Better Things (Aespa song)

Last updated

"Better Things"
Aespa - Better Things.png
Single by Aespa
Language
  • English
ReleasedAugust 18, 2023 (2023-08-18)
Genre Dance
Length3:23
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Clampitt
  • Keen
Aespa singles chronology
"Spicy"
(2023)		"Better Things"
(2023)		"We Go"
(2023)
Music video
"Better Things" on YouTube

"Better Things" is a song by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released on August 18, 2023, through SM Entertainment and Warner Records as the group's first original English single. [lower-alpha 1] The song was the group's second release of 2023, following their third extended play, My World , in May. To promote the song, Aespa aired a 3 episode long web series sitcom show, Better Things, with its first episode released on August 7. Originally released as a standalone single, the song was later included in the digital edition of the group's fourth extended play Drama , which was released on November 10, 2023.

Contents

Background

Prior to the release of "Better Things", Aespa released a non-Korean song in 2022, the English version of "Life's Too Short" from the group's second extended play, Girls . The song received positive reviews from music critics for its lyrics and a "catchy" melody. [1] [2] On March 31, 2023, they released their second English song, "Hold On Tight", for the soundtrack of the Apple Original Film Tetris. [3]

On July 27, 2023, Aespa began teasing their upcoming release "Better Things" that was later revealed to be released on August 18. [4] On July 31, the group unveiled a teaser for the single which included an "8-bit-inspired" snippet of the song playing over a visual of a "retro handheld water ring toss game". [5] Before the release of the single, SM Entertainment released the first episode of the group's web series sitcom, Better Things, on August 7. [6] Two days later, it was announced that Aespa would perform the song on August 13 at the first show of the American leg of their Synk: Hyper Line tour at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. [7] The same day, the group released the summer-themed teaser photos. [8]

Composition

"Better Things" was described as an up-tempo minimalistic dance song. The track features a rhythmic percussion sound "that goes well with summer" alongside a "unique rhythm pattern" and "rich vocals" of the group. The lyrics talk about giving focus to more valuable things in life. [9]

Promotion

On August 4, a snippet of "Better Things" was revealed on TikTok before the song's official release.[ citation needed ] Aespa would debut "Better Things" at the first show of the American leg of their Synk: Hyper Line tour on August 13. [7] The group also appeared on the magazine cover of Dork's September 2023 issue. [10]

To promote the release of the single, Aespa filmed a three-episode sitcom web series, Better Things, with the first episode uploaded on August 7. [6] Other episodes were released on August 9 and 11, respectively. [6] Ningning only appeared in limited parts of the sitcom, due to her health conditions at the time of filming. The show received a "favorable" response from fans for the chemistry between Aespa members and their "skillful acting". [11]

Accolades

Award and nominations for "Better Things"
YearOrganizationAwardResultRef.
2023Asian Pop Music AwardsSong of the Year (Overseas)Pending [12]

Track listings

Charts

Release history

Release history for "Better Things"
RegionDateFormatVersionLabel
VariousAugust 18, 2023Original
September 8, 2023
  • Sped Up
  • Slowed Down
  • Snack
September 22, 2023Tropkillaz remix
September 29, 2023 Raye remix
October 27, 2023Dance remix
United States CD single
  • Original
  • Sped Up
  • Slowed Down
  • Snack
  • Tropkillaz remix
  • Instrumental

Notes

  1. ↑ For other English-language songs by Aespa, see § Background.

Related Research Articles

SM Entertainment (Korean: SM엔터테인먼트) is a South Korean entertainment company established in 1995 by Lee Soo-man. It is currently one of the largest entertainment companies in South Korea. The company operates as a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management and concert production company, and music publishing house.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Mamba (song)</span> 2020 single by Aespa

"Black Mamba" is the debut single by South Korean girl group Aespa. Originally released as a standalone single on November 17, 2020, by SM Entertainment, the song was later included on the group's second extended play Girls, which was released on July 8, 2022. The song was written and composed by Yoo Young-jin, while also composed by Omega, Ella Isaacson, Gabriela Geneva (NIIVA), Jordan Reyes, Shaun Lopez, and Scott Chesak. Musically, "Black Mamba" was described as a pop, electropop and dance-pop track with a signature synth and EDM sound and bass that is paired with an addictive hook. The lyrics are about a being called "Black Mamba" that not only interferes with the members' and avatar's connection but also threatens their world and as such is abhorred by the members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aespa</span> South Korean girl group

Aespa is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. The group consists of four members: Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning. The group is known for popularizing the metaverse concept and hyperpop music in K-pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Next Level (Aespa song)</span> 2021 single by Aespa

"Next Level" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa, which remakes A$ton Wyld's song of the same name. It was released digitally on May 17, 2021, by SM Entertainment. Composed by Yoo Young-jin, Adam McInnis, Mario Marchetti, and Sophie Curtis, the track is described as a dance and hip hop song with an upbeat new jack swing bridge. The song is a continuation of the group's story from their debut single "Black Mamba", telling their journey into the fictional Kwangya universe to search for the aforementioned "evil".

<i>Savage</i> (EP) 2021 EP by Aespa

Savage is the first extended play by South Korean girl group Aespa. The EP was released by SM Entertainment on October 5, 2021, and is available in three versions—P.O.S, Synk Dive and Hallucination Quest. It contains six songs, including the lead single of the same name.

"Savage" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their first extended play (EP) of the same name. It was released as the lead single on October 5, 2021, by SM Entertainment. Described as a "hyperpop-tinged title track", the song was written by Yoo Young-jin, who also composed along with Kirsten Collins, Jia Lih, and Hautboi Rich, and eventually handled the arrangement alongside Lih. It also continues the group's previous storyline in "Next Level", with the members and their corresponding avatars confronting their Black Mamba villain in the fictional Kwangya universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life's Too Short (Aespa song)</span> 2022 single by Aespa

"Life's Too Short" is a song by the South Korean girl group Aespa, released on June 24, 2022, by SM Entertainment and Warner Records, as the pre-release single from the group's second extended play Girls. The song is the group's first song fully recorded in English. It was written by Uzoechi Emenike, Becky Hill and Sam Klempner and produced by Klempner. "Life's Too Short" is a mid-tempo pop, soft pop and bubblegum pop song, driven by an electric guitar riff. It is about staying true to oneself and doing what makes one happy, no matter what others have to say.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls (Aespa song)</span> 2022 single by Aespa

"Girls" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their second extended play of the same name. It was released as the EP's lead single on July 8, 2022, by SM Entertainment.

"Loveade" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Viviz for their second extended play Summer Vibe. It was released as the EP's lead single by BPM Entertainment on July 6, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illusion (Aespa song)</span> 2022 promotional single by Aespa

"Illusion" is a promotional single recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their second extended play Girls. It was released on June 1, 2022, by SM Entertainment and Warner Records as a surprise pre-release track from the EP. Written by Lee Thor while production handled by G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze, Patricia Battani, and Steve Octave, "Illusion" is an electronic "high-energy" hip hop, synth-pop and dance song with bass-heavy chorus, and elements indicative of hyperpop.

"Glassy" is a song recorded by South Korean singer Jo Yu-ri for her debut single album of the same name. It was released as the album's lead single by Wake One Entertainment on October 7, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spicy (Aespa song)</span> 2023 single by Aespa

"Spicy" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their third extended play My World. It was released as the EP's lead single by SM Entertainment on May 8, 2023.

<i>My World</i> (Aespa EP) 2023 EP by Aespa

My World is the third extended play by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 8, 2023, and contains six tracks, including the pre-release single "Welcome to My World" featuring Naevis, and the lead single "Spicy" which reached the top three on the Circle Digital Chart. Compared to the dark, futuristic, hyperpop-influenced tones of Savage (2021) and Girls (2022), My World's brighter pop sound draws mostly from dance and R&B, with melodies characterized by "captivating beats" and "delightful" vocals of the group. The songs incorporate eclectic styles ranging from alternative pop and dream pop to synth-pop and ballad. Described by Aespa as a return to the "real world" from Kwangya, the mini album shows a new side of the group across various genres.

<i>Drama</i> (Aespa EP) 2023 EP by Aespa

Drama is the fourth extended play by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023, and contains six tracks including the lead single of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drama (Aespa song)</span> 2023 single by Aespa

"Drama" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their fourth extended play of the same name. It was released as the EP's lead single by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giselle (singer)</span> Japanese singer (born 2000)

Aeri Uchinaga, known professionally as Giselle (지젤), is a Japanese singer and rapper based in South Korea. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Aespa, formed by SM Entertainment in November 2020.

"Armageddon" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their first studio album of the same name. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 27, 2024, as the second single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supernova (Aespa song)</span> 2024 single by Aespa

"Supernova" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their first studio album Armageddon. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 13, 2024, as the lead single from the album. The song was a commercial success, scoring a Perfect All Kill and becoming the group's first song to top the Circle Digital Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel the Pop</span> 2024 single by Zerobaseone

"Feel the Pop" is a song recorded by South Korean boy group Zerobaseone from their third extended play (EP) You Had Me at Hello. It was released as the lead single from the EP by WakeOne on May 13, 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "The 79 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022". Teen Vogue . December 15, 2022. Archived from the original on December 24, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  2. ↑ "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Aespa, Dove Cameron, Dayglow & More". Billboard. June 27, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  3. ↑ "에스파, 애플 오리지널 영화 '테트리스' OST 참여..글로벌 대세 행보". Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  4. ↑ @aespa_official (July 26, 2023). "Notice: Room for Rent!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 12, 2023– via Twitter.
  5. ↑ Yeo, Gladys (July 31, 2023). "Hear a teaser of aespa's new single 'Better Things'". NME . Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 지, 민경. "에스파, 'Better Things' 시트콤 첫 공개..능청 연기+찐친 케미". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  7. 1 2 경, 선미. "에스파, 13일 美 LA 콘서트서 'Better Things' 무대 최초 공개". Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  8. ↑ Hyo-jin, Jeon. "에스파, 청량 에너지 충전 티저 공개". Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ Hye-jin, Hwang. "에스파 서머송 온다, 8월 18일 영어 싱글 'Better Things' 발매". v.daum.net (in Korean). Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  10. ↑ "THE NEW ISSUE OF DORK, FEATURING AESPA, IS COMING SOON – PRE-ORDER". Naver . August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  11. ↑ Byung-cheol, Yoo. "에스파, 신곡 'Better Things' 티저 이미지 공개 화제…청량 에너지 충전". Naver (in Korean). Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  12. ↑ "【APMA 2023】亚洲流行音乐大奖2023年度入围名单" (in Chinese). November 29, 2023. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Better Things - Single by aespa" . Retrieved October 11, 2023– via Apple Music.
  14. ↑ "Better Things (Sped Up + Slowed Down) - Single by aespa" . Retrieved October 11, 2023– via Spotify.
  15. ↑ "Better Things (Tropkillaz Remix) - Single by aespa" . Retrieved October 11, 2023– via Apple Music.
  16. ↑ "Better Things (Remix) - Single by aespa" . Retrieved October 11, 2023– via Apple Music.
  17. ↑ "Better Things (Dance Remix) - Single by aespa" . Retrieved October 27, 2023– via Apple Music.
  18. ↑ "aespa Single Album 'Better Things'" . Retrieved October 27, 2023– via Shop aespa.
  19. ↑ "Aespa Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Billboard Japan Download Songs – Week of August 23, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Nederlandse Global Top 40 – week 34, 2023" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  22. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Circle Digital Chart – Week 37 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). September 10–16, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Aespa Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Digital Chart – September 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 12, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.