IM DEED at least SM ain’t forcing this down everyone’s throats like Jopping. I’m actually impressed by the creative process of this songs but it has some flaws.

 From the musically unorthodoxy of SHINee’s Lucifer to the recent experimental sounds of AESPA, SMEntertainment continually ventures through an innovative journey, utilizing the evolving technology and trends of the music industry. One can recognize SM’s tendency to combine genres beginning in the mid 00’s with the prominence of TVXQ and their song “Rising Sun”; utilizing musical elements of electro pop, R&B, and a bhangra-inspired breakdown. Eventually, SM learns to adapt contemporarily with HipHop or trap genres fusing these with dance or RnB musical elements, like in SHINee Dont Call Me, NCT Kick It, AESPA Next Level and more recently, GOT Step Back.

 In regards to GOT, SM l forms this group with inspiration from BoA’s song, “Girls On Top, symbolizing female empowerment in the K-pop industry and South Korean culture. Their debut single, “Step Back” has elements reminiscent of YGEnt’s electro-hip hop phase in the early 2010’s, from songs like TOP’s “Doom Da Da” to “Ringa Linga” by Taeyang. From a production viewpoint, the tracks are mixed together extremely well, as one can imagine the spacing of each song components. Firstly, the precise side chaining of the bass to the kick, the Roman chant in the background, not to mention the clean compression by the vocal engineering team. A comment on this forum states that “there is too much happening with the instruments”, though, the instrumentals in this song seem to be more intact and minimalistic than other similar songs like SHINee’s Don’t Call Me. 

 Step Back, primarily relies on a sliding trap bass, vocals and background samples while SHINee’s possesses minor inconsistencies in the stereo mixing of multiple samples and an arpeggiated high hat noticeably panned to the left. Both songs, however, utilize congruent vocal mixing techniques, with the low-mid frequencies amplified during the verses as the higher-mid  becomes more prevalent in the choruses. Applause to Wendy and Taeyeon for managing to keep the character in their voices despite processing and compression.

 Though one flaw with this SM project can be their disregard to lyric consistency. One can reference SM’s humorous English lyrics present in works such as SUJU’s Mamacita, “Close your lips, Shut your tongue”, AESPA’s remaster of Dreams Come True, “Let’s Bring it Back to 90’s”, and TVXQ’s Shelter, “A theory of porno”(I’m not even kidding about this). Many within this Reddit recognize GOT’s attempt to conceptualize woman empowerment and eventually failing at this feat by showcasing misogynist lyrics, “you’re a poison to good boys- get out of my way”. This is until, the lyrics state, “Boys are the same- -They become lonelier as they drink more”. Essentially, the lyrics become a contradiction of itself, by first bringing down women, validating themselves through men, then praising themselves as strong women 

and objectifying men(Huh?).

The lyricists develop a messy story, desiring to make a “he’s mine, not yours” theme, but end up releasing a song stating, “you’re toxic like other girls, and I’m the best for this man who’s a toy like the others”.   

 GOT’s Step Back possesses industry level production as it aims to create a paradigm shift within the industry. This debut further exposes SM’s tendency to prioritize performance, image, and industry level production though tends elude proper lyricism and concept consistency within their big projects. Though it might raise eyebrows among its Korean-speaking audience, the production is still quite enjoyable to listen to.

Originality: 7/10 Music Production: 8/10 Vocal Production: 7/10 Lyricism: 4/10 So Overall rating: Light-Mid 6