aespa Makes a Powerful Comeback with an Even Stronger 'Electronic Steel Flavor'

aespa is officially making their comeback with a bolder sound. On October 21 at 6 PM (KST), they will release all tracks from their fifth mini-album Whiplash on various music platforms.

This album features six tracks, including "Whiplash," aespa's first-ever attempt at an EDM-based techno title track since their debut. Alongside Whiplash, the album includes a variety of genres, showcasing the group's musical diversity.

The hip-hop dance track "Kill It" stands out with its powerful rap and vocal performance. "Flights, Not Feelings" offers a mysterious and dreamy atmosphere with its R&B sound, drawing listeners into its unique vibe. "Pink Hoodie" carries a message of self-love through its energetic hip-hop dance style, encouraging listeners to embrace themselves.

"Flowers" is an alternative R&B track that poetically compares the experience of falling in love to blossoming flowers, adding a softer emotional element to the album. In contrast, "Just Another Girl" is a pop-rock song that delivers a direct and bold message to a betraying lover, reinforcing the album's range of moods and themes.

aespa's comeback comes approximately five months after the success of their first studio album's title track, "Supernova."The group's new title track, "Whiplash," offers a refined performance and aesthetic that contrasts with the maximal visuals of their previous work. This new concept aims to showcase aespa's limitless growth in music and performance, piquing curiosity among fans.

Below is a Q&A with aespa about their fifth mini-album Whiplash.

Q. What was your main focus while preparing this album?

Karina "I think the biggest challenge was figuring out how to express the rhythmic intensity of Whiplash through the music video and choreography."

Winter "We worked hard on both the performance and the music, of course. We also gave a lot of input to align the visuals with the album's concept."

Giselle "I focused the most on recording. Each comeback, I try to pay attention to different aspects, and for this one, I made an extra effort in recording. There are still parts I wish I could improve, but I hope everyone will enjoy listening to it."

Ningning "Since the choreography is quite different from our previous ones, I put extra emphasis on posing and angles to make it stand out."

Q. What are the key listening points of the title track Whiplash, and does it still carry the same 'steel flavor'? If not, how would you describe its appeal?

Karina "I think the key listening points of Whiplash are its addictive nature and the beats that keep hitting hard. This time, instead of the 'steel flavor,' I'd say it has more of an 'electronic flavor.'"

Winter "The repetitive chorus is really attractive! I'd describe the album's sound as a 'digital steel flavor' or maybe 'electronic steel flavor.'"

Giselle "I think the beat is what stands out the most, and the part where we repeat 'Whip-Whiplash' is really addictive. It still has the 'steel flavor,' but you could say it's like a cooler version of Supernova."

Ningning "The highlight of this track is that within just five seconds, it'll make anyone want to start dancing!"

Q. aespa is known for its distinctive performances. What can we expect from the choreography of Whiplash?

Karina "Since it's important to express the rhythm of Whiplash, we focused on linear movements using hand and arm extensions."

Winter "The choreography is intense, with a lot of outward power, which leaves a strong impression."

Giselle "This time, the choreography feels more refined, and I think the key highlight is the shoulder isolations."

Ningning "You can expect a cool performance that matches the song perfectly, with styling that reflects aespa's signature vibe."

Q. What are the highlights of the Whiplash music video, and do you have any memorable filming experiences to share?

Karina "The use of new angle shots is a notable feature. There are transitions from group dance to acting scenes, which make the video even more intense."

Winter "Compared to our previous music videos, this one feels a bit more stripped down but still includes many stylish and cool elements. We also filmed parts of it in the U.S., and I remember the hairpin I used ended up matching my outfit perfectly, so I kept it on for the shoot. Watching the footage later with the members gave us all a good laugh."

Giselle "The music video has a techno-inspired concept, and the outfits and visuals add a fashionable edge, making it fun to watch. I found the use of different props fascinating, but handling the camera equipment was harder than I expected. This was also my first time trying toned-down makeup, which was a new and enjoyable experience."

Ningning "Instead of the CG and set designs we used in the past, we kept things simple with a white background, giving it a cool, minimalist feel. The scenes we shot on location in LA also bring out the beautiful LA vibe."

Q. The album features songs from various genres. Excluding the title track, what are your favorite tracks and why?

Karina "Flights, Not Feelings. I love the mood of the song—it makes me want to go on a drive along the coast at a resort."

Winter "Flights, Not Feelings. This song feels like nothing we've ever done as aespa before. I love both the lyrics and melody, and it grows on me every time I listen to it."

Giselle "I was hooked on Flights, Not Feelings the moment I heard the demo. I thought, 'We just need to deliver this song well.' Just Another Girl is also a personal favorite of mine."

Ningning "Flights, Not Feelings. It's such a healing song, and it matches my usual music preferences perfectly."

Q. With the massive success of Supernova, what achievements do you hope to reach with this new album?

Karina "Rather than focusing on achievements, I personally love Whiplash as a title track, so I just hope that more people will discover it and grow to love it."

Winter "I've seen fans say that Supernova gave them strength to get through tough times. I hope this new album can also bring comfort and strength to many people in their daily lives."

Giselle "I love every track on this album, so I hope it receives even more love than Supernova."

Ningning "Rather than focusing on results, I just hope people enjoy our music and performances together with us."

Q. aespa recently completed a successful Asia tour with 25 concerts across 15 cities. Next year, you'll expand to North and South America as well as Europe. What was your most memorable moment so far, and how do you feel about the upcoming tour?

Karina "The first concert in Seoul stands out the most to me. There's always that special excitement on the first day of showing what we've worked hard to prepare. I'm grateful to have met so many fans through the tour, and I look forward to meeting MYs in countries we haven't visited yet!"

Winter "During the Asia tour, we traveled in mobile vehicles and moved through audience areas, getting closer to the fans. I still remember each and every fan's face from those moments. Seeing their enthusiasm and joy made me so happy. I'm really excited about the North and South America and Europe tour, too! I promised our fans last year that we'd give them an even better show if they came to see us again, so we're preparing hard for it. Please look forward to it!"

Giselle "I'm so grateful to the fans for preparing special events during encores. Those moments have stayed with me. With this new album and our upcoming concerts, I can't wait to show everyone a different side of aespa."

Ningning "Every concert was memorable, but the first concert always leaves the biggest impression. After practicing and preparing for so long, there's always a mix of nervousness and excitement at the beginning."

Q. Lastly, do you have any message for the fans looking forward to this album?

Karina "Thank you always for loving aespa's music. To repay your love, we've brought you songs that will make it impossible not to dance, so please give it lots of love and shake off your stress with Whiplash!"

Winter "We've prepared songs that showcase aespa's unique style, so please look forward to it and give it lots of listens!"

Giselle "We're back quickly with this new album, and we've worked hard to deliver a great result. Please look forward to it!"

Ningning "We've worked hard on this album with our members and staff, so I hope MYs can enjoy it and wrap up 2024 on a good note. We'll keep striving to create even better music in the future!"