Aespa
's third EP,
My World
, is an absolute breath of fresh air in the K-pop realm, expanding the possibilities of sound and mood within the genre on a short but exciting half-dozen tracks. From the surprisingly cinematic scope of opening song and lead single "Welcome to My World" (featuring SMCU's
Naevis
on backing vocals) -- which transports with soaring vocals, restraint, and a heart-pounding slow build -- to the tender, acoustic guitar-based closing ballad "'Til We Meet Again,"
provides enough proof that this crew can do anything. The most rousing moments on the EP arrive with the one-two punch of the electro-dance "Spicy" and the flirtatious, bass-heavy "Salty & Sweet," which could have been
Pussycat Dolls
songs from an alternate, mid-2000s universe. "Thirsty" provides a smooth, alt-R&B cooldown, setting up the bittersweet, midtempo "I'm Unhappy." While not as raucous or immediate as 2021's
Savage
,
builds upon the promise of 2022's
Girls
, tightening up the focus and delivering an exciting peek at
's future. ~ Neil Z. Yeung