LE SSERAFIM Easy Album Review!
Added 2024-02-20 14:56:12 +0000 UTCI thought when I was reacting to this I was being too harsh but I've noticed afterwards and seeing everyone's comments that we are all mostly on the same page.
Underwhelming, safe and digestible just doesn't cut it for a group with as much potential and presence as LSF.
Nothing is particularly awful but there's nothing that'll be memorable in the long run sadly.
Bang PD's impact on HYBE's artistic vision is going to dilute away all the quirks that made K-pop different and experimental even with western influences.
Comments
Yessss so true ! I dunno HYBE are weird man
Koko3op
2024-02-22 23:46:01 +0000 UTCHybe is all style and no substance at this point. I'm convinced any successes that they've had is a combination of sheer luck and raw talent from their idols because the vision isn't visioning anymore. They wasted that phenomenal Good Bones concept video on this comeback and title track. Only thing I walked away from this thinking is that Kazuha needs to be pushed more. She has A LOT of potential regarding vocals and dance. She ate that butterfly move at the beginning and the choreo with the purple hair! It's telling that outside of Antifragile none of their title tracks were the ones that gained traction. Sour Grapes seemed to be preferred compared to Fearless over time. Unforgiven may as well be called a b-side with how much they promoted EP&TBW. Perfect Night is a game collaboration single. Hybe managed to take the one quality that made them stand out and just remove it. I don't get it.
Monte
2024-02-22 21:08:00 +0000 UTCHahahaahah yes!! Very HUH? Hybe is doing them dirty. Maybe Katseye should've debuted with this or something similar. \
Koko3op
2024-02-22 20:53:44 +0000 UTCI totally understand where you’re coming from. They’re the pretty, “it girls”. That’s literally their brand. I LOVE THAT THEY SURPRISED ME, and I love that all of their title tracks have a different flavor to them. But once that surprise wore off I was just like “…. Babes, but why though?” Like… why?? 😭 why did we do this? I appreciate the confidence they’re giving. Their confidence always comes through. I’ll keep listening. I do like all the songs, let’s see what they release later in the year 🤞🏾 Tbh I’m hoping this ep was an opportunity for them to get rid of a few demos that have been collecting dust in somebody’s hard drive.
Love Hoseok
2024-02-22 20:39:56 +0000 UTCFirst Listen was underwhelming but nooow i am obsessed with Smart 👌 Maybe Not the best of Le Sserafim but i like
Ra Ku
2024-02-22 18:01:35 +0000 UTCThis cb is emblematic of HYBE’s problem. Idk why they think the secret to western success is these rehashed boring songs. And you see it across their other groups like enhypen, txt, and probably that GG they’re debuting next month. SOMEONE SAVEEEE THESE GROUPS!!!
ral valerie
2024-02-21 21:30:38 +0000 UTCThis album was disappointing; the songs don't seem to have much energy at all. Easy didn't appeal to me since I dislike music that doesn't change much. They could have included a bridge, a few additional vocal parts, and a slight beat shift. I also can't stand the autotune that hybe uses for all their artist.
Ashley
2024-02-21 18:53:52 +0000 UTChmmm okay okay i understand ! and i totally get what you’re saying like if it were the right song it’d feel more linear than just a jarring change?
Tyra Pugh
2024-02-21 14:23:03 +0000 UTCAgreed!!
Koko3op
2024-02-21 09:17:04 +0000 UTCThe Bacardi dance move gave it away. It was definitely copy paste of Tyla Water and Doja Cat Woman. Even the styling.
Nontz Mkhize
2024-02-21 04:47:22 +0000 UTCI agree. I think they were combining the sounds of the popular sounds from last year because it definitely was giving Doja Cat "Woman" to me with an underlying "Water" pop-piano baseline with that Amapiano log drum. And I thought I was imagining the similarities and definitely felt gaslit😂but the performance and styling was definitely giving "Water" down to the Bacardi dance move. It was underwhelming because it does feel like it lacked authenticity and that's why it didn't resonate with me. It was,as some have already said here,vanilla. And I got into K-pop because it was different and exciting. Disappointing.
Nontz Mkhize
2024-02-21 04:45:30 +0000 UTCGoodbones 4/10 just your typical ENHYPEN-&TEAM-LESSERRAFIM random person speaking for lore intro EASY - 7/10 this song is vanilla, but I love me some vanilla. She can go in my playlists no problem. My only complaint is that its short, but then I probably wouldn’t like it if it was longer ‘cause it’s pretty repetitive idk? It’s more of a 6.5/10 now i think about it. Swan Song 2/10 Zo Zo boring. No flavour. Smakeloos. Not even sugar water. Felt painfully obvious when listening that Yunjin is the only one that can really sing sing. And even she blended in with that 🤖 feeling mixing tbh. 2/10 Only a quarter of a booty shake from me. Sad choreo. Sad cash grab trying to jump “on trend” with an afrobeats-esque song. If you’re going to go there at least do it right. This just felt soulless. 5/10 The vocally layered bits made me happy. Yunjin carried. Didn’t feel like a whole song though. We got what felt like a bridge and then bam. The song ends 😒
LisMM
2024-02-21 03:26:15 +0000 UTCThis is why it's hard to pinpoint lool. It just doesn't feel organic I guess cos if it felt like a natural progression in them trying something new it would've come across much better with the right song I guess
Koko3op
2024-02-21 02:27:50 +0000 UTCi have a question ! when it comes to this, do we think like they could have done easy in their choreo style? cause i think artists should try new things? but does it seem forced ? or it just seems inorganic? does that make sense?
Tyra Pugh
2024-02-21 02:11:41 +0000 UTCtruly awful, i don’t even have a word to describe this company and it’s output
mist
2024-02-21 00:02:10 +0000 UTCI like that word. Digestible. That perfectly describes this. Nothing experimental. Basically western pop that we hear every day sung in Korean. I guess this is what Bang PD has alluded he wanted right? Take the K out of KPOP? This, Sweet Venom and Chasing That Feeling all feel like they are along those lines.
Sarah
2024-02-20 23:52:29 +0000 UTCyou summed it up perfectly
Marn
2024-02-20 23:00:36 +0000 UTCi’m so glad so many of us are on the same page, i really thought i was being a hater but i just felt so…underwhelmed? i feel like it’s one thing taking ‘’inspiration’’ from the current trending sounds but it’s starting to come off rather distasteful as it takes away from any kind of unique expression
Marn
2024-02-20 22:59:03 +0000 UTCAgreed!
Koko3op
2024-02-20 22:14:34 +0000 UTCLOVE that metaphor! Yupp
Koko3op
2024-02-20 22:14:26 +0000 UTCthis cb has me missing fearless era like woah i need a cohesive body of work again. aesthetically, they're never going to disappoint me but idk, the music (which is what i enjoy kpop for), has been so lacking as of late. the tiktokification/minimalist approach to the songs are just incredibly disappointing to me. like 'easy' could've had such a great bridge with a vocal moment for them to shine since the song leaves a lot to be desired. i know the songs are prob gonna grow on me but damn, i really wish there were layers; aespa and rv spoil me so maybe that's why...? like it lowkey annoys me how many producers could be in the room making a song like easy and not think like "hmm maybe add harmonies here so the song doesn't seem monotonous" LMFAOO
Jonathan
2024-02-20 22:04:51 +0000 UTCwith that said, I love them and they're great performers. I can't believe they did these girls dirty with this boring *ss album though T_T
velvetfirefly
2024-02-20 20:32:35 +0000 UTCthe title track is a no for me. Black Swan is so??? there's absolutely nothing to that song. The lyricists couldn't even bother to write different lyrics for the second part? It just kept repeating everything ??? Idk, this album felt souless. Smart is not that bad if you like that kind of sound but it's very repetitive and I just kept thinking of Woman which is a much better song imo so that was not helping lol We Got So Much could've been a good song if it wasn't for that nonsense brigde, the production switched up but not in a good way, it was so ??? And let's just ignore that intro... they really thought they did something with that but nah lol
velvetfirefly
2024-02-20 20:30:35 +0000 UTCI only liked two tracks on this album (and the same goes for a lot of other Kpop albums. Fun fact the last Kpop album I liked in its entirety I believe was Dreamcatcher’s last release) “Easy” and “We got so much” and to be honest I fell asleep through the middle of the album that when I was watching your review I was surprised because I was like, “um I don’t remember this song.” I guess this says a lot about the album. I really liked Easy though. More specifically I really liked that dumb recorder sample they used. I also bobbed my head like a parrot the whole time. Lastly I wouldn’t be surprised if this gets three remixes somewhere down the line. What trendy rapper is on Hybe’s American label? That’s who’ll be on the remix. lol Don’t get me wrong, “Easy” definitely got added to my Spotify shower playlist. Solid review as always. Thanks!
Simeon
2024-02-20 20:24:57 +0000 UTCeasy just felt so... flat? I remember how fearless was interesting when I first heard about lsf, but antifragile just HOOKED me despite me being ridiculously busy and having no time for kpop at the time lol. easy has none of that FIRE.
Shattermirror
2024-02-20 20:13:08 +0000 UTCi think easy is really boring and they simply cannot pull off the vibe they're going for with it tbh. they look awkward and cringe.
shimmyshimmy
2024-02-20 19:58:05 +0000 UTCYeah this EP wasn't it for me either. There just isn't anything to talk about since the music is so mundane. It's basically riding a rollercoaster that goes straight at only one speed. At least with divisive music, or music with a lot of interesting creative choices made to break out of normality, there are things to say about it, whether you think it's fantastic or why you think it doesn't work. But this EP in general treads the line of "there isn't anything I can say since it's not bad in any way nor is it particularly any good". In the same realm as Babymonster's Batter Up, it feels derivative and void of the group's character and charm, it's cookie cutter, formulaic and lazy from the production side. There's a complete lack of dynamics, and from melody standpoint, very one tone.
aaska
2024-02-20 19:11:28 +0000 UTCGosh with the processing I don't even pay attention now because I expect the vocals to sound like that but yes I agree with all you said!
Koko3op
2024-02-20 18:32:56 +0000 UTCI think Bang PD has gotten greedy and forgotten what made BTS so amazing in the first place. His obsession with the west is a lil concerning lol.
Koko3op
2024-02-20 18:32:22 +0000 UTCOHHH YOU ATE THIS. Can you please repeat this on the YouTube video cos that beginning about copying the top 40 in a sly way WAS ACCURATE!!! And yess Malta has been fun! thank you!
Koko3op
2024-02-20 18:31:25 +0000 UTCthanks! I guess I was thinking about their songwriters and misunderstanding, but I still feel like they need to tie their music together some way.
Irene
2024-02-20 18:26:51 +0000 UTCI might be wrong but I think LSF has kept the same music production team (calls themselves 13) from debut till now. I just checked the credits again. They bring in different writers but the decision-making music producers seem the same. Kinda like what Ryan Jhun does for Ive. Same with creative/style director. Same person since debut. And that fella has a fantastic resume that stretches back all the way from BTS Blood, Sweat, Tears days
Mint
2024-02-20 18:21:56 +0000 UTCOoh, this was the comment that clarified my thoughts, thanks. The clash between the song and choreo. That's it
Mint
2024-02-20 18:14:15 +0000 UTCThanks for the reaction. This album so far, hasn't done much for me. Still, I haven't listened to it enough to make up my mind yet. Some early thoughts (inspired by listening with you here) I like the title track. Easy is a change-up but its a hit. I do understand your reservations on whether its the best direction for them. Didn't notice their MV styling issues until you pointed it out. Curious, because their creative styling has been their strongest point since debut and this album's trailer styling was incredible Their strengths are under-utilized on the B-sides. Also, this album doesn't seem to have that stand-out 2nd title track that their previous ones had. I think Smart was supposed to be the one. Why couldn't they develop Good Bones into a proper song? Right now, its too long for a pure intro, too under-developed for a full song. And sonically, it doesn't even lead properly into Easy (and the rest of the album). Interesting comments on Bang PD. Because BTS was a pioneer back in their day. They started playing safer from Dynamite era when they really pushed into the western mainstream but their support base, even in the west, was built from their quirkier days. Same with Seventeen. Hope Bang PD remembers that
Mint
2024-02-20 17:49:34 +0000 UTCOmg just said this on the discord LOL. Why did they copy them SO blatantly!? Just started this, I'm assuming he's gonna say the same thing bc that was wild.
bvo.nrd
2024-02-20 17:49:05 +0000 UTCIn this essay I will...lol no actually I think I'm gonna write out my thoughts.. The thing that bugs me about this album is that it feels like a not so clever way to plagarize without really plagarizing last summers top 40, thus it still feels like lesserafim have no true musical identity. To me, that doesn't give me enough reason to want to go back and re-listen to them bc it feels like I might as well go listen to kidzbop. Lyrically, I do feel like am getting to know them more and more, but the end to Good Bones sounds exactly like bad right idea, right? in a way that doesn't make sense for the intention of the song. Doing a lofi "tinashe" esc song doesn't feel that far off from music they've made in the past, but I also felt like it needed larger vocals or adlibs for that hard of a base line. (In terms of the dance and mv.. I felt like there were too many cooks in the kitchen, but I thought some swag ignited in kazuha that I was pleasently surprised by.) Swan song was very kill bill, with a way too over used black swan metaphor for hybe. Smart was too much like water it felt stupid; sadly ironic considering it's namesake. Overall, I think that lesserafim are let down by not having a creative anchor like a creative director or a production team they consistantly work with. Theorically, that wouldn't mean that they wouldn't have an anchor, but one or all of them has to be artistically developed, confident, or secure in themselves enough to be that person that in the room is able to say "I want to try something", and they either aren't, or aren't in the room with the people making their music, or both. (To conclude, I don't think to make pop music for the billboard hot100 is to devoid yourself of creative choices, but I think to cater to it and it's pace likely will. I also don't think that's the only reason this album was a let down; it was made more apparent by a lack of musical identity and unique choices in their music. However, I do think the phrasing "western" and "eastern" are far too general to be the most accurate. I think a better reference is to say is "music for billboard or tiktok, etc.", or you if you think the music wasn't experimental, you just say it wasn't without generalizing it to music from an enitre half of the world. I think otherwise is unnecessary and dangerously orientalist. Still loved the reaction; I clearly have lots of thoughts about music. have fun in... malta????
Irene
2024-02-20 17:27:08 +0000 UTCPerfectly said!! It was the first song where it felt ALIVE which is a damn shame!
Koko3op
2024-02-20 17:17:00 +0000 UTCAgreeed!!
Koko3op
2024-02-20 17:16:11 +0000 UTCBaggage he’s definitely top 3 on my hit list
Koko3op
2024-02-20 17:15:37 +0000 UTCyea you’d really like smart live far as the choreo like i will say that is choreographed perfectly !!
nana💘
2024-02-20 17:12:40 +0000 UTCOkay, so seems like HYBEs theme for the first half of the year is *drum roll* easy listening!! Between BND, TWS, and LSF and now TXT coming back in April, I can only wonder. This album didn’t wow me. Are ‘smart’ and ‘easy’ catchy? Yes, but nothing ground breaking by any regards. I know their fans say it’s the start of a new trilogy but it didn’t really seem like LSF to me [though I personally like the choreography it does seem like they are making it beyond complicated for something that could of had a cool and more simple dance]. Also Bang PD is going higher and higher up my hit list. He needs to step away from the auto tune effect and let his artist show off vocally when they can.
Joy
2024-02-20 16:20:20 +0000 UTCHere is my (as much as possible) objective opinion of EASY(TT): The girls tried their best. Kazuha and Eunchae are improving their dancing FAST (they are the maknaes so it makes sense). The MV is cute and colorful. Nothing bad there. Now the negatives: They have mixed a trap, lo-fi, chill song, with a kick-ass, cardio, non-stop choreo. In my eyes, they just don't fit. I personally don't like the song, I find it too bland, no melodic changes, no dynamics, too much auto-tune. But I accept it because I'm sure there are people out there that does. What I can't accept is then putting in a fast choreo. Like you said, Impurities (my fav LSFM song btw) is also a pretty chill song, but it has also a slowy, flowy, cool choreo that suits like a glove. I don't feel this here. My ears feel coolness, calmness, etc; while my eyes are telling me to go to the gym asap. By far my least favourite LSFM title track. Anyway, HYBE labels. They will do just fine in sales and streams...
C Baker M
2024-02-20 16:04:28 +0000 UTCI enjoy the songs themselves but you made a great point about them under utilizing their vocalists in favor of choreography/performing. Obviously that’s Hybe’s m.o but I think it’s also where kpop is in general right now, so I hope when vocals become trendy again we’ll get to see them shine to their full potential. In the meantime thank goodness they’re performance queens so we’re never left completely wanting
Nina Sera
2024-02-20 15:57:53 +0000 UTCThis one was rough for me on multiple fronts. With some of the tracks I echo your sentiments that it just feels generic and not really like them, and when a song like "Swan Song" shows up that is more identifiably them, it's just basically a sound they did much better on "Sour Grapes" way back in the beginning. "We got so much" made me snap to attention a little bit and I realized it was because it was the first time in the whole EP it felt like actual human beings were singing to me, after all the sedated mumbling and tired autotune before it, but one decent song doesn't an EP make to me. Outside of that track, there's just such a palpable lack of energy to the whole thing.
J
2024-02-20 15:54:30 +0000 UTCIt's a disappointment, for sure. What do you think about the processing on the vocals, particularly in 'Easy'? Because I definitely don't think it's a problem *in theory*, but it's definitely not done in an interesting way most of the time, and it almost sounds like a parody of my (*white) people doing r&b, except they think it's actually the coolest thing ever. But there's something to be said here about idols always being excited to try new things, because they have to; that's what the field does. But then never really situating themselves in one thing, and really inhabiting it, and you need to do that to make this type of song work. What's so disappointing to me is that the attempt wasn't even made: it's all, oh Korean girl groups can do this aesthetic, and that might feel empowering to them or some people who don't know the substance and history that gave life to that aesthetic in the first place, but it's just not there for people who have listened to one of these before; it reads like a parody; an empty shell. If I compare this to, even the opening two songs on the latest TInashe, it's just ... they didn't pay attention. You can't pop the top button of your pants or get a celeb stylist to install some grills and go. It doesn't work. Practice without theory is worthless, and vice versa. What's the emotion here? There's nothing. 'Impurities' had something, at least. Even with a title and concept like 'easy', you could make a song that sounds like a dissolution of a problem, an easing, a disentangling, a knot coming undone, pain going away, etc. and they went with 'we awesome' again. if you make a song about how easy it actually is, you need to talk a little, whether in lyrics or composition, about what forces prevent you seeing how easy it is; idols actually might have something to say about that, if they'd be permitted to. Hell, Yun-jin is saying something about that in her solos that she just bangs out every other month or so as a surprise drop and they are musically whatever, but phew, at least they're saying something.
Regenherz
2024-02-20 15:52:03 +0000 UTCI prefer Easy to Unforgiven by far, but yeah generally it’s not an exciting comeback. I think Antifragile set the bar too high 😂
Joe B
2024-02-20 15:49:53 +0000 UTCI definitely agree with a lot of what you’re saying; the choreography seemed like the focus here :/. I still recommend watching it because they killed it, but I think it was a misstep because we know the girls can dance like we’ve seen them; they don't have to prove that. “We got so much” had so much potential and oddly enough, when they performed it live a while back at their concert, the bridge worked a lot better for me. The ad libs were way more prominent in the final chorus at the concert too. Just hoping we get to see the girls shine more vocally soon because I really do love Chaewon and Yunjin's tones especially.
Cj425
2024-02-20 15:31:26 +0000 UTCthe way i’ve been avoiding checking out this album and mv bc from the clips i’ve heard i’m worried i’ll be so severely underwhelmed lol. and i love these girls!! also unrelated but you should check out keeho’s mujin service, i’m curious what you’d think!
maya k
2024-02-20 15:23:07 +0000 UTCThis is lsf worst cb imo, but it wasn't awful. Easy is a catchy song but it would've been better as a bside. I rlly like Smart and wish they was the title instead but 🤷♀️ the album also didn't do much for me so this was kinda disappointing
Kai Leon
2024-02-20 15:21:17 +0000 UTCI agree, I love LSF but this caught me off guard. The song is catchy and it will grow on me but I agree. However, seeing their showcase performances really sells me on everything. LSF is just a performance group, they kill it and slay the stage always and I love them for that.
Lola
2024-02-20 15:19:09 +0000 UTCsmart live was good i agree it was really giving tyla water choreo and woman doja cat
Lenajah Madison
2024-02-20 15:10:38 +0000 UTCSmart live was so good thoooo
Vicky15
2024-02-20 15:04:21 +0000 UTC
