‘Even more masterpieces’ Espa‘s 2 albums to be released as New Year’s LPs
Espa, which hit it big with the so-called ‘All-in-One’ which also features CDP, has announced that both of their albums released this year will be released as ‘LP versions’. Photo courtesy of SM Entertainment
Will aespa‘s sincerity, which they also put into ‘hardware’, lead to another ‘sold-out crisis’?
Aespa, who hit it big with their all-in-one album that even included a physical CD and a player (CDP), will be releasing an LP early next year. LP, short for Long Playing Record, is a product that used to be called a gramophone record. Riding the ‘retro craze’ that is also blowing in the pop music industry, it has been specially produced only for some albums that have succeeded in becoming mega hits.
Aespa’s LP version, which even increases the ‘collection value’ due to the appearance of the LP itself, is scheduled to be applied to two albums and introduced. They are the ‘masterpieces’ that formed ‘espa‘s world’ with one in the first and second half of the year, respectively, and their first full-length album ‘Armageddon’ which includes ‘Supernova’ and their fifth mini-album with ‘Whiplash’ as the title.
When ‘Armageddon’ was released, aespa experienced an unusual ‘sold-out crisis’ by releasing an ‘all-in-one album’ which included the actual CD and CDP. After going through the uproar of being ‘sold out’ in an instant, the album quickly rose to the ranks of a so-called ‘hot item’ on some used goods sites, and even rose to the ranks of rare items that ‘can only be ‘obtained’ for a considerable premium.
‘Espa Version’ LP cover image. Photo courtesy of SM Entertainment
In conjunction with this, the CDP version of ‘Armageddon’ was additionally released in the form of pre-orders ‘three times’, but it was not enough to satisfy the overwhelming demand.
Espa, who released both albums this year as LPs with high collection value like ‘medals’, are at the peak of their career with the success of what is acknowledged as a ‘triple mega hit’.
With ‘Armageddon’, the group showcased the essence of their unique musical color, ‘iron-flavored sound’. Espa also succeeded in expanding their genre horizons by releasing the EDM-based ‘Whiplash’ in the second half of the year, taking advantage of the momentum. Above all, ‘Supernova’ has become a true ‘pop song’ recognized by people of all ages.
Reporter Heo Min-nyeong mignon@donga.com
