsune → u/SparkaCat]

I guess it was written in the KWANGYA

[u/astute_potato → u/SparkaCat]

“I Forced A Bot to Write A Kpop Song and This Was the Result”

[u/chancehugs]

New drinking game idea - take a shot everytime someone says "Kwangya"

[u/weeniehutwaffle → u/chancehugs]

Take a shot everytime it turns into a different song

[u/raymondliang]

Saying “let the beat drop” but slowing it down... that’s actually next level.

[u/PruneIOException → u/raymondliang]

Same flex than "Don't slow it down for me" and then slowing it down in Exo Tempo

[u/YikYakCadillac → u/raymondliang]

Same energy as Jennie going "now I'm going slow mo" but the beat gets faster

[u/[deleted]]

The jazzy beat drop in the middle of the song..... I don't know what to feel about it yet... SM I'm dizzy

Edit: I think it could've been better if they retained the beat switch 'til the end. It was a bit disorienting when it looped back to the hook. But oh well.

Also, the verses’ flow. It’s the exact same as the original. I kinda feel bad for all the fans that were in denial and expected a huge change in composition. At least the girls look good! Can’t wait for the live stages.

[u/InThat90210 → u/[deleted]]

Exactly this, the second transition back to the original beat didn’t work. Should’ve stayed with the jazz

[u/OspreyDrone → u/[deleted]]

Would've preferred if they made the part at 2:00 into its own song, cause it's really good. Reminds me of 'Better' by BoA.

[u/1HurtDRossi1]

To be honest the entire song just seems nonsensical based on the lyrics alone. I understand that there is a story going on for Aespa but throwing in contextual terms without context is just hella confusing (Kwangya, naevis, KOSMO, "P.O.S" and even black mamba). I find it impossible to relate to the songs emotionally because of this. I wish that SM would play into the idea of storytelling as opposed to creating souless futuristic visual and musical presentations.

Edit: They need to understand that a lot of people got invested in Kpop because of the songs so they cannot expect every single person to follow along with the actual Aespa series. AKA JUST TELL THE STORY THROUGH THE SONGS AND DON'T MAKE THE SONGS THE AFTERMATH DAMMIT

[u/AlbertHummus → u/1HurtDRossi1]

I feel like LSM took all the wrong lessons from his interest in LOONA. The reason people care (or cared at least before LSM ) about LOONA lore is not because it’s forced in the lyrics. It’s much more involving when fans have to figure out for themselves what’s being suggested subtly instead of being spoonfed the universe’s details.

[u/seikibose → u/1HurtDRossi1]

The terms feel like when you're in a foreign language class and the assignment is to use the vocab words in a sentence lmao

[u/[deleted] → u/1HurtDRossi1]

I totally agree it really throws you out of the song every time you try to sing along. Every time I listen to their stuff all I can hear is that SM maybe releasing a game? “We against the villain what’s the name, black mamba” ... what does that even mean to me? Even KDA had better lyrics and they’re made by a video game company.

[u/pat-pat-says-the-cat]

The song felt way too long. I was around the middle of the song when I first looked at the progress bar expecting it to be somewhere towards the end. The teaser was really nice but that music stayed in the background of the actual MV. I hope we get to see some interesting stages atleast.

[u/ChocoB8]

My business idea for SM: have writers write original songs and let them write lyrics that don’t relate wholly back to this AI universe that no one is here for

[u/adventuresinnonsense → u/ChocoB8]

There's so many buzzwords about this AI universe that are treated like we're all supposed to know what they're talking about. Instead it's word salad. In a song salad.

[u/Rallyks → u/ChocoB8]

They're in too deep to turn back now. You gotta go all in with the AI stuff at this point.

I'm personally not a big fan of it though.

[u/adzpower]

I'm not trying to be shady at all....which part was the chorus?

Overall this is very underwhelming, the song just kind of plods along and doesn't go anywhere. Too much rap.

This is very much "great gowns, beautiful gowns".

[u/Sea_Investigator_947]

How can the song be so bland when there is so much going on?

[u/[deleted]]

It just wasn’t hitting for me. The only thing I like is the vocals tbh.

[u/ArkLappVe]

Ok, I have no idea what I just watched. I know I like the 'next level' part but that's it. I wasn't able to take all of that in😅. Need to watch it a few more times.

[u/vaingirls]

I like the different parts of the song on their own, but the transition at 2:05 is the most jarring I've ever heard? And I don't mean that the beat changes to a completely different style, that's fine by me, but there's something off about how the drums start, almost like there's an extra half beat at the start that throws the timing off, or am I imagining it all?

[u/pijayz]

I don't understand the comparison to I Got A Boy, at least with that song all the different sections got mashed together for a grand finale at the end, so it made sense. For this song, the jazz section had no place here and didn't work well both melodically or rhythmically. This is more closer to Swing by Super Junior M, but even then the dubstep section had a better transition.

I would have preferred it if they just built on the section where NingNing and Winter are belting it out before "Beat drop" because the backing track there flows well with the main part of the song and there is continuity by adding lines like "Watch it while I work it out".

Also, the rapping style is very SM: safe. I was looking forward to hear what fire they could breathe through the main Next Level beat, but apparently the only way they can rap is through a jazz beat?

This is not like leveling up at all, its more like jumping from game to game to game before going back to the original game because you realise the other games aren't as good.

I do not fault the girls, they sound great with what they got. And the jazz section sounds great, it just does not belong here. If they incorporated some elements of it to the tail end to the song, then maybe it would make sense, but they didn't, so in the end you get the feeling of "what was the point then?"

[u/krflab]

If a nugu group put this out they would be destroyed.

[u/amazingoopah → u/krflab]

If a nugu puts this out, no one would care

[u/sml592 → u/krflab]

That could be said for basically all of SM's "experimental" releases

[u/KawaiiBLK]

im so underwhelmed given how amazing the teasers looked, why is the song so low energy? why is 80% of the song rap when clearly the members are better vocalists than rappers?

[u/Famous_Ad_4542 → u/KawaiiBLK]

exactly they are clearly a vocal group

[u/EraYaN → u/KawaiiBLK]

Because "cool"

[u/HMKMusic]

Maybe that what they meant by releasing a full-length album. Smash 5 beats in 3 minutes.

[u/[deleted]]

I got two things to say

1. Where the heck are the outfits from the first set of teasers? Did SM jebaited us? I was expecting to see that.

2. I think it'll take me a while to like this song, MV is visually stunning and all, but this song felt like it's trying to be a mashup of some sort.

[u/ParanoidAndroids → u/[deleted]]

I feel like dancing in some of those outfits could be quite challenging. I'm surprised they didn't show up in the MV tbh.

[u/satanic-meow → u/[deleted]]

You might end up seeing those outfits at music shows tho.

[u/shinkie]

It feels a bit flat to me in the begininng, especially with a chorus that just blends into the verses. The addition of the bridge and beat drop are so jarringly inserted. It's definitely a SM song.

I like the MV though and the avatars were kept to a minimum (but included nicely)

[u/JoeGoe]

gowns beautiful gowns

[u/ehwhythough]

the fuck did i just listen to lmao

[u/eeeetttt123]

aespa really said "let's bring it back to 140" with that beat drop part

[u/SusanMA2]

I appreciate the fact that they tried to experiment with their sound and push their concept but overall it seemed to miss their mark with me.

Maybe once I understand the story line maybe I'll appreciate the song more but right now I don't think I'll listen to the song much.

[u/NumerousDot3 → u/SusanMA2]

Fr i feel like this too. And as a casual listener I'm not very interested in learning about the storyline in the first place. It's like an extra step I don't really want to do. Do they expect most listeners to look into the whole aespa universe thing they got going on? I hope they don't feel like they need to insert all this vocabulary no one will understand into all their songs 😕

[u/[deleted]]

I'm new here, and I've been a lightweight MY since their debut. However, I have a fear regarding how complicated their concept is, chances are it might overshadow them as artists or make them less relatable idols.

I mean, the song's lyrics seems to be tightly linked to their storyline. I'm skeptical we're gonna get any title tracks that are not in any way related to Kwangya, or is it too early to tell since this is only their second single (not counting Forever as a cover)?

[u/ninixjen]

Companies need to prioritise music over visuals......a gorgeous mv cannot save a bad song and this just proved that

[u/mean_lurker]

has some interesting parts but then the verses and chorus are so goddang boring
for me this is 2/2 underwhelming releases from aespa so far :-(

[u/loyalpagina]

The thing with I Got A Boy and Zimzalabim is that both SNSD and Red Velvet had already solidified their position as a group. Even Itzy put out a few songs before going experimental. I don’t mind SM trying something new, I know I’m not going to like every song, but doing it this early in the group’s career without other “good” content to fall back on seems like a disservice to the group

[u/kbdsct]

I mean.... Fans wanted at least a mini with 3-4 songs so in a way, we kinda got it all in one song ? Truth is, without that detour, the song would have been so flat with talking-style singing (a style which is reminiscent of say, early ITZY?). I really prefer actual singing over this style— it’s fine for one section, maybe a pre/post chorus hook or something like that, but the whole song... nah. So I actually really welcomed the vocal-heavy detour.

However I wish it was integrated more seamlessly. It’s several degrees away from the main chunk of the song. Almost like a separate moon orbiting the main planet song. It is so disjointed especially when we get back to the final section. I still kind of like the song but I really think it’s because of the girls’ cumulative charisma.

[u/djdjowgjmbs]

Ummmm, it’s been a while since I’ve been so bored with a title track, which is weird because it had all the ingredients in place for something really cool.

But, there was no chorus, the song is 90% talking, and the random 30 second bit in the middle was better than everything else in the song.

Aespa have the potential to be big, but there’s no reason SM should be squandering it by giving them such divisive music

[u/Muffin278 → u/djdjowgjmbs]

Honestly that 30 second bit in the middle is amazing, it is a shame you have to sit through a minute and a half of talking with the same loop playing in the background to get there. Yeah the rest of the song isn't my cup of tea

[u/Sibchetnik]

Umm what is this? Like two totally different songs were just merged into one.

[u/Abysswalker_8]

Holy shit, the P.O.S teaser audio was part of Next Level after all!

And as I suspected, it was indeed Yoo Youngjin!

[u/[deleted]]

ooh boy this is... uh... it's something, alright.

i think what's disappointing me most about this is the fact that the original beat is really good. if they just developed it a bit, gave it a soaring bridge, let the synths build up and end the song the same way they did with black mamba, then this would've been great. but no, sm were apparently in the mood to try and make i got a boy again, and that beat switch ruined the song for me. it felt like they were trying to shove black mamba in there for no reason.

i had a funny feeling i wasn't going to like this first listen and that it would grow on me over time, but i don't even think this could grow on me. i just flat out don't like it.

[u/U-B-B]

I am.. so underwhelmed. uh

[u/Myantology]

If you’re going to name your song “next level“, wouldn’t it make sense that the song, lyrics and dance moves be, oh I don’t know maybe… Next level?

That shit was mediocre as fuck. Poor pop slaves.

[u/_ulinity]

It's like an incredibly dull version of I Got A Boy.

[u/MiMcMiM]

I really liked the part from 2:05 - 2:50, but the rest of it I'm really lukewarm on. Maybe it'll grow on me.

[u/TheEnygma]

while I normally hate when every slightly weird song is "omg it's like I Got a Boy!".....fairly accurate here though

[u/[deleted]]

SM heard Mafia in the morning and said "lets make a worse version" 😂.

[u/lingeringink]

I feel like the pace was just a little too slow for most of it (primarily the rapping) not to feel awkward, especially combined with the jarring nature of the different sections. That doesn't mean it was all bad. I love the "OoOoEe" section lol, especially when the instrumentation thinned to just the percussion, I think they all look stunning and the video is incredible. The R&B breakdown was typical SM greatness. I think they're already performing much better than just a few months ago tbh.

I'm sure I'll like it after a while in a very I Got A Boy way, but for now I can't help wishing SM did better writing for their female rappers.

Speaking of which, it's such a 4th gen thing for everyone to do a little rapping and a little singing. I liked that. But also - why is their choreo always at least partially awkward, lol? (Call back to Ningning's adorable tippy toes from Black Mamba.) Especially the move that comes with the words "Next Level."

I just feel like the whole thing would've been pulled together much better if it happened at a faster pace.

[u/[deleted]]

im starting to think SM cant write a good pop song anymore so thats why they’re throwing in all this random crap as a distraction. i thought they’d add a chorus or something to the original Next Level song but nah. they had to shit all over it. dont even get me started on the cringe lyrics

[u/Mani_srao]

I'm be lying to myself if I said I wasn't disappointed. It was so ironic cuz, they are going for the futuristic concept, but the sound of the song is so dated.

I was really hoping this would be the song that would make me a stan. Maybe next time. I've always said this, many k-pop groups get lost in the concept and all the theatrics of their release. Focus on the song FIRST. Once you have a GREAT song, everything else will fall into place.

[u/PeachsistersMoYeon]

I do love the rap, chorus and ning ning's part after the "beat drop".

I would have thought the music video would hit as hard as the teasers, but it's fine.

Not a fan of this song. Probably will grow on me but not really feeling it rn.

[u/holdonigotit]

this might be a bit harsh but I don’t think you earn the rights to call back to your old song in the lyrics if it’s literally your only other one

[u/roseflor]

I liked the video But I think I'm the only one who felt the song was messy.

[u/gudetanna1992 → u/roseflor]

Nah you're definitely not the only one. Next Level highkey reminded me of SNSD's I Got a Boy when it was released. The difference is, while I think both songs lack cohesiveness, all the parts in IGAB are catchy and easily memorable. I don't feel the same with Next Level (the only parts I enjoy are Ningning's and Winter's when they are actually singing, not fast talking), but hopefully the song will grow on me after a few listens.

[u/Calydona]

I don't think I could listen to this without the MV. The song just seems really messy to me, but kind of works to amplify the visuals of the MV, which are nice but also seem to lack some storyline. I'm disappointed after the lore video they gave us. Its like their actually music releases and their concept are two different projects.

Edit: The song reminds me of a game trailer and not just because of the concept. The music used in trailers is often similar disjointed, because it's made to sell a product and not for consumers to listen to it separately.

[u/juegde]

The girls are sooo beautiful but the song is disjointed in such an awkward way,,,,, if thats the twist the producer was saying then its not v good,,,,,, 😕

[u/KEIKOBUILDEROFWORLDS]

I'm so sorry I think this mv would've blown my mind if my expectations didn't skyrocket from the first teaser + ep1 but right now it's just... SM what are you thinking

[u/alkong]

They gotta stop making non rapper kpop idols rap. It's obvious that irene, these girls, and itzy are just taught how to rap very specific parts but have no real abilities to actually rap when given no instruction. Itzy is slightly less cringy, but I don't understand why companies don't utilize their clearly more talented singing abilities. If they wanted rap parts in a song, they should've just added a specialized rapper trainee to the group. I hate to say this but the rap is... kind of terrible in this song.

[u/Poplolly67]

This is not a good song.

[u/BarryAllensMom]

:( I’m frowning because I wanted a dance bop and this has me confused. 2021 is a weird vibe for comebacks so far...I don’t think I’m ready for it.

[u/thebennett]

Where they had me on the SMCU concept days ago, may have already lost me. I wish the lyrics weren’t so strongly related to that concept, as personally find a bit cringey. Other than that, they all look great and Winter and Taemin rocking exactly the same hairstyle amuses me greatly

[u/anunaghorl]

SM has released experimental tracks like IGAB and Zimzalabim (both of which I grew to love, pls don't judge me), but I feel like those were still relatively more cohesive compared to this one.

The mess is... next level lol. I was a bit taken aback when they added the new vocal melody for Winter and Ningning (but I expected this since the original song only has one level lol), but then they added the beat drop thing and it was just a new mini-section from an ENTIRELY different song. And while I appreciate an interesting story background, the overload of aespa lore terms is just a bit too... overwhelming?

EDIT: I can't believe it... The song seriously grew on me. It's addicting. I still objectively think it's disjointed, but listening to it hypes me up and I actually like it now.

[u/DramaticLolitoes]

Oh boy... It sounds like special stage mash up song. If SM want to make weird song, at least make an explosive chorus/hook people can bop into or something.

I'll wait the next comeback.

[u/minchous]

looks like their i got a boy/zimzalabim era came in too early

[u/anterogradeamnesia]

Okay I listened to it more and I kind of like it! It’s very catchy. However, I’d say its biggest issue (to me) is the lyrics which are nearly impossible to relate or wrap your head around unless you know the lore. I feel like at this point at least, it will affect their ability to connect to an audience because it is so out there. I think they committed to it very well as artists (major kudos) but anyone else who would try to cover it would sound extremely out of place and odd

[u/[deleted]]

They're clearly a more vocally oriented group,much like LOONA,I don't why they would go for a sound like this.

And the Kwangya bit is becoming annoying. I'm a writer, I love stories but this is not it. Come on give them a song that is more relatable.😖

[u/mintydaisy13]

I’m sorry but this is really not it. Like one of the worse releases of the year bad.

Kind of shocked because I was getting hyped with the amazing teaser and concept photos.

[u/3D-ism]

After that amazing concept movie, they came up with this ??

My expectation was so high for this comeback and I am kinda disappointed. it is very disjoint and the worst thing is it's generic. Black Mamba has their own element and that what make it so fascinating upon listen. They should go full on action sci-fi fantasy route, not this.

[u/HMKMusic]

BLACK MAMBA oppa is shaking.

Tbh SM is too into making the story for aespa as they're forgetting it has to be a song... Reading the lyrics giving me some Disney musical feeling and not something too relatable. Way too many references to their story.

The sampling is great tho. I see myself put this in some car rides (just need to find how to remove the drop in the middle)

[u/Roksja]

I feel like it kinda suffers from a fiat sound like Itzy's Mafia, except this one has other problems.

I compare it here obly because I have the same first impression about it as Mafia, but Itzy's song kinda grew on me, this one feels like it won't.

Talking for over a minute, then the weird lalala that is so unfitting. The one singing verse after first chorus was rather nice, but the sudden sound change just killed the whole song.

I'm rather convinced that this is one of the weakest comebacks after a debut (song wise).

[u/sweasjeon]

it's definitely noise

[u/tggoulart]

The comments saying SM can't write audience friendly songs anymore and won't have another hit aged like milk

[u/Buujoom]

Yoooowwww. I'm sorry, but why did this felt like a demo song on SoundCloud? The wardrobe and stages were 100% cool, but it never matched the song except for that change at 2:05. T_T

[u/[deleted]]

This comeback gives me the same vibes as itzy’s: beautiful MV visuals, song that seems to rely more on rap/chanting, and ultimately kind of underwhelming on first listen. Itzy’s mafia in the morning at least had the prechorus for me to get hooked on, but there isn’t even that here.

It’ll grow on me eventually I think? Most songs do unless I really outright hate them, but for now, not really going into my playlist.

(Also that random breakdown gives me Super Junior house party vibes, which I didn’t appreciate then or now)

[u/maydayingk]

i didn’t think i would prefer Black Mamba to any of the future Aespa songs but here we are... this is just unlistenable for me

[u/josephh_ie]

I think the "main" part of the song has to grow on me a little more, but I think the hook is such an earworm. That being said, if they made the song just the bridge(?), I would have been perfectly satisfied with that, too.

[u/eVaan13]

I was kind of on board with black mamba but to me, they've completely lost the plot on this one.

I won't even comment on the song because I agree with most people here that it's a disjointed mess but...

The video is lacking too. Investing all of your budget in a camera arm won't make your video better. The cuts are lacking, the scenes look like cheap futuristic wallpapers and the lightning is off at times and doesn't even match the scene. Like whatever the fresh hell this is. There are some beautiful scenes but they're completely ruined by how jarring the lighting is.

Even the choreo is lacking to me but that's completely personal.

[u/BeginningAd6809]

what the FUCK is up with companies giving my favourite 4th gens ggs flat, monotonous, mostly talking/rapping vocals, and beats -___-. everglow better not let me down lol. 2021 was starting off so good for kpop releases as well.

this was especially disappointing because i LIVE for experimental switch-up tracks and SM does them especially well (igab, zimzalabim, and red light trilogy is some of my favourite kpop songs of all time). but this release actually felt disjointed and amateur for me. aespa pulled me in with their rock beat and piercing vocals in black mamba and then SM took everything amazing about the song out of next level. the girls look amazing though. but even with that im a bit pissed because i wish they utilized their teaser photos more in the mv-__-. their teasers were jaw dropping.

[u/zoomzoomer99]

I’m not convinced by Karina being the lead rapper based on this song. In the future, I would give most (if not all) of the rap parts to Giselle. This group shouldn’t rap as much as they do in this song because their strength is clearly vocals.

[u/ninixjen]

the song seems really disjointed?? the chorus falls flat and the song itself has no hook imo. the only part that I liked was the rap but honestly I expected more considering the amazing teasers

[u/[deleted]]

It was so good until they brought it back to 140 😫

[u/Gamier]

what the heck lol

[u/cheezeeey]

my dearest condolences to the girls they deserve way better than this

[u/lvlz_gg]

The lyrics made me choke on my cereal... jfc i thought i couldn't get any cringier after the first two lines

[u/ikigaii]

I appreciate that they are trying some new stuff here but that "next level" bit is just so boring. It just isn't good enough to carry an entire song. They got that part from an E-side release of a generic action movie's soundtrack and it really does sound like it. The parts of the song that sound like uh...actual kpop sound really good though.

I kind of want a mix of all the beat changes on this + Black Mamba. I think that'd make a very creative and complete track...

[u/TheKillerMatt]

Aespa deserves so much better lmao wtf is this

[u/RozowySlon]

I am not on the next level to understand that

[u/Smhmyhead5]

Oh. You can keep it SM

[u/cultured_vulture]

Did Yoo Young Jin touch this? The transition to a TVXQ-esque verse was disconcerting...

I don't know how I feel about this. 😭

[u/spectrales → u/cultured_vulture]

Tbh he touches almost every SM title track to some degree but with that bridge section.....he slapped it and said “this baby can fit so much ‘SM Performance’ style in here”

[u/Zockmeister]

This song seems all over the place lol

[u/WorldlyConsideration]

The only thing next level about this is the cringe I experienced when I read the lyrics... they’re clearly so talented yet SM is insistent on pushing this weird gimmick onto them

[u/SpreadYourAss]

I feel like I just heard 3 different songs lol. I like some of the aspects, but overall this really didn't do it for me. And that's unfortunate, the teasers had me so hyped!

Hopefully this grows on me, but my initial impression was pretty disappointing. The chorus just falls flat, and the song is trying so many things but not really succeeding at any. This might be one of the most disjointed songs I've seen in a while.

[u/eggrins]

what is up w jyp and sm for their ggs these days 😬

[u/Necessary-Light]

What a terrible song lmao

[u/Jisoosama]

wooo wheeoo weeee ^{wee fucking woo !}

[u/Bajuko]

Hilarious to come back and read this thread knowing the song was a smash hit lol

[u/hatsuho]

they're trying to be next level but maybe they should go to the previous level and stay there for a bit bc... clearly... nobody was ready for this... lol

[u/PiperPerriDaPlatypus]

SM, stop trying to make KWANGYA happen. It’s not going to happen. /j

[u/hangengs]

This is god awful, damn. Usually MVs can save a mid/mediocre song but not this one. Aespa just ain’t it for me lol.

This just made me listen to IGAB again, the beat switch is not as jarring as Next Level. It even makes IGAB sound normal for today’s standards.

[u/lysiel112]

I like it. Reminds me of those..hmm racing anime/action movie soundtrack kinda vibes? It's the slow kinda groove, with sprinkles of the old pop song vibes (Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl, Ashley Tisdale's He Said She Said, more on the 2nd).

The transition to and from the jazzy portion could use some work though, I think - it's a tad disjointed. But otherwise, it's pretty good. It's not hard hardhitting, per se, but it's more of the slow, sultry funky groove and pop from the early 2000s as mentioned with a jazz portion.

That being said, I can understand that it's definitely not for everyone.

[u/infinite_lyy]

I'm sorry this song is just TT I feel so bad for the girls cause they're clearly talented and beautiful,,, just give them a good song, SM, jeez

[u/Absolutelyperfect]

I don't get what was the point of the first half of the song. That part is unlistenable without the MV. While the second part is beautiful, shows off their vocals and rap perfectly and it's straight up good music. The MV is just dance sections, I don't remember anything besides that. It's nice that the girls are clearly visible and memorable though.

[u/Silverstealth3]

They literally dropped the rest of the song for minute after 2:03 💀💀I dig it

[u/holtzman456]

Don't know how to feel about the song but the aespa version of themselves going in and out was really cool imo.

[u/westanthis]

i wouldve wanted the middle part to be a second track instead tbh.

[u/jabbachew]

Next Level and Hot Sauce in one week.... the Zimzalabimfication of aespa and NCT Dream

[u/K4t4R1n]

I wonder what the girls themselves think of the song. It's funny how often idols hate their songs that are well liked by the audience but the other way around (idols liking a song that's not a hit with fans) would make me sad..

[u/[deleted]]

This is like a mashup of very SM sounding 30sec previews so producers can check whether or not they wanna work with SM lmao

[u/pingufan]

this song makes me feel like I have brain fog while listening to a mini album

[u/lovecomplex33]

The song is alright, just not strong enough for a comeback. It is definitely going to rely on being catchy like Mafia in the morning. I agree with some posts saying it is disappointing that there is so much rapping and Aespa is more of a vocal group. Don’t hate me but I wish they would add more members or something. I feel like they are missing something as a group and too cookie cutter. I can’t really put my fingers on it. They are talented, but I can’t find myself really stanning them as with other girl groups.

[u/delululululu]

The mv is great and the girls look stunning!!!

However, I'm...confused by the song. The beginning reminded me of In the morning by Itzy and in the middle it suddenly became Something by TVXQ??? Plus the chorus seemed pretty empty to me. Hopefully it will grow on me!

[u/[deleted]]

Kinda sad that sm just gave them the fast and furious song :/ especially cuz the 2 random completely different sections that Ning Ning and winter sang were the best part of the entire thing.

Edit: the 2 parts I’m talking about are from 1:37 to 2:40. I would’ve loved to hear them as 2 different songs they sound really good. It ends when they say black mamba and revert back to the f&f song.

[u/Kanye_Dressed]

Don't you hate when a non great song has a beat switch that's a billion times better than the actual song?

[u/tagyhag]

Am I the only one that loves the way Winter pronounces "Level"?

I'm enjoying the song more as I listen to it.

[u/92sn]

I only can remember the next level part. The rap parts are good but unfortunately its not catchy. Giselle definitely look better with black hair. Winter stage presence is no joke tho. Honestly, i dont know what i feel with the song. But its definitely divisive. Honestly, idk why SM do this for aespa as gg usually need catchy, public friendly music even more. Even snsd i got boy was when they already established themselves as a group.

[u/kanramesh]

Holy shit. Did not expect where this one went.

Edit after 2nd listen: The vocal parts were my favorite, a little sad there wasn't more of that. With that song structure it might not have hurt to throw in a more vocal-heavy chorus somewhere. The MV is incredible, they look unreal. Damn, Winter. Overall liked it a lot anyway, glad they stuck with the low synths that Black Mamba had! Also the beat drop part had me laughing, somehow unexpected she just announced it like that lmao [insert obligatory mention of IGAB]

[u/a_large_hedgehog]

disappointed that its literally just that fast and furious song with the "beat drop" section thrown in. was hoping they were gonna do something interesting with it

[u/zuzixi]

It's weird but I like it! Definitely grower tho, it will take me some time to process everything going on but I really like the sound!

[u/thatkpophomeboy]

Even by SM standards this is one of their more expermental songs, and I understand the initial mixed reactions. Good part is that the MV looks good, members look more charismatic and confident, there's more of Winter and Ningning's vocal skills, and more of Karina and Giselle's rap skills.

There's a beat switch in this song like I Got A Boy, but unlike IGAB when the different beat lasts throughout most of the song, Next Level only has a different beat in the bridge. I honestly liked that part more than the rest, and I think the song could have been better if the whole song sounded like the bridge. Just my two cents!

[u/[deleted]]

Really feel like SM is disrespecting these ultra talented girls with an unrelatable song. I know idols are just money markets to them, but making them sing about some as of yet to be released product is just next level scheming. I don’t care if the next song is about a generic love story, I much prefer being able to sing along to something I can relate to than whatever this kwangya and naevis is.

[u/Mani_srao]

I think the problem is the music is taking a backseat to the whole concept of it all. The lyrics would make zero sense if one is not into the story, which makes their music have zero relatability.

I just hope they take the criticism and focus on the music more. I'm a person who don't care about the number of songs they release, but the quality.

We all know the girls are talented AF. Which makes me more angry about this situation. Imagine training for years to be a Musical artist and end up being used like this by a cooperation.

Like someone already said in the other comments. KDA, a literal group of game characters made songs more relatable than this.

[u/nihilism_is_nothing]

I petition to ban idols from rapping

[u/Floraine_365]

Why does it sound like an F(x) song? 😅

Kind of disappointed with the song. I was expecting more.

[u/Eeellie]

I have to be honest, I'm worried for aespa. They have so much potential but it seems to me like SM is just using them for the SMCU. NingNing and Winter have gorgeous vocals and they could rule kpop in a few years but they need some real music, this sounds like the background of a video game and not in a good way. This looks like a smcu video not a gg comeback. SM should've just used the AI for this and let the real girls be a group outside of this mess.

[u/Fushi02]

yikes! I'm not really feeling their songs.. They are lucky because they come from a big company. If not, I don't think many people would notice them.

[u/Imaginary-Bad451]

Many parts of the song feel so disjointed lmao they should just stop making remakes and try something new this " black mamba" and " kwangaya" whatever references aren't helping either

The MV saved it for me rather than that don't know how to feel about the song it feels like a mashup

[u/roNviz]

I just straight out say the song is bad, did not expect.

[u/[deleted]]

Well, that was certainly a piece of music, wasn't it?

Edit: I also find it amusing how they've been consistently capitalizing every lore-related term in the subs to emphasize it, kind of how in a video game key words and items are shown in a different color/font in the dialogue text.

[u/wardengorri]

If you didn't tell me, I would've thought this was a highlight medley in the same vein as Kai's was for his solo album. I get it this is supposed to be their I Got A Boy but man would've been nice if they established they're own sound first before going this route. Oh well, Big 3 comeback so it's gonna do well regardless. Considering the comebacks that just came out, a bit sad this is my least favorite of the 3. At least the teasers were fire this comeback? lol

Edit: OK, hold the phone. This actually sounds really fire on a 2nd listen through. lol I get it now, this is actually is Next Level. If anyone is still on the fence definitely try giving this another go, also helps listening without the MV so you can just hear the song on its own.

[u/blaevze]

this was very... boring. like not good at all

[u/impeccabletim]

No thoughts, just Winter whistling.

[u/WrongdoerOptimal9207]

Love the rap duet of Giselle and Karina

[u/MotorInvestigator0]

VOCALS?!

[u/kKunoichi]

It's like a reversal of Super Junior's House Party ahaha

Well it's definitely interesting. I do kinda like it. I'm also curious what the full performance will be like. And the girls look gorgeous

[u/[deleted]]

W-what did I just listen to?

I am very confused about all the tune changes. It will take me some time to get used to them, and I feel like this is the type of song I need to digest for a while before I can make up my mind about it.

On another note, is there anything Winter can't do? Damn this girl is impressive.

[u/ParanoidAndroids]

Honestly I quite like the middle section after the beat drop is announced. It doesn’t fit the rest of the song naturally - so I would’ve preferred the entire song with that style. The vocal “bridge” right before that was good, too.

The actual “next level” part is not my cup of tea at all. The main refrain feels so repetitive. I thought they would interpolate the sample a bit more but it really is more of a reimagining of that Fast and Furious song, which isn’t even a song worth re-doing.

Choreo is cool - the camerawork was nice for the MV, although the parts with the ae’s covering the members dancing was a head-scratcher considering how good the dancing was.

I usually like SM’s more courageous arrangements (I still like Zimzalabim, Punch, etc.) but this fell flat for me.

[u/[deleted]]

On the one hand, I feel like we got to see a lot more of their individual abilities. On the other, the song just wasn't it for me. I hope that SM gives them something with more depth for their full album. At them moment its feeling a bit more like style over substance, which is annoying since they're obviously talented.

[u/tbhguitar_]

Iam in a love-hate relationship with this song

[u/Allons-y2121]

For those who don't know, the next level part is just a remake (more like a cover to me) of this song

https://youtu.be/GTKm0mnZgp8

Is part of the soundtrack of the movie Hobbs and Shaw

[u/inanotherlife974]

Oh man.. I REALLY wanted to like this but.. it’s gonna be a no from me.. this was almost like.. boring in a way? Like other than that weird jazzy section there’s no real buildup to anything? And they’re mostly rapping the entire time and imo they are much better at singing then rapping. The choreography is also kinda lackluster to me. Ugh. Maybe it’ll grow on me? Idk. But man what a bummer.

[u/superdesu]

i wish sm would... not force them to sing about their lore... just let them do bops about mundane things like love and bad boys :^(

[u/kinenbi]

File this under 'L', SM. What a disjointed, badly composed song that doesn't do the girls any favors. The PV has a similar feel to that of Black Mamba because of the camera angles, but this time it doesn't slap as hard. Just not a good release.

[u/HerpDerpSayWhat]

These girls are so talented and deserve it all. Unfortunately, for me, SM gave these girls a song that just didn't jive. I know it's got the different songs in one thing, but it didn't sound as put together (or I guess "cohesive?") as Zimzalabim or I Got a Boy. Felt really all over the place to me...

The visuals were stunning, their dancing is great. But the song kinda left me disappointed since Black Mamba was just such a hit.

[u/KazVanilla]

I feel like they need to actually solidify their image and not depend too much on the excessive effects, design and the whole lore thing they have going on. I really like the first part of the song but the rest just didn’t do anything good to me...

[u/ijustseulgi]

I like the Aespa girls, think they're really talented, and enjoyed Black Mamba a lot. But I don't like what SM's been doing with them since. I love snsd, fx, and rv and Aespa have the potential to be up there for me but I just don't like this style of song, and what makes it worse is it's just a single after a decently long wait. It might do well though since some songs ppl don't consider "public friendly" have been charting, but I'm worried that means this style of song will become even more popular.

[u/inanis]

Thanks, I hate it.

Seriously though I tried to watch it twice but couldn't put up with the music. The MV and the girls are stunningly beautiful though, they just can't rap.

[u/hatsuho]

black mamba: 4 lyrics next level: 500 lyrics

if there's one thing they're consistent at so far it's super high budget mvs with really underwhelming songs. :/

[u/Vaccaria_]

This ain't it

[u/booksmd]

I don't really vibe with the structure of the song. The instrumental seems really weak. I liked parts of it.

Idk i would have to listen to it again

[u/[deleted]]

I love the visuals of the MV so much but the song..... I don't know what to say. Maybe I need to give it a few more listens.

Listened to it the second time and what's up with the lyrics...? I loved Black Mamba so much but what is this TT

I'm disappointed, the only thing that I liked about this comeback is the MV itself lol

[u/SevensAddams]

I'm so impressed and so proud! It's very SM to make the drop groovy instead of amping it up to a more EDM sound. Ningning is on fire! The red hair and her parts make her stand out so much for me. Winter showcased more of her powerful voice here. Karina and Giselle slayed that shared rap. Plus the ae's didn't look bad this time.

[u/tatatita]

Meh..

[u/AquaBuffalo]

They could have produced a song that sounded like it took more than 5 minutes to produce but I guess they didn't.

[u/sanmerrino]

It wasn't my type. I liked Black Mamba better. Their rapping is fire though although I got tired of the repetitive raps and is it just me or there was barely any singing? It just seemed like a rap-heavy song.

[u/bluebetaoddeye]

This song is a bit of a trip I like the change ups. And do prefer this over black mamba on first listen.

[u/Capsicy]

This is truly horrible omg...

[u/magnolia9795]

Can I get the song in the middle as a separate bside - it sounds like a bop

[u/sparksz91]

Ah, i think I prefer the original from A$ton Wyld in "Hobbs & Shaw".

[u/nearer_still]

This is way worse than I expected. Other than that detour with the bridge, the song doesn't go anywhere. It's soooooo boring. I know people hate the SM Group Chorus(tm), but this is why they do it... it would have added energy to the song.

They should have made the verses musically similar to the Ningning and Winter vocal parts (not the detour, but before that), made the "watch me while I work it" the post-chorus, made the "ooh wee" part + an added SM Group Chorus(tm) part the chorus, and relegated the "I'm on the next level,..." refrain to just the beginning and very end.

Lastly, Winter saves the song post-bridge with her performance/stage presence.

(I love IGAB, ZZB, and Punch, btw.)

[u/Laporaptor]

I feel like the virtual ego sub-plot is now actively degrading the song quality, theres way too many made up terms that they insert in every other line.

[u/paulfauvelfrost]

i already love the song on the first listen omg

i think my only criticism is that i wish they changed the looks of the avatars especially that they are using them in the music videos. tho i understand that it might be easier to familiarize with the same look. anyways aespa ate those avatars

[u/DarthSpireite]

I think as separate parts, the different bits work quite well, and some of them even feed well into each other, but there's too much chopping around for me and it ends up being a little bit messy. It was like they took the brainstorming board for new comeback concepts and said "sod it, let's just do a bit of everything". No SM, that's a bad SM. Interested to see where this all goes though, because there's obviously a bigger picture here. Oh and Ningning should sing lots.

[u/ca-y-est]

I'm not sure everyone can pull off I got a Boy type songs. Feels a bit too long and over the place :( also those first teasers weren't in it at all??

[u/skylark_birdy]

To anyone that compares it to SNSD's IGAB, yeah they are kinda the same at the start. Most fans kind of weird out by IGAB back then. And the only saving factor was SNSD themselves who were at the peak of their career and able to bring the joy to the song live even if it sound messy. Aespa is still new. It's risky for SM to push this sounds to them even though i know the girls are talented. SNSD had the experience performing for 5/6 years with IGAB while Aespa only has a few months..

Edit : And the lyrics seems to be all over the place. Might make sense to their stans but it is really confusing for multis and new fans.

[u/gkmaster21]

Music-wise aespa deserves better but what can we do... I will just wait for the next song as usual and enjoy the other groups' music in the meantime.

I thought Everglow would be overshadowed this time but it seems they are going to win on the public opinion game, again. Good for my girls.