Illusion (Aespa song) explained

Illusion
Cover:Aespa - Illusion.png
Artist:Aespa
Ep:Girls
Type:Promotional single
Language:Korean
Genre:
Length:3:15
Label:
Producer:
  • G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze
  • Patricia “Tricia” Battani
  • Steve Octave
Lyricist:Lee Thor (Lalala Studio)

"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 (Lalala Studio) 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.

Background and release

On June 1, 2022, SM Entertainment announced Aespa would be releasing their second extended play Girls on July 8.[1] Alongside the announcement, Aespa surprise released "Illusion" as a pre-release track from the EP, accompanied by "futuristic-looking" lyric video on the same day.[2] It marks the group's first material to be released under their record contract with Warner Records.[3]

Development and composition

"Illusion" was written by Lee Thor (Lalala Studio) with composition and arrangement handled by G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze, Patricia “Tricia” Battani, and Steve Octave.[4] The song was described as an electronic "high-energy" hip hop, synth-pop, dance and EDM-trap song with "punchy 808 bass and kicking sound that catches the ears".[5] [6] [7] It consists of elements indicative of hyperpop, including an "eccentric percussion to hi-hats and electric, woodblock-like clicks". Lyrically, the song was described as having "Aespa's own color expressed" such as "comparing the desire to seduce and devour one's opponent to goblin fire". The song also features the slurping sound from one of the song's producers, Patricia “Tricia” Battani. "Illusion" was composed in the key of D minor, with a tempo of 90 beats per minute.[8]

In an interview with The Art Of Listening, the song's producers G'harah "PK" Degeddingsezeand and Tricia Battani stated that the lyrics "Yummy Yummy in my Tummy Tummy" were inspired by the fragment lines of the 2008 action thriller film .[9] They also revealed that the song was originally called "Dessert" and featured lyrics about "being a delicious, enticing dessert".[9]

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from music critics. Crystal Bell of Nylon described the song as "synthpop siren's call with a deliciously dirty bassline", and that it "highlights each member's vocal charms".[10] Writing for Consequence of Sound, Mary Siroky named the song as "a high-energy 'sneak peak' track" that offers "a vibrant beat and an earworm chorus".[11] Clash's Robin Murray dubbed the track as a "sparkling, hook-laden return that sits in a synth-pop lane".[6] In Billboard, reviewer S.B. wrote that the song is a "sinister track [that] continues to explore the group’s cyber-futurism theme".[12] Mashable ranked the song at number 11 in their list of "The 16 best K-pop songs of 2022 (so far)", writing: "To mark the start of their new era, aespa dropped "Illusion," an electronic pre-release track that builds on the group’s synth-pop calling and affinity for sticky, hypnotic hooks".[13]

Rolling Stones Kristine Kwak stated the song is "a loser to Aespa’s traditional futuristic synth-heavy sound" and called it "a fan favorite and rightfully so".[14] Writing for Beats Per Minute, Chase McMullen labelled it as the "sort of song that has the power to get you dancing in the middle of a bar, not caring the least about an onlooker as you weave to its every move".[15] Rhian Daly of NME thought it was "the best song on this record" with "minimal, shadowy verses before hitting a hypnotically lowkey refrain".[16]

Publisher! scope="col"
ListiclePlacement
Amazon MusicBest of 2022: K-Pop37[17]
ConsequenceTop 50 Songs of 202235th[18]
CosmopolitanThe 15 Best K-pop Songs of 202213th[19]
DeezerK-POP 2022 Hits[20]
HypebaeBest K-Pop Songs and Music Videos of 202218[21]
MTVThe 22 Best K-pop B-Sides of 20225th[22]
NMEThe 25 best K-pop songs of 202217th[23]
The Review Geek15 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022[24]

Commercial performance

"Illusion" debuted at number 120 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated May 29 – June 4, 2022;[25] on its component charts, the song debuted at number 15 on the Gaon Download Chart,[26] and number 153 on the Gaon Streaming Chart.[27] It ascended to number fifteen on the Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated September 2–8, 2022. Internationally, the song peaked at number 15 on the Singapore's RIAS Regional Top Chart, and number 39 on the Billboard Vietnam Hot 100.[28] "Illusion" did not enter the Billboard Global 200, but peaked at number 150 on the Global Excl. US US chart.

Promotion

On June 26 and 27 Aespa performed "Illusion" as part of a one-off concert titled the "Aespa Showcase Synk in LA".[29] It was also sung during the group's live event called "Aespa Girls Comeback Live" on July 11 on YouTube and TikTok.[30] The song was performed with "Girls" on two music programs: Mnet's M Countdown on July 14,[31] and MBC's Show! Music Core on July 16.[32]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Girls.[33]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Global Excl. US (Billboard)[34] 150
Singapore Top Regional (RIAS)[35] 15
South Korea (Circle)[36] 14
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[37] 39

Monthly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
South Korea (Circle)[38] 16

Year-end chart

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korea (Circle)[39] 71
Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
South Korea (Circle)[40] 119

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
VariousJune 1, 2022

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 에스파, 워너 레코드와 손잡고 글로벌 진출...7월 8일 'Girls'로 컴백. Aespa joins forces with Warner Records to advance global...Comeback with 'Girls' on July 8. Naver. Ten Asia. ko. Woo. Bin. June 1, 2022. June 5, 2022. June 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605054417/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=312&aid=0000550286. live.
  2. Web site: Aespa surprise-release new song 'Illusion'. NME. Puah. Ziwei. June 1, 2022. June 5, 2022. June 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220603060218/https://www.nme.com/news/music/aespa-surprise-release-new-song-illusion-3237834. live.
  3. Web site: AESPA MAKE THEIR BRASH RETURN VIA THE PLAYFUL "ILLUSION", PREPARE NEW MINI-ALBUM. Beats Per Minute. Mcmullen. Chase. June 1, 2022. June 26, 2022. June 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220603060218/https://www.nme.com/news/music/aespa-surprise-release-new-song-illusion-3237834. live.
  4. Web site: Illusion – Aespa. Melon. SM Entertainment. ko. June 1, 2022. June 11, 2022. June 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220611044448/https://www.melon.com/song/detail.htm?songId=35238221. live.
  5. Web site: Aespa Takes Good Morning America to the Next Level. Vulture. Guy. Zoe. July 8, 2022. July 11, 2022.
  6. Web site: K-Pop Stars aespa Share Surprise Single 'Illusion'. Clash Magazine. Murray. Robin. June 1, 2022. June 5, 2022. June 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220603060610/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/k-pop-stars-aespa-share-surprise-single-illusion. live.
  7. Web site: 에스파, '도깨비불' 선공개했다. Aespa 'Illusion' pre-released. Naver. My Daily. ko. Lee. Seung-rok. June 1, 2022. June 5, 2022. June 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605054442/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003609537. live.
  8. Web site: Key & BPM for Illusion by Aespa. Tunebat. June 4, 2022. June 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605054454/https://tunebat.com/Info/Illusion-aespa/5uFqjHOo3Sh0bVPCKf3DdH. live.
  9. Web site: Producer Interview: PK and Tricia Battani on "Illusion" by aespa. The Art Of Listening. June 1, 2022. June 26, 2022. October 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221017070609/https://sites.google.com/k12.friscoisd.org/artlistens/features/pk-and-tricia-battani-on-illusion. live.
  10. Web site: Exclusive Clip: Aespa Talks Coachella Debut For Apple Music "Up Next" Film. Nylon. Bell. Crystal. June 2, 2022. June 5, 2022. June 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605054500/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/aespa-apple-music-next-up-exclusive-clip. live.
  11. Web site: Aespa Partner With Warner Records, Announce Second Mini Album Girls and Release Surprise Track "Illusion": Stream. Consequence of Sound. Siroky. Mary. June 1, 2022. June 5, 2022. June 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605054432/https://consequence.net/2022/06/aespa-illusion-girls-mini-album/. live.
  12. 10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Betty Who, Aespa, Why Don't We & More. Billboard. B.. S.. June 6, 2022. June 8, 2022. June 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220608151414/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/10-cool-new-pop-songs-betty-who-aespa-why-dont-we-1235082178/. live.
  13. The 16 best K-pop songs of 2022 (so far). Mashable. B.. C.. June 25, 2022. June 25, 2022. June 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220625093749/https://mashable.com/article/best-kpop-songs-2022. live.
  14. Aespa Deliver Addictive Pop and Winning Experiments on 'Girls'. Kwak. Kristine. July 8, 2022. Rolling Stone. https://web.archive.org/web/20220709003401/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-aespa-girls-1378866/amp/. July 9, 2022. live. July 11, 2022.
  15. Web site: Album Review: aespa – Girls . McMullen . Chase . July 12, 2022 . Beats Per Minute. https://web.archive.org/web/20220712160105/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-aespa-girls/. July 12, 2022. live. July 18, 2022.
  16. Web site: aespa – 'Girls' review: K-pop's futuristic fast-risers play it safe on spark-free mini-album. NME. Rhian. Daly. July 13, 2022. July 18, 2022. July 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220713131639/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/reviews/album/aespa-girls-mini-album-review-sm-entertainment-metaverse-k-pop-3268289. live.
  17. Web site: Best of 2022: K-Pop. Amazon Music. December 28, 2022. December 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221228122928/https://music.amazon.com/playlists/B0BMQVVNPW. live.
  18. Web site: Top 50 Songs of 2022. . December 5, 2022. Consequence. https://web.archive.org/web/20221206042917/https://consequence.net/2022/12/top-50-songs-2022-list/5/. December 6, 2022. live. December 6, 2022.
  19. Juvet . Aedan . December 16, 2022 . Wanna Know Which K-Pop Song Is the Best of 2022? Here's Our Definitive Ranking . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20221216074045/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a42258288/best-k-pop-songs-2022/ . December 16, 2022 . December 18, 2022.
  20. Web site: Best of 2022: K-Pop. Deezer. December 28, 2022. December 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221228115627/https://www.deezer.com/en/playlist/5852356582. live.
  21. Ye Eun. Kim. THESE ARE THE BEST K-POP SONGS AND MUSIC VIDEOS OF 2022. Hypebae. December 28, 2022. December 28, 2022. December 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221228110721/https://hypebae.com/2022/12/best-k-pop-songs-music-videos-korea-blackpink-bts-newjeans-pink-venom-hype-boy. live.
  22. Web site: De Luna . Elizabeth . December 16, 2022 . The 22 Best K-Pop B-Sides Of 2022 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20221216165054/https://www.mtv.com/news/tu3kzn/k-pop-b-sides-2022 . December 16, 2022 . December 18, 2022 . MTV . en.
  23. Web site: December 20, 2022. The 25 best K-pop songs of 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221152749/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/music-features/nme-best-k-pop-songs-of-the-year-2022-3369365. December 21, 2022. December 28, 2022. NME.
  24. Web site: Emma. C. C.. 15 Best K-Pop Songs of 2022 TheReviewGeek Recommends. The Mary Sue. December 16, 2022. December 28, 2022. December 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221228122947/https://www.thereviewgeek.com/15-best-kpop-songs-2022/. live.
  25. Web site: 2022년 23주차 Digital Chart. Week 23 of 2022 Digital Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. May 29 – June 4, 2022. June 10, 2022. June 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220609022609/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=23&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week. live.
  26. Web site: 2022년 23주차 Download Chart. Week 23 of 2022 Download Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. May 29 – June 4, 2022. June 10, 2022. June 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220609042402/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=23&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week. live.
  27. Web site: 2022년 01주차 Streaming Chart. Week 23 of 2022 Streaming Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. May 29 – June 4, 2022. June 10, 2022. June 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220610101024/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1040&targetTime=23&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week. live.
  28. Web site: Billboard Vietnam Hot 100, CHART DATE 2022-06-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20220616153635/https://billboardvn.vn/billboard-vietnam-hot-100/. 16 June 2022. 16 June 2022. Billboard Việt Nam. vi.
  29. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0013275005. ko:에스파 미국 LA 쇼케이스서 현지 팬 1만명 환호. 10,000 local fans cheered at ESPA's LA showcase. Taesoo. Lee. June 28, 2022. Yonhap News Agency. ko. June 28, 2022. June 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220628211201/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0013275005. live.
  30. Web site: 에스파, 8일 신곡 'Girls' 발매→11일 팬들과 랜선 소통[공식]]. Aespa releases new song 'Girls' on the 8th → Communication with fans on the 11th via LAN [Official]. Naver. Newsen. ko. Hwang. Hye-jin. July 4, 2022. July 18, 2022. July 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220711141053/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000597466. live.
  31. Web site: 나연, 에스파 누르고 1위...영탁·청하 컴백 (엠카)[종합]]. Nayeon, beat Aespa to take 1st place...Young-tak·Chung-ha comeback (MCA) [General]. Naver. X-port News. ko. Lee. Ji-eun. July 14, 2022. July 18, 2022. July 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220714105431/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0001475245. live.
  32. Web site: '음악중심' 트와이스 나연, 출연 없이 1위...에스파·있지 컴백-WSG워너비·에이핑크 초봄 데뷔 [종합]]. 'Music Core' Twice Nayeon, 1st place without appearance...Aespa·Itzy Comeback-WSG Wannabe·Apink Chobom Debut [General]. Naver. My Daily. ko. Kang. Da-yun. July 16, 2022. July 18, 2022. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717145041/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003625586. live.
  33. Girls . Aespa . 2022 . Credits . photobook . SM Entertainment; Dreamus . South Korea.
  34. Billboard Global Excl. US: Week of July 23, 2022. Billboard. July 19, 2022. July 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719115520/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-excl-us/2022-07-23/. live.
  35. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 28 (8 - 14 Jul 2022). July 19, 2022. RIAS. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719083913/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/#1562208279199-5ec9aa23-80dc. July 19, 2022. July 19, 2022.
  36. Web site: Digital Chart – Week 37 of 2022. Circle Chart. ko. December 27, 2023.
  37. Aespa Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100). Billboard. November 25, 2023.
  38. Web site: Digital Chart – September 2022 . October 6, 2022 . . ko . September 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908031130/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=08&hitYear=2022&termGbn=month&yearTime=3 . live .
  39. Web site: Circle Digital Chart – 2022. Circle Chart. ko. January 12, 2023. January 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113021112/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=year&yearTime=3&targetTime=2022. live.
  40. Web site: Digital Chart 2023. Circle Chart. January 12, 2024.

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