Savage is the firstextended play by South Korean girl groupAespa. The EP was released bySM Entertainment on October 5, 2021, and is available in three versions—P.O.S, Synk Dive and Hallucination Quest. It contains six songs, including thelead single of the same name.
Primarily apop record with elements ofdance pop,hyperpop andelectropop, the EP was intended to demonstrate the group's musical diversity. Composition and production ofSavage were handled by a wide array of songwriters and producers, includingYoo Young-jin,Kenzie,Brandon Green,Marcus Lomax, andHayley Kiyoko, with SM Entertainment founderLee Soo-man serving as executive producer. Lyrically, the album continues to expand Aespa's virtual universe.
On September 13, 2021, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa would be releasing their first extended play titledSavage on October 5, containing six tracks.[1] The EP was released for pre-order on September 14. On September 27, the tracklist and lead single "Savage" were revealed.[2] The tracklist included participation from American singer-songwriterHayley Kiyoko on the closing track "Lucid Dream". In an interview with theGrammy, Giselle revealed that they "actually didn't get to meet her and do an actual collaboration [even though] the song was made by her."[3] The making ofSavage marked the first time all the Aespa members recorded together in a studio, a process that turned out to be "a lot of fun for the members, who are all close friends." Ningning said that they had a great time recording the EP and got to try genres they haven't done before.[4] According to thePaper magazine,Lee Soo-man, the founder ofSM Entertainment and executive producer of their EP, "personally directed every small detail" of their production, including the pronunciation of every syllable.[5]
Before recording, it's very important to deliver the message and the mood of the song. I really get into the character. For example, if I'm recording a song, I'll think of various scenes in my head, like a movie. "What character am I portraying? What's happening? How am I feeling?" Little things like that. After I do that and prepare myself, then I go on [and] record the music.
— Ningning looking back on recordingSavage,Grammy[6]
When we were approached with the songs and the demos, we actually were very fond of it. We liked the songs, but [at the same time] we did have a lot of effort that we had to put in to make sure they actually sounded good and that we actually matched well with them. For example, Winter has a very soft voice, but in order to sing "Black Mamba," [which is a] little more powerful, she worked to show her vocals in a different style. We really enjoy trying something new. "Savage" was also new to us.
— Giselle on the diversity of Aespa's sound,Grammy[6]
American singer-songwriterHayley Kiyoko co-wrote the track "Lucid Dream".
The opening track, "Aenergy", is an "uplifting anthem" that explores "the group's members and the characteristics they showcase throughout their superheroine-like story, declaring each members' in-universe skills and abilities."[7] Lead single "Savage" was described as "brilliant" in its eclectic blend of genres, includingtrap music,dubstep and intense powerballadry with "drums and basses" as the main focus.[7][12] Narrating the group's ongoing efforts to defy the Black Mamba, the track further elucidates Aespa and ae proceeding to the virtual world of Kwangya with the help of nævis.[11] The song blends "addictive" hooks, rap verses andad-libs while displaying the group's ability to take on varied vocals.[11]NME positively compared the track to the work of Scottish musicianSophie Xeon.[8] "I'll Make You Cry" is adance-pop "fierce revenge anthem" with "a unique rhythm", "twinkling beats" and "ear-catching synth sound".[4][7][13] "Haunting" belts escalate the song's "tenacious" atmosphere, along with "strong" vocal performances and "fierce" lyrics.[8] The "eccentric", "high-energy" song "Yeppi Yeppi" is "bubbly" and features a combination of "deep house,trance,synthwave, and trap" genres, with lyrics containing the "positive message that if you think of yourself as beautiful rather than other people's opinions, then you will be happy".[8][4] Winter named the song as her personal favorite.[9] "Iconic" was described as a dance-pop song with "a force of revving production and fizzing hooks."[8][14] It starts with "strong"hip hop[7] and turns into "a series of alternatingly sweet and sassy verses all about how iconic Aespa is."[7] The closing track, "Lucid Dream", is adream popalt R&B tune that emits a "hazy,ambient vibe" and features a "glitchy"electronicbridge.[15][7] The song is a "poignant blur" of "hypnotic"synthesizers and "gentle" trap beats mixed with "intricate" layers ofbreathy vocals.[8]
On September 14, 2021,Savage was made available for pre-order in three versions: P.O.S, Synk Dive, and Hallucination Quest.[16] From September 23 to 25, the Hallucination Quest version of concept photos for the extended play was released.[17] Synk Dive version and additional Hallucination Quest concept photos were released on September 26 and 29, respectively.[18] The EP tracklist was revealed on September 27. The teaser for the music video of the lead single of the same name was released on October 4.[19] The album was released on October 5, 2021, in physical and digital formats.[20] The music video for lead single "Savage", directed by 725 (SL8 Visual Lab), was released on SM Entertainment'sYouTube channel in conjunction with the release of the EP.[21] On October 5, Aespa held a live event called "SYNK DIVE: aespa Savage SHOWCASE" onYouTube to introduce the EP and communicate with their fans.[22] The group also performed onNBC'sThe Kelly Clarkson Show on October 16, their broadcast debut on US network television.[23]
AllMusic critic David Crone stated that the EP is "a glitchy, futuristic take on the K-Pop mini-album" that continues to "demonstrate the star power of Aespa's leading foursome".[24] Tamar Herman of theSouth China Morning Post summarizedSavage as "cohesive listening experience" that is "invigorating and satisfying", adding it was "successful in showcasing what the members of Aespa have to offer as one of most ambitious newer female K-pop acts out there."[7] She also included it on her list of best K-pop releases of October 2021. Carmen Chin ofNME awarded the EP four stars out of five, writing that "Savage's brand of vibrant, punchy electronic pop falls perfectly in sync with the unconventionality aespa have so boldly presented in their one year as a group."[8]MTV's Regina Kim stated that "Savage provides a sonic backdrop that exists outside this imagined world," and added that the mini album is "giving listeners glimpses into an overarching fable."[4] In her review forPopMatters, Ana Clara Ribeiro describedSavage as "a well-scripted, high-budget cyberpunk film" that "doesn't necessarily make you feel good, but it is good, and that’s why you watch it" because it "entertains and fascinates."[15] She also named the track "I'll Make You Cry" a highlight on the EP.[15]
On October 5, it was reported that pre-orders forSavage reached 401,088 copies.[35] According to the South Korean Hanteo Chart, the EP was the "best-selling debut album for girl group's on the chart" after it sold more than 200,000 copies on the second day of its release.[36] In South Korea, it debuted atop theGaon Album Chart on the chart issue dated October 3–9, 2021.[37] The EP also topped the daily and weekly editions of album charts such as Hanteo Chart, Synnara Record, Kyobo Bookstore, and Gaon Retail Album Chart.[38] Within 15 days of release, it was reported thatSavage sold 513,292 copies.[39] In Japan, it peaked at number 18 onBillboard Japan's Hot Albums chart and at number seven on theOriconAlbums Chart.[40]
In the United States, Aespa made their debut on theBillboard200 chart, with the EP entering at number 20 and becoming the highest-charting debut album by a K-pop girl group inBillboard history.Savage also placed first onBillboard's World Albums andIndependent Albums charts[41] and debuted at number two on theTop Album Sales chart with 17,500 units in pure sales.[42]
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^Jae-eun, Lee (September 28, 2021)."에스파, 미니1집 'Savage' 트랙리스트 공개" [Aespa, 1st mini album 'Savage' tracklist released] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang.Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 28, 2021 – via Naver.
^Min-kyung, Ji (September 27, 2021)."에스파, 이번엔 'Savage' 신드롬..'Next Level' 잇는 세계관 스토리" [Aespa, this time 'Savage' syndrome..'Next Level' worldview story] (in Korean). Osen.Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Min-ji, Kim (September 29, 2021)."에스파 첫 미니앨범, 히트메이커 유영진·켄지 작업곡 수록" [Aespa's first mini-album, includes songs written by hitmakers Youngjin Yoo and Kenji] (in Korean). Xports News.Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Seo-yeon, Park (September 30, 2021)."에스파, 'Savage' 영&파워풀 매력 기대..윈터X닝닝 환각퀘스트 티저 공개" [Aespa, 'Savage' is looking forward to young & powerful charm..Winter X Ningning hallucation quest teaser released] (in Korean). Herald Pop.Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 30, 2021 – via Naver.
^Cheong-won, Lee (September 28, 2021)."에스파(aespa), 내달 5일 '새비지' 발매...전세계 팬들과 소통" [Aespa releases 'Savage' on the 5th of next month... Communicating with fans around the world] (in Korean). SisaFocus.Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 28, 2021 – via Naver.
^Mi-kyung, Kang (October 4, 2021)."에스파, 첫 미니 'Savage' MV 티저 공개..'Black Mamba'와 맞선다" [Aespa releases the first mini 'Savage' MV teaser..Against 'Black Mamba'] (in Korean). MT Star News.Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. RetrievedNovember 7, 2021 – via Naver.
^Hye-jin, Hwang (October 5, 2021).""쯧쯧쯧쯧" 광야 진출한 에스파, 블랙맘바 짓밟는 'Savage'[들어보고서]" [Aespa, who has advanced into the wilderness, 'Savage' trampling on black mamba [listen to]] (in Korean). Newsen.Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. RetrievedNovember 6, 2021 – via Naver.
^Mi-kyung, Sun (September 28, 2021)."에스파, 10월 5일 온라인 쇼케이스 개최..신곡 무대 첫 공개[공식]" [Aespa, held an online showcase on October 5..New song stage first released [Official]] (in Korean). Osen.Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. RetrievedSeptember 28, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ji-hye, Kim (October 16, 2021)."에스파, 美 '켈리 클락슨 쇼' 첫 출연 화제 "세상 놀라게 했다"" [Aespa, first appearance on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' in the US "Surprised the world"] (in Korean). Herald Pop.Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. RetrievedNovember 6, 2021 – via Naver.
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^Seul, Lee (October 5, 2021)."에스파, '새비지' 선주문 40만장 돌파…오늘(5일) 컴백 [공식입장]" [Aespa, 'Savage' pre-orders exceed 400,000...Today (5th) comeback [Official position]] (in Korean). Xports News.Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. RetrievedOctober 5, 2021 – via Naver.
^Mi-na, Gong (October 9, 2021)."난해하다고? 에스파, 확장된 세계관 담은 'Savage'로 또 다시 돌풍[★FOCUS]" [Difficult? Aespa, once again a blast with 'Savage' with an expanded worldview [FOCUS]] (in Korean). Star.Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. RetrievedOctober 10, 2021 – via Naver.
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^So-yoon, Ahn (October 14, 2021)."에스파, '새비지' 가온 차트 정상 등극" [Aespa, 'Savage' topped Gaon Chart] (in Korean). Newsis.Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. RetrievedOctober 14, 2021 – via Naver.
^"에스파 '새비지', 하프 밀리언셀러 등극" [Aespa's 'Savage' becomes a half-million seller].Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). October 21, 2021.Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. RetrievedOctober 21, 2021 – via Naver.
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