Memoria should be top 5 but, with the rest of the Japanese album bombing out before the top 30, I fear for her.
GFRIEND - the discography rate ☾ #14
- Thread starter junglefish
- Start date
he/him
The streets are saying that MAGO is probably not gonna be cut out yet but it definitely should and you can fucking duck me all you want!!!
he/him
The streets are saying that MAGO is probably not gonna be cut out yet but it definitely should and you can fucking duck me all you want!!!
he/him
The streets are saying that MAGO is probably not gonna be cut out yet but it definitely should and you can fucking duck me all you want!!!
You can take that opinion on a long walk off a short bridge, bestie.
he/him
The streets are saying that MAGO is probably not gonna be cut out yet but it definitely should and you can fucking duck me all you want!!!
Well...
We're not eliminating a single today.
The flowers bloom in different seasons
It's your time now
8.846
Buddies: 10x8 (@eatyourself, @boom bazooka joe, @RUNAWAY, @Crisp X, @soratami, @eliminathan, @vague, @Music Is Life & Death) 9.5x4 (@ysev, @junglefish, @thommyh, @Cotton Park) 9x4 (@Slice of Life, @Serg., @Vixen, @savilizabeths)
Antis: 5x1 (@Attis) 7x1 (@Monado) 7.25x1 (@Wills)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 10
@savilizabeths: 9
5 voters: 55
10 voters: 30
15 voters: 25
20 voters: 24
26 voters: 28
10 voters: 30
15 voters: 25
20 voters: 24
26 voters: 28
And just like that, we say goodbye to the last unit song of the rate and by far the best of the bunch. I just know Sowon and Umji put on a red flamenco dress, a red rose in their hair, entered the recording booth and decided to channel their inner Hwasa. On that blessed day, they were both latinas.
Look, I know Better Me is a basic bop, but I'm a sucker for K-Pop's interpretation of latin pop. It's always so on the nose but it just works and Better Me is no different. It's a delicious little song and I'm honestly a bit sad about eliminating it today. Produced and written by members of the production team 13 (Megatone, SCORE and Luke) plus Umji and Sowon, Better Me is based on the two girls' experiences of finding who they are and coming into their own. The lyrics are actually beautiful. At first I read them as another love song but knowing how personal the track is to Sowon and Umji gives it a whole other meaning. Both of them have often been derided by fans and non-fans alike, Sowon for her lack of vocal talent and Umji for not looking like your typical idol, so it's really nice to see how confident they've become, how they've managed to find their own colors after so many years of not feeling completely adequate. The repeated line 'I like me better now' echoes as two women who've finally managed to get rid of their insecurities and doubts, who've finally found their place in the world. Very nice.
Now, I realize this goes a little against the message of the song but I have to say it. Umji owns the song. I'm not saying Sowon doesn't do Better Me justice, but Umji simply... dominates. Just listen to her vocals, so sultry, just look at the performance linked below... The charisma, the beauty, the talent! It's amazing to see how confident GFRIEND's very own maknae has become, it makes me feel like a proud mother. I can only dream of what she'll deliver if she goes solo one day.
@eatyourself (10) : I love how this is sexy and provocative in vibe but the lyrics are so sincere and vulnerable. A fresh approach to this kind of song.
@M24 (8.25) : This is the best of the subunit songs in Walpurgis Night, so sexy and smooth! Both Umji and Sowon really slayed, I loved their performance too!
@Attis (5) : I'm sorry but Sowon vocals isn't for me and this song has abundant of it.
@Crisp X (10) : In an alternate timeline, this would’ve been a successful title track performed by the entire group. One of their most unique songs, and a favorite of mine too.
@Wills (7.25) : It was good of Kitler to reflect and return with a Better Me.
The first of the three singles leaving before the top 20 vacates next!
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he/him
This is a fucked up elimination. All 3 of these subunit tracks sent home too soon.
he/him
he/him
Please don't think I like being controversial, I absolutely don't. With that said, Crossroads, Luv Star, From Me and Bye can leave.
CROSSROADS FINALLY?!?!?!
I'm tired of asking for Crossroads to leave. Please leave!!!!!
Whichever road I take
They all turn into you
8.865
Buddies: 11x1 (@aux) 10x9 (@codecat, @ysev, @Attis, @RUNAWAY, @soratami, @thommyh, @BEST FICTION, @Monado, @Music Is Life & Death) 9.75x1 (@eliminathan) 9.5x1 (@Crisp X)
Antis: 3x1 (@eatyourself) 6x1 (@Cotton Park) 7x1 (@Serg.)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 8.5
@savilizabeths: 8
5 voters: 49
10 voters: 45
15 voters: 28
20 voters: 30
26 voters: 27
10 voters: 45
15 voters: 28
20 voters: 30
26 voters: 27
Yes, Crossroads is out before the top 20. The title track of GFRIEND's eighth mini album '回:Labyrinth', leading the group's second and last trilogy, leaves us and I know it's gonna make a lot of people mad, especially @aux who loses his 11! @eatyourself you better hide!
To be perfectly honest, I'm not upset at this elimination. Crossroads is a good song, there's no doubt about it. It's also one of the rare GFRIEND tracks where the melody doesn't come to me as soon as I read its title. Do you know what I start humming when I think of Crossroads? Sunrise. And that's my big problem with this song, it comes after Time for the Moon Night and Sunrise.
Now, I know what you buddies are gonna think... Am I not doing exactly what I've complained about for so long? Implying that GFRIEND release the same song over and over? Well, the answer is no! I mean. Maybe? Nah. Not really. See, when people used to say that about the group during the School Trilogy, I was always confused. Sure, Glass Bead, Me Gustas Tu and Rough share some elements but to me, those three songs are completely different from one another. It's obvious they belong to the same story, but they all are different chapters of that story. When it comes to Crossroads, one word comes to mind: formulaic. At that point, I wanted them to surprise me and this unfortunately didn't do it. I like the song, I really do, but I think they should have gone the WJSN route: release a song that sounds like your past singles BUT make it an album track! Lead your album with something different AND please your longtime fans by having something familiar on the album. Everybody's happy!
One thing I do like a lot about Crossroads is how it almost sounds like something Sakurazaka46 could have released. It's imbued with the moodiness and melancholy that have been the Japanese group's trademark since their debut. It only needs a little more drama and approximately 30 out-of-tune girls to really reach those heights. I'm sure HYBE could have raided their trainees' dorms but alas, it wasn't mean to be. Still, No Joo-hwan and Lee Won-jong did a good job and the combination of the melody, the arrangments and the lyrics manage to perfectly translate what it feels like to be at a crossroads in your life. Speaking of the lyrics, they're the highlight of Crossroads for me. I love how succint they are and to the point while still being beautiful and poetic. I particularly like this part:
Lost in longing
I’m standing still
Going back and forth
Lingering on
See what I'm talking about? Simple, but beautiful and effective. You know exactly what Sowon and Yerin are singing about there. I love that.
I can't finish this writeup without talking about the video... I'm gonna try and keep it brief but yeah, it's possibly their best ever? How hasn't Miss Yuyu bagged any leading lady roles after that PERFORMANCE? Ah! Ah! She's acting. When she chases after Umji in their dingy but very stylish little apartment??? I got goosebumps! Umji also did a fabulous job by the way. Then you've got Sowon in the back of a cab, tears slowly falling on that stunning face of hers. The cinematography, the sets, the costumes, everything is fantastic. That's not a music video, that's cinema okay? Plus we get some fanservice with a Fingertip hommage? Please. Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook both retired after watching Crossroads because they knew cinema had peaked and what's the point in trying to beat perfection?
Let's now see what you buddies had to say about our elimination of the day:
@eatyourself (3) : I honestly pretend this song doesn't exist ddd. I hate the video, I hate the production, I hate how whoever produced this thought they were doing something. It's mindboggling that they went from this to their most daring and creative form on the next comeback.
@ysev (10) : Sad Gfriend songs simply hit the most and this goes full on MELODRAMA. The MV is one of their bests (if not their best) as well. Yujyl Streep and Umjianne Moore are such inspiring women.
@M24 (8) : I'm not sure what fans thought of this comeback, especially given that Labyrinth was kept as a bside. My opinion is that it's a nice song, quintessentially Gfriend, and while it's a grower, it doesn't stand out compared to their songs of the same vibe. The lyrics definitely hit different after their disbandment (and the MV too, given that they were "fighting"... gosh, Yuju letting go of Umji's hand is so symbolic of the fact she didn't join Viviz). Anyway, even if I enjoy the song now, they were playing it safe by choosing this as a single, and I'm glad they didn't in their last two releases.
@Attis (10) : My favorite out of the Joohwan trilogy. Idk why this one is more special, maybe it's the melody ? The simplicity ? The mood ?
@Slice of Life (9) : Still very good… but Labyrinth outsold!
@Wills (8.75) : I didn’t give this a fair shake upon release, but a) it was TFTMN 6.0 or something and b) I had mono at the time, so can you really blame me? Anyway it’s great!
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he/him
@junglefish revive Summer Rain you whore
he/him
He/Him
I think your writeup did this song justice @junglefish, but I had to be bitter it's just who I am!!
she/her
Being a good rate host and liking some of these thread replies is...actively painful.
That said, I will be back to deliver the next elimination soon.
That said, I will be back to deliver the next elimination soon.
she/her
I feel the trembling within you when I touch you
Oh you, do you know that?
8.884
Buddies: 10x6 (@eatyourself @RUNAWAY @aux @thommyh @Cotton Park @Music Is Life & Death) 9.75x1 (@codecat) 9.5x2 (@Attis @Slice of Life) 9.25x2 (@junglefish @savilizabeths)
Antis: 7x2 (@Wills @soratami)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 9.25
@savilizabeths: 9.25
5 voters: 11
10 voters: 12
15 voters: 27
20 voters: 22
26 voters: 26
10 voters: 12
15 voters: 27
20 voters: 22
26 voters: 26
Fever Season loses it's final b-side today, making the title track 'Fever' the final song standing to represent the mini album in this rate. How do we feel about this, Buddies? 'Wish' was written and composed by production group Mospick, a team responsible for several songs I absolutely love including IZ*ONE's 'La Vie En Rose', TWICE's 'Espresso', Purple Kiss' 'ZzZz' and YUKIKA's 'I Feel Love'. They also contirbuted another song to GFriend, 'GRWM' which is pretty beloved on this forum so hopefully we won't see it's exit anytime soon!
Do I think this is the correct last b-side to fall from Fever Season? You know what? Yeah! I said in my last Fever Season post for 'Mr. Blue' that I think I should have scored this one higher and I stand by that still. If it couldn't be cute girl bop 'Smile', 'Wish' easily deserved this victory. It's quite a simple song I feel, but not in a bad way at all. It's just a wonderfully solid track. It's not trying to be anything revolutionary, but it's great at what it does. Which is bop! It's incredibly catchy, full of melodic hooks that get stuck in my head. That "wish, wish, wish" part is so sweet and laced with something addictive that leaves me singing it to myself constantly. In fact it reminds me a little of the "smile smile deo" hook in 'Smile' with the way it has it's hooks in me. I love it!
The official company given description of the song calls the beat "sophisticated" which I actually agree with. For a song where the lyrics are pretty simple and sing of wishing and hoping for their love story with someone, it feels very mature and put together. The girls sail over the track effortlessly. Everything feels like it becomes one, the instrumentation, melodies and vocals all complimenting each other so well. It's not a song where I focus on any particular members vocal performance. It's not a Yuju song or an Eunha song, it feels like the girls are one and they sound gorgeous together. If I had to pick out a standout though, it might be Umji even just for her breathy, almost smoky delivery on the first half of the bridge! I love the way she sounds there! I also love SinB's little spoken bit at the end of the second verse. She's so captivating!
Another part I love is the instrumentation of the second verse. It's similar to the rest of the song and pulls back, like the first verse does but there's a thicker, bass-y, thumping beat sprinkled in. I feel it in my chest and it really elevates it. The second verse feels sexier, between that and the SinB spoken moment I mentioned above.
All in all, I think we did pretty justice to Fever Season. Do I still feel like I enjoy the album less than most fans? Yeah. Do I wish 'Smile' had lasted longer? Obviously. But I think, overall, we demonstrated good taste and we should celebrate that. Place your bets on how much longer 'Fever' lasts in the replies!
@soratami (10) : I've long been dead inside but this is one of the songs that make me starry eyed like a child.
@M24 (9) : This song is full of hooks, I love it. I think it's very underrated, because I've heard more fans talk about Mr Blue and Paradise rather than this one and Smile. Hope I'm proven wrong and the latter outlast the former.
@Wills (7) : The beat has a nice snap to it and the “wish wish wish” bit is cute, but this feels inessential by their standards
he/him
At that time I, no, we were so pretty
I miss everything I’ve forgotten
8.923
Buddies: 10x8 (@RUNAWAY, @Slice of Life, @Crisp X, @Wills, @KimLippington, @Monado, @nikkysan, @savilizabeths) 9.5x5 (@boom bazooka joe, @junglefish, @eliminathan, @vague, @Music Is Life & Death) 9x2 (@thommyh, @Remorque)
Antis: 7x1 (@Serg.) 7.5x4 (@ysev, @M24, @aux, @Vixen)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 9.5
@savilizabeths: 10
5 voters: 59
10 voters: 36
15 voters: 34
20 voters: 27
26 voters: 25
10 voters: 36
15 voters: 34
20 voters: 27
26 voters: 25
Leaving us at #25 is Here We Are, the third track of the Labyrinth album. It... really feels like Here We Are should have closed the album? I don't know, to me, it's such a grandiose track, so dramatic, that it feels fitting to have it end an album that felt in a lot of ways like a true new chapter in GFRIEND's career, not just another comeback. But that's just me rambling because ultimately it's not its position on Labyrinth's tracklist that matters, but the one it reached in this rate!
Composed by regular GFRIEND collaborators Noh Joo-hwan and Lee Won-jong with help from Kim Jung-woo, FRANTS, Jung Ho-hyun, 13 and minGtion (it takes a village to write a power ballad!), Here We Are is one of those songs I've always loved but never gave it much thought until I read the lyrics. I find them so beautiful that it almost hurts a little. Other than the ones I've highlighted above, the chorus' lyrics are gorgeous :
Here we are
In a place where we were most beautiful
Here we are
In a place where all our seasons are
Here we are
In a place where it’s perfect
In that place at that time
I want to tell you all about me
There's something that's so definite about those lines. Remembering how things were, wanting to tell that someone you used to know all about your life as it is now, but knowing it won't happen and all that's left are the memories. Of course, they also take a whole other meaning knowing that GFRIEND was more or less a year away from disbandment when Labyrinth was released.
About the song itself, like I said, it has that grandiose and dramatic feeling that makes it an absolute perfect song to close a set, like they did during their online concert G C:ON. I really appreciate the softer moments in this track, like the melody of the opening and closing notes that I find stunning. I almost wish the entire song sounded just as delicate, but then it would have been an entirely different thing. One thing I really dislike though is the bridge with those "na-na-na's". If someone had edited them out maybe I'd have given Here We Are a 10!
You buddies were really chatty this time! Good! Let's see what you thought of our eliminated song:
@eatyourself (8) : So painful. They didn't have the right!
@M24 (7.5) : That pre-chorus packs so much intensity, I love it! My only gripe with the song is that the chorus seems to suit Eunha and Umji much more than Yuju and Yerin, but that's a personal, biased opinion which I'm not sure I can justify. I don't know, something about their vocal delivery sounds a little brash for me there.
@Slice of Life (10) : My favourite GFriend b-side ever!!! There’s just something about that chorus that makes me cry all the fucking time FFFFFF! Tempted to give this my 11 but no, I have to ensure my actual 11’s win! I hope this doesn’t do too badly though!
@Crisp X (10) : Flashback to the performance at their final online concert when the screen suddenly showed faces of a swarm of international fans and the group started bawling. Knowing the context, this is probably one of those K-Pop moments that’ll stay on my mind forever. What an euphoric chorus.
@Wills (10) : Best song on a great album.
@KimLippington (10) : Umji’s post-chorus/Sowon’s outro are so pretty. It would have been a perfect concert closer :(.
she/her
Someone loses their 11 today....
It's me.
Come fly here and tell me, oh my sweet Romeo
Can't hide my heart, drive me crazy
8.961
Buddies: 11x1 (@savilizabeths) 10x8 (@KimLippington @Serg. @aux @RUNAWAY @Slice of Life @Attis @codecat @ysev) 9.25x1 (@thommyh) 9x4 (@Crisp X @Vixen @Music Is Life & Death @Remorque)
Antis: 5x1 (@eatyourself) 7.5x1 (@vague) 8x2 (@soratami @Cotton Park)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 8.25
@savilizabeths: 11
I don't want to do this, but I must. The day has come for me to eliminate my 11, the addictive 'Love Bug'. I'm glad she made it this far!
Despite a small debate, I knew from the start which GFriend song would be awarded my extra point. I made the right choice too considering the other two ('Click' & 'Night Drive'), not unexpectedly at all, left earlier. It seems you all agree with me that 'Love Bug' is an incredible little b-side and I'm so pleased that it earned a well deserved place in the top 25 of the official GFriend discography rate! Also, a little history lesson. The KPJSOTY rate this competed in was my first ever rate on this forum. 'Love Bug' came 88th and I gave it a score of 9.75. I was wrong for that but also my fellow rate host gave it a score of 10 and failed to deliver that same energy here. I feel so betrayed!
'Love Bug' is a b-side from my absolute favourite GFriend album, Time for the Moon Night. It's lyrics were written by singer-songwriter Seo Ji-eum who has written hits for fromis_9, Oh My Girl, IVE, Red Velvet and more. The track was composed by David Amber (LOONA 'Satellite', fromis_9 'Love Bomb', TWICE 'Yes or Yes'), Andy Love (TXT 'Loser/Lover', TWICE 'Yes or Yes') and Ryan S. Jhun (We all know him, he needs no introduction). Every single of of these people has had a hand in at least one song I absolutely adore. Some of my all time favourite kpop songs have been made with the help of this team, so it's no wonder that 'Love Bug' is my favourite GFriend song. David Amber actually has a TikTok talking about an aspect of making this song, it's a really interesting watch, as are all of his videos.
God, 'Love Bug' is such a special song. It's a whirlwind really. It does everything it needs to do and a million times more. The composers really didn't hold back and threw everything they could into this. It's just so exciting to listen to! There's always something happening. Obviously it's a very cute song, haters might even call it saccharine but the track feels so unique that it's worth the toothache, right? It's interesting, layered, a journey and not every aegyo filled Kpop song gives us that. I love a good key change and that's a good thing here because 'Love Bug' enjoys them just as much as I do. It's like the writers couldn't decide what key the song should be in and just decided to use all of them. I love that! The slow, delicate intro bursting into the upbeat dance track is so much fun, especially with those record scratches! The instrumentation is so bright and twinkling. I always find something new catching my attention when I listen to it. On my current listen I am drawn in by the background vocals, especially on the pre-chorus. The "uh huh" parts are so fun and the "ahh's" building up to the chorus too! I also really enjoy the harmonies on the chorus. I don't know why but they sound really unique. There are just so many LAYERS here!
The lyrics are cute but nothing too interesting. The official song description says that they are "cute lyrics that make you feel as if you are talking to him by comparing your feelings of just falling in love to a firefly secretly visiting late at night." Well, I don't know about that but I do know that Umji singing "Kiss my quick, my Romeo" heals a part of my soul every time I hear it! Say what you will about Unnie Sowon's rap part (I like it) but her delivery of "Oh my sweet Romeo" is absolute perfection. This is a song made for Eunha and Umji's sweet vocals, Eunha sounding especially angelic. All the girls are amazing though. Yuju really adds some depth if the sugar-y aspects aren't for you and Yerin is so charming with her "l-l-l-love bug" parts!
I could go on and on incoherently, but I will save you from that. I genuinely just think this is a perfect little song and it brightens my day up every time without fail. I'm so glad they performed it on music shows for a week. I agree with the two comments below that say it should have gotten the title track treatment (not instead of TFTMN though). It's so special to me and I thank you all for letting it make the top 25!
@eatyourself (5) : What I love about Gfriend is that they are always able to be innocent/cute without coming accross as obnoxious. This is not one the rare cases where they aren't.
@M24 (8.75) : This should've been the title track! Such a catchy chorus, very Twice-like. I especially love Eunha's "diamonds in my head" line, her voice fits the style here more than Yuju's. The choreo is pretty good too!
@ysev (10) : Invented avant garde pop. Surprising, left-field, experimental und unexpected twists left and right. I know Björk and Arca are seething somewhere.
@Crisp X (9) : The way this can’t commit to a key and keeps everchanging… their minds
@Slice of Life (10) : Should’ve been reserved as the summer single over Sunny Summer!!!!
@Wills (8.25) : Not sure why I was so cranky about this back in KSOTY, it’s cute!
@KimLippington (10) : It might just be the DJ scratches but there’s something very APink about this to me which of course is a massive compliment. One of their best b-sides.
It's me.
Come fly here and tell me, oh my sweet Romeo
Can't hide my heart, drive me crazy
8.961
Buddies: 11x1 (@savilizabeths) 10x8 (@KimLippington @Serg. @aux @RUNAWAY @Slice of Life @Attis @codecat @ysev) 9.25x1 (@thommyh) 9x4 (@Crisp X @Vixen @Music Is Life & Death @Remorque)
Antis: 5x1 (@eatyourself) 7.5x1 (@vague) 8x2 (@soratami @Cotton Park)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 8.25
@savilizabeths: 11
5 voters: 35
10 voters: 28
15 voters: 22
20 voters: 24
26 voters: 24
10 voters: 28
15 voters: 22
20 voters: 24
26 voters: 24
I don't want to do this, but I must. The day has come for me to eliminate my 11, the addictive 'Love Bug'. I'm glad she made it this far!
Despite a small debate, I knew from the start which GFriend song would be awarded my extra point. I made the right choice too considering the other two ('Click' & 'Night Drive'), not unexpectedly at all, left earlier. It seems you all agree with me that 'Love Bug' is an incredible little b-side and I'm so pleased that it earned a well deserved place in the top 25 of the official GFriend discography rate! Also, a little history lesson. The KPJSOTY rate this competed in was my first ever rate on this forum. 'Love Bug' came 88th and I gave it a score of 9.75. I was wrong for that but also my fellow rate host gave it a score of 10 and failed to deliver that same energy here. I feel so betrayed!
'Love Bug' is a b-side from my absolute favourite GFriend album, Time for the Moon Night. It's lyrics were written by singer-songwriter Seo Ji-eum who has written hits for fromis_9, Oh My Girl, IVE, Red Velvet and more. The track was composed by David Amber (LOONA 'Satellite', fromis_9 'Love Bomb', TWICE 'Yes or Yes'), Andy Love (TXT 'Loser/Lover', TWICE 'Yes or Yes') and Ryan S. Jhun (We all know him, he needs no introduction). Every single of of these people has had a hand in at least one song I absolutely adore. Some of my all time favourite kpop songs have been made with the help of this team, so it's no wonder that 'Love Bug' is my favourite GFriend song. David Amber actually has a TikTok talking about an aspect of making this song, it's a really interesting watch, as are all of his videos.
God, 'Love Bug' is such a special song. It's a whirlwind really. It does everything it needs to do and a million times more. The composers really didn't hold back and threw everything they could into this. It's just so exciting to listen to! There's always something happening. Obviously it's a very cute song, haters might even call it saccharine but the track feels so unique that it's worth the toothache, right? It's interesting, layered, a journey and not every aegyo filled Kpop song gives us that. I love a good key change and that's a good thing here because 'Love Bug' enjoys them just as much as I do. It's like the writers couldn't decide what key the song should be in and just decided to use all of them. I love that! The slow, delicate intro bursting into the upbeat dance track is so much fun, especially with those record scratches! The instrumentation is so bright and twinkling. I always find something new catching my attention when I listen to it. On my current listen I am drawn in by the background vocals, especially on the pre-chorus. The "uh huh" parts are so fun and the "ahh's" building up to the chorus too! I also really enjoy the harmonies on the chorus. I don't know why but they sound really unique. There are just so many LAYERS here!
The lyrics are cute but nothing too interesting. The official song description says that they are "cute lyrics that make you feel as if you are talking to him by comparing your feelings of just falling in love to a firefly secretly visiting late at night." Well, I don't know about that but I do know that Umji singing "Kiss my quick, my Romeo" heals a part of my soul every time I hear it! Say what you will about Unnie Sowon's rap part (I like it) but her delivery of "Oh my sweet Romeo" is absolute perfection. This is a song made for Eunha and Umji's sweet vocals, Eunha sounding especially angelic. All the girls are amazing though. Yuju really adds some depth if the sugar-y aspects aren't for you and Yerin is so charming with her "l-l-l-love bug" parts!
I could go on and on incoherently, but I will save you from that. I genuinely just think this is a perfect little song and it brightens my day up every time without fail. I'm so glad they performed it on music shows for a week. I agree with the two comments below that say it should have gotten the title track treatment (not instead of TFTMN though). It's so special to me and I thank you all for letting it make the top 25!
@eatyourself (5) : What I love about Gfriend is that they are always able to be innocent/cute without coming accross as obnoxious. This is not one the rare cases where they aren't.
@M24 (8.75) : This should've been the title track! Such a catchy chorus, very Twice-like. I especially love Eunha's "diamonds in my head" line, her voice fits the style here more than Yuju's. The choreo is pretty good too!
@ysev (10) : Invented avant garde pop. Surprising, left-field, experimental und unexpected twists left and right. I know Björk and Arca are seething somewhere.
@Crisp X (9) : The way this can’t commit to a key and keeps everchanging… their minds
@Slice of Life (10) : Should’ve been reserved as the summer single over Sunny Summer!!!!
@Wills (8.25) : Not sure why I was so cranky about this back in KSOTY, it’s cute!
@KimLippington (10) : It might just be the DJ scratches but there’s something very APink about this to me which of course is a massive compliment. One of their best b-sides.
I feel the trembling within you when I touch you
Oh you, do you know that?
8.884
Buddies: 10x6 (@eatyourself @RUNAWAY @aux @thommyh @Cotton Park @Music Is Life & Death) 9.75x1 (@codecat) 9.5x2 (@Attis @Slice of Life) 9.25x2 (@junglefish @savilizabeths)
Antis: 7x2 (@Wills @soratami)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 9.25
@savilizabeths: 9.25
5 voters: 11
10 voters: 12
15 voters: 27
20 voters: 22
26 voters: 26
Fever Season loses it's final b-side today, making the title track 'Fever' the final song standing to represent the mini album in this rate. How do we feel about this, Buddies? 'Wish' was written and composed by production group Mospick, a team responsible for several songs I absolutely love including IZ*ONE's 'La Vie En Rose', TWICE's 'Espresso', Purple Kiss' 'ZzZz' and YUKIKA's 'I Feel Love'. They also contirbuted another song to GFriend, 'GRWM' which is pretty beloved on this forum so hopefully we won't see it's exit anytime soon!
Do I think this is the correct last b-side to fall from Fever Season? You know what? Yeah! I said in my last Fever Season post for 'Mr. Blue' that I think I should have scored this one higher and I stand by that still. If it couldn't be cute girl bop 'Smile', 'Wish' easily deserved this victory. It's quite a simple song I feel, but not in a bad way at all. It's just a wonderfully solid track. It's not trying to be anything revolutionary, but it's great at what it does. Which is bop! It's incredibly catchy, full of melodic hooks that get stuck in my head. That "wish, wish, wish" part is so sweet and laced with something addictive that leaves me singing it to myself constantly. In fact it reminds me a little of the "smile smile deo" hook in 'Smile' with the way it has it's hooks in me. I love it!
The official company given description of the song calls the beat "sophisticated" which I actually agree with. For a song where the lyrics are pretty simple and sing of wishing and hoping for their love story with someone, it feels very mature and put together. The girls sail over the track effortlessly. Everything feels like it becomes one, the instrumentation, melodies and vocals all complimenting each other so well. It's not a song where I focus on any particular members vocal performance. It's not a Yuju song or an Eunha song, it feels like the girls are one and they sound gorgeous together. If I had to pick out a standout though, it might be Umji even just for her breathy, almost smoky delivery on the first half of the bridge! I love the way she sounds there! I also love SinB's little spoken bit at the end of the second verse. She's so captivating!
Another part I love is the instrumentation of the second verse. It's similar to the rest of the song and pulls back, like the first verse does but there's a thicker, bass-y, thumping beat sprinkled in. I feel it in my chest and it really elevates it. The second verse feels sexier, between that and the SinB spoken moment I mentioned above.
All in all, I think we did pretty justice to Fever Season. Do I still feel like I enjoy the album less than most fans? Yeah. Do I wish 'Smile' had lasted longer? Obviously. But I think, overall, we demonstrated good taste and we should celebrate that. Place your bets on how much longer 'Fever' lasts in the replies!
@soratami (10) : I've long been dead inside but this is one of the songs that make me starry eyed like a child.
@M24 (9) : This song is full of hooks, I love it. I think it's very underrated, because I've heard more fans talk about Mr Blue and Paradise rather than this one and Smile. Hope I'm proven wrong and the latter outlast the former.
@Wills (7) : The beat has a nice snap to it and the “wish wish wish” bit is cute, but this feels inessential by their standards
Someone loses their 11 today....
It's me.
Come fly here and tell me, oh my sweet Romeo
Can't hide my heart, drive me crazy
8.961
Buddies: 11x1 (@savilizabeths) 10x8 (@KimLippington @Serg. @aux @RUNAWAY @Slice of Life @Attis @codecat @ysev) 9.25x1 (@thommyh) 9x4 (@Crisp X @Vixen @Music Is Life & Death @Remorque)
Antis: 5x1 (@eatyourself) 7.5x1 (@vague) 8x2 (@soratami @Cotton Park)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 8.25
@savilizabeths: 11
5 voters: 35
10 voters: 28
15 voters: 22
20 voters: 24
26 voters: 24
I don't want to do this, but I must. The day has come for me to eliminate my 11, the addictive 'Love Bug'. I'm glad she made it this far!
Despite a small debate, I knew from the start which GFriend song would be awarded my extra point. I made the right choice too considering the other two ('Click' & 'Night Drive'), not unexpectedly at all, left earlier. It seems you all agree with me that 'Love Bug' is an incredible little b-side and I'm so pleased that it earned a well deserved place in the top 25 of the official GFriend discography rate! Also, a little history lesson. The KPJSOTY rate this competed in was my first ever rate on this forum. 'Love Bug' came 88th and I gave it a score of 9.75. I was wrong for that but also my fellow rate host gave it a score of 10 and failed to deliver that same energy here. I feel so betrayed!
'Love Bug' is a b-side from my absolute favourite GFriend album, Time for the Moon Night. It's lyrics were written by singer-songwriter Seo Ji-eum who has written hits for fromis_9, Oh My Girl, IVE, Red Velvet and more. The track was composed by David Amber (LOONA 'Satellite', fromis_9 'Love Bomb', TWICE 'Yes or Yes'), Andy Love (TXT 'Loser/Lover', TWICE 'Yes or Yes') and Ryan S. Jhun (We all know him, he needs no introduction). Every single of of these people has had a hand in at least one song I absolutely adore. Some of my all time favourite kpop songs have been made with the help of this team, so it's no wonder that 'Love Bug' is my favourite GFriend song. David Amber actually has a TikTok talking about an aspect of making this song, it's a really interesting watch, as are all of his videos.
God, 'Love Bug' is such a special song. It's a whirlwind really. It does everything it needs to do and a million times more. The composers really didn't hold back and threw everything they could into this. It's just so exciting to listen to! There's always something happening. Obviously it's a very cute song, haters might even call it saccharine but the track feels so unique that it's worth the toothache, right? It's interesting, layered, a journey and not every aegyo filled Kpop song gives us that. I love a good key change and that's a good thing here because 'Love Bug' enjoys them just as much as I do. It's like the writers couldn't decide what key the song should be in and just decided to use all of them. I love that! The slow, delicate intro bursting into the upbeat dance track is so much fun, especially with those record scratches! The instrumentation is so bright and twinkling. I always find something new catching my attention when I listen to it. On my current listen I am drawn in by the background vocals, especially on the pre-chorus. The "uh huh" parts are so fun and the "ahh's" building up to the chorus too! I also really enjoy the harmonies on the chorus. I don't know why but they sound really unique. There are just so many LAYERS here!
The lyrics are cute but nothing too interesting. The official song description says that they are "cute lyrics that make you feel as if you are talking to him by comparing your feelings of just falling in love to a firefly secretly visiting late at night." Well, I don't know about that but I do know that Umji singing "Kiss my quick, my Romeo" heals a part of my soul every time I hear it! Say what you will about Unnie Sowon's rap part (I like it) but her delivery of "Oh my sweet Romeo" is absolute perfection. This is a song made for Eunha and Umji's sweet vocals, Eunha sounding especially angelic. All the girls are amazing though. Yuju really adds some depth if the sugar-y aspects aren't for you and Yerin is so charming with her "l-l-l-love bug" parts!
I could go on and on incoherently, but I will save you from that. I genuinely just think this is a perfect little song and it brightens my day up every time without fail. I'm so glad they performed it on music shows for a week. I agree with the two comments below that say it should have gotten the title track treatment (not instead of TFTMN though). It's so special to me and I thank you all for letting it make the top 25!
@eatyourself (5) : What I love about Gfriend is that they are always able to be innocent/cute without coming accross as obnoxious. This is not one the rare cases where they aren't.
@M24 (8.75) : This should've been the title track! Such a catchy chorus, very Twice-like. I especially love Eunha's "diamonds in my head" line, her voice fits the style here more than Yuju's. The choreo is pretty good too!
@ysev (10) : Invented avant garde pop. Surprising, left-field, experimental und unexpected twists left and right. I know Björk and Arca are seething somewhere.
@Crisp X (9) : The way this can’t commit to a key and keeps everchanging… their minds
@Slice of Life (10) : Should’ve been reserved as the summer single over Sunny Summer!!!!
@Wills (8.25) : Not sure why I was so cranky about this back in KSOTY, it’s cute!
@KimLippington (10) : It might just be the DJ scratches but there’s something very APink about this to me which of course is a massive compliment. One of their best b-sides.
Naurr I love these, both "Wish wish wish" and "Kiss me quick, my Romeo" are so cunty in sweet, sugary Barbie way.
he/him
Sleep with both eyes open wench.
he/him
My head heats up and messes up my neurons
Love is magic, ma-ma-ma-ma-magic
8.971
Buddies: 11x1 (@thommyh) 10x5 (@junglefish, @RUNAWAY, @Slice of Life, @Cotton Park, @Vixen) 9.75x1 (@eatyourself)
Antis: 7x1 (@Serg.) 7.5x1 (@Attis) 7.75x1 (@KimLippington)
Hosts:
@junglefish: 10
@savilizabeths: 9.5
5 voters: 27
10 voters: 20
15 voters: 33
20 voters: 24
26 voters: 23
10 voters: 20
15 voters: 33
20 voters: 24
26 voters: 23
Aaaaah. One of my absolute favorite GFRIEND b-sides leaves us today. Love Spell, you will be missed.
Produced by frequent SUNMI collaborator FRANTS, who also had a hand in writing it alongside Maria Marcus (YENA's Lemon-Aid, Red Velvet's Sappy, 9MUSES' Love City...), hitman "bang", Mi-seong (formerly of Sunny Hill) and ZNEE (Weki Meki's COOL, ASTRO's Love Wheel...), Love Spell is without a doubt GFRIEND's sexiest song. Not that there are many sexy songs in their repertoire, but this one... Whew. I don't know if it's those guitars in the background, the whistles or the girls' delivery but it sounds like sex! Sawry, I don't wanna be cringe but it's true!
In his commentary, @eatyourself brings up Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot and while I don't think it sounds like the songs thay made together, I totally get that vibe of fun, carefree love from Love Spell. Every time I listen to Love Spell, I feel like I'm transported to the '70s. That kind of vintage rock sound is something that's so unexpected of GFRIEND but works so, so, so well. The girls are bringing it like I've never heard them bring it here. They sound so confident and mature, their delivery so languid and sensual. There's something so lazy about it, in a great way. You can just picture them wearing flared trousers and a flower-patterned silk blouse, dancing langurously to the music, probably under the effect of illicit substances. I don't know if any of you have seen the movie 'The Love Witch' but if you have, you can kinda get what I'm picturing here.
Speaking of witches, it's along with MAGO the song from Walpurgis Night that's most commited to the album's theme. Not only is the song called Love Spell, those hooks make you feel like you're actually under a spell. The lyrics also play on that whole theme and they're great. Like, really great! Possibly some of the group's best lyrics. They convey that feeling of falling head over heels for someone so well, of wanting to slow things down but not being able to because you're just too far gone.
That gaze makes me confused
Your spell drove me crazy
It was like an equation difficult to solve, lo lo lo lo love
I fell in deeper, more more more more more
Love spell, yeah yeah
Sorry but don’t expect anything
Love spell, yeah yeah
Write again, don’t run
Don’t be afraid to get hurt, just bump into it like this
Hold your breath and Ma ma ma ma magic
I wish Love Spell had reached the top 20 but it wasn't meant to be. Still, it's a testament to the girls' talent that after almost seven years and on their very last album, they managed to serve something that was so unique and different in their discography. Boom shakalah!
@thommyh (11) : The chilled out, rockier production here is just so delicious and the song as a whole feels just so decadent. I love that they don't really have another song like this in their discography, but it still totally sounds like them.
@eatyourself (9.75) : I don't know if Serge Gainsbourg is in or out these days but I personally love it. Their little Brigitte Bardot - Harley Davidson bop. The lyrics are among my favorite ever from them.
@M24 (9) : Another of my favorites, this one took some time to grow on me. The hooks aren't so catchy, and they end up taking so much of the song that there's no bridge or final chorus. However, the chorus is still a blast, particularly Eunha's/Yuju's "boom shakalah" and the line right after it, so I still give it a 9.
@Attis (7.5) : It has Xenomania vibes, too bad the song as a whole isn't particularly engaging.
@Slice of Life (10) : This immediately following Mago……. yeah, GFriend really wanted us all dead.
@Wills (9) : One of their coolest tracks, I love how the second half of the chorus sounds like it’s gonna be its own thing, only to then resolve the first part’s melody in a really satisfying way.