Savage

Having conceptualized their career around a series of digital avatars, SM Entertainment's Aespa look to expand their universe on their first mini-album, 2021's Savage. Performing under their alternate identities of Armamenter (Winter), Xenoglossy (Giselle), Hacker (Ningning), and Rocket Puncher (Karina), the group dedicate the project's narratives to fierce anthems of self-affirmation before closing events out with a dash of romance on "ICONIC" and "Lucid Dream." Elements of hyperpop add an edge to Karina and Giselle's fiery verses on "Savage" and "ICONIC," while main vocalists Ningning and Winter fold their melodies cleanly into the ethereal trap of "Lucid Dream" and dancefloor-ready transitions of "YEPPI YEPPI." Savage is a glitchy, futuristic take on the K-Pop mini-album that continues to demonstrate the star power of Aespa's leading foursome. ~ David Crone