aespa‘s comeback is around the corner!
Today, June 1, aespa have announced the title and release day of their new second mini-album. aespa’s highly-anticipated EP is titled Girls and is set to be released on July 8. The EP is led by the single ‘Life’s Too Short’ and it will be released on June 24. aespa performed the English version of the song during their first-ever live performance in the US at Coachella in April.
aespa 에스파 The 2nd Mini Album 〖Girls〗
➫ 2022.07.08 #aespa #æspa #에스파#Girls pic.twitter.com/A1sB78EYT2— aespa (@aespa_official) May 31, 2022
Read: Aespa Release Empowering Single ‘Life’s Too Short’
In addition, the group have surprised fans by sharing the sneak peek track ‘Illusion’, available now upon pre-order of the second EP Girls, and on YouTube as a lyric video.
The bass and synth-heavy pop track is paired with a futuristic animation that has the name of the EP in the middle. In the hook, the girls sing, “Follow me, Come and get illusion / 한입에 삼켜 널 Delicious / 아찔한 미끼로 Hook up / 관심을 먹고 Growing up” (“Follow me, Come and get illusion / Swallow you in one bite Delicious / Irresistible bait, Hook up / Feeding on attention Growing up”).
‘Illusion’ and ‘Life’s Too Short’ will appear on the EP Girls, as per the tracklist, available on the Korean streaming platforms MelOn and Genie. The EP contains 9 tracks, including the title track ‘Girls’ and the new tracks ‘Lingo’ and ‘ICU’.
The rising K-Pop group have been announced as Apple Music’s new global Up Next artist. As part of Apple Music’s monthly artist spotlight, geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent, aespa will release an Up Next short film, a sit-down interview with Apple Music’s Brooke Reese on Apple Music 1 Radio, a US late-night TV appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and more content. You can watch aespa’s Up Next film here.
"Whenever there are hardships, we overcome them together."
It's Giselle, Karina, Winter, and Ningning's time to shine. Explore #UpNext artist @aespa_official's metaverse by pre-adding #Girls – The 2nd Mini Album and watch their short film now. ✨ https://t.co/YoBh8ZblPm pic.twitter.com/qXvQInpMC4
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) June 1, 2022
To further support aespa rising global popularity, the group and SM Entertainment announced a global partnership with Warner Records.
“We are thrilled to be welcomed into the Warner Records’ family and so grateful to have them on board as we embark on our next chapter,” said aespa in the press release. “We are excited for what’s in store, including the release of our new project, Girls – The 2nd Mini Album this summer and being named Apple Music’s Up Next artist!”
“KARINA, WINTER, GISELLE and NINGNING of aespa have already made an impact around the world under the leadership of SM Entertainment founder and chairman Soo-Man Lee and his incredible team,” said Tom Corson (COO & Co-Chairman, Warner Records), and Aaron Bay-Schuck (CEO & Co-Chairman, Warner Records). “We’re honoured to welcome them to the Warner Records’ family as our first-ever K-Pop group and look forward to achieving unprecedented success together.”
“We are well aware of Warner Records’ long history of success with global artists, and we are grateful for their belief in aespa’s rising future,” said Sung Su Lee (CEO, SM Entertainment) and Young Jun Tak (COO, SM Entertainment). “Together with Warner Records, we are confident that aespa can continue to showcase groundbreaking music and grow into a global group.”
Recently, TIME magazine named aespa one of the “Next Generation Leaders” in their Class of 2022.
Last fall, aespa released their first EP, Savage – charting in the Top 20 of the Billboard Top 200 and becoming the highest entry on the Top 200 and Artist 100 for a K-Pop girl group’s debut. Additionally, the EP landed a spot on ten Billboard charts, including Top Independent Albums, Top Album Sales, Top World Albums, and more.
aespa’s second mini-album, Girls, is set to be released on July 8.
