On May 2nd, 2022, Source Music (a subsidiary of HYBE Labels, who houses the world famous BTS) debuts the highly anticipated girl group, Le Sserafim. At 06:00 PM KST, the music video for their title track, “Fearless”, premiered, as well as their debut EP of the same name launching on all major streaming platforms. This EP of five tracks showcases all six members’ strengths and isn’t shy of making sure you know what they are capable of and aren’t afraid to say why they deserve to be at the top.
1. The World is My Oyster
The album opens with an introductory track titled “The World is My Oyster” where words of encouragement to go against the grain are spoken in three languages – English, Korean, and Japanese. Each line is spoken by a different member in their native tongue. English lines were recited by Korean-American, Huh Yunjin; Korean lines were done by Korean members Kim Chaewon, Kim Garam, and Hong Eunchae; lines in Japanese were spoken by Miyawaki Sakura and Nakamura Kazuha, who are, you guessed it, both Japanese.
The backing instrumental track is filled with synths that’ll make you feel like you are front row, inches away from a runway at Paris Fashion Week. The sub-synth hits every downbeat at a pace that is similar to a fashion model’s catwalk as they strut up and down the walkway. And this is the tone they set you up with for Le Sserafim’s entire concept – fearlessness.
Let’s be honest here – after the first listen, No one is coming back to listen to this track. It’s an intro track. Who listens to intro tracks on the regular? Not me. But the thing is, this is one that you shouldn’t ignore. If you want to understand this group’s music, their concept, and their identity, then this track will hand all of that to you. To be fearless and go against what is expected of them, it’s in their name after all.
2. FEARLESS
If the first track was telling you what this group is about, then their title track showed you. This funk-based pop track has an addictive melody that is guaranteed to get stuck in your head and it will have you humming it out a few seconds after listening to it. This whole song’s groove is carried by a thumping bass guitar and is featured prominently along with the girls’ crisp and strong vocals.
To continue the theme, from track 01, the lyrics in “Fearless” talk about the girls’ desire to reach their goals and will stop at nothing until they reach them. This song exudes confidence. So much in fact, humility might not even be in their vocabulary. Heo Yunjin sings a line saying “Acting like I’m humble, that’s done”, followed by Kazuha’s line “Bring me my forever win/Number 1 on my chest”. I love the attitude they bring in this song, and even though this is only their first release, they already have me believing that they can be a top tier girl group.
Fearless is easily my favorite track on this album and has earned its spot on my regular rotation. The opening bars ran in a constant loop in my head. Some people get annoyed when that happens, but for this song in particular, I welcomed it. I also found myself marching around to the song's tempo wherever I went. It’s that addicting.
3. Blue Flame
My second favorite song in the album goes to “Blue Flame”. A song about being strongly attracted to someone as if they were being led by a will-o’-the-wisp to said person. In folklore around the world, a will-o’-the-wisp can be a mythical creature or a spiritual entity that can lead you to your goal, whether that be treasure, a new land, or even a loved one. A will-o’-of-the-wisp is often described as a blue flame, hence the name of the song, but depending on the region where the story is told from, can appear in another shape or form.
While this is another funk-pop track, it has an entirely different feel from the song that preceded it. The mood here is very light and has a groove that will make you want to dance. Feelings of a bright and slightly breezy summer day come to mind while listening to “Blue Flame”. Their vocals lend to the airy feeling of this song with their clean tone and clear falsetto that doesn’t ring too harshly on the ears.
This is a song that I keep coming back to and since its release. If i wasn’t listening or humming to “Fearless”, then you would hear “Blue Flame” coming out of my speakers. And just like the album’s title track, this song found its way into my daily routines; while I'm making tea in the morning, playing with my dogs in the afternoon, and while brushing my teeth before bed, I’m grooving to the funky bass line. This is another song of theirs that deserves time in any playlist.
4. The Great Mermaid
A song of independence, “The Great Mermaid” provides strong vocals by Huh Yunjin and Kim Chaewon. The other members sound good here as well, but unfortunately, their voices take a backseat to the stronger vocalists of the group. This song also has driving melodic synths, just like in “The World is My Oyster”, but this time around, they are more upbeat.
While I was heavy with praise for the two previous songs, I’m going to hold it back a little for this one. This isn’t to say the song is bad. It’s a good song, but nothing to write home about. It just isn’t my cup of tea and is a reason why my review for “The Great Mermaid” is much shorter than the others.
5. Sour Grapes
Now “Sour Grapes” is more up my alley – both the song and the actual fruit. An R&B track with pop strings and trap drums, is a stark contrast of what we heard earlier in the album – both sound-wise and lyrically. The instrumental is more laid back with vocals that are light and airy.
The lyrics talk about the singers being hesitant on pursuing love because they are unsure of what is ahead if they due and are afraid to get hurt. This is a total 180 of their persona from before. But I think this is to show that Le Sserafim have different sides to them: one side is them being strong, independent, and confident, while the other is sensitive and cautious. Through this song, they are showing us that while they have a tough exterior, they can also be vulnerable.
“Sour Grapes” never gets skipped when it comes on and every time I hear it, I find something new that I like about it, whether that be the vocal ad libs or another instrument I haven’t heard during a previous listen. This song is very easy to listen to and it could be for you if you need something to relax, study, or work to.
Summary
To wrap it up, I’m giving this album a 4 out of 5. I really enjoyed this album and found myself coming back to it everyday to listen to it in full (except for “The World is My Oyster.” You know why). “Fearless” is a song that will just get stuck in your head due to the addictive bass line and catchy, easy to sing chorus; “Blue Flames” will have you dance from one of the room to another; “The Great Mermaid” will leave you motivated to tackle that errand you’ve been putting off for weeks, and “Sour Grapes” will probably have you postpone that errand until tomorrow since the song is so relaxing.
I may be jumping the gun here, but this has to be one of the best debut songs by a 4th generation girl group. And that’s coming from a big Itzy fan. I’ll even go as far to say that I think Le Sserafim deserves to be Rookie of the Year. I initially held the thought of Ive taking it, since “Eleven” and “Love Dive” were amazing songs, but after hearing this album, Le Sserafim makes a solid case on why they have rights to that award. If they can put out another solid release or two like this, then there’s no doubt in my mind the award is theirs.