Savage (EP)

On September 13, 2021, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa would be releasing their first extended play titled Savage on October 5, containing six tracks. The EP was released for pre-order on September 14. On September 27, the tracklist and lead single "Savage" were revealed. The tracklist included participation from American singer-songwriter Hayley Kiyoko on the closing track "Lucid Dream". In an interview with the Grammy, Giselle revealed that they "actually didn't get to meet her and do an actual collaboration [even though] the song was made by her." The making of Savage marked the first time all the Aespa members recorded together in a studio, a process that turned out to be "a lot of fun for the members, who are all close friends." Ningning said that they had a great time recording the EP and got to try genres they haven't done before. According to the Paper magazine, Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment and executive producer of their EP, "personally directed every small detail" of their production, including the pronunciation of every syllable. ==Composition==

Savage is primarily a pop Songs co-wrote the track "Lucid Dream". The opening track, "Aenergy", is an "uplifting anthem" that explores "the group's members and the characteristics they showcase throughout their superheroine-like story, declaring each members' in-universe skills and abilities." Narrating the group's ongoing efforts to defy the Black Mamba, the track further elucidates Aespa and ae proceeding to the virtual world of Kwangya with the help of nævis. The song blends "addictive" hooks, rap verses and ad-libs while displaying the group's ability to take on varied vocals. "Haunting" belts escalate the song's "tenacious" atmosphere, along with "strong" vocal performances and "fierce" lyrics. It starts with "strong" hip hop The song is a "poignant blur" of "hypnotic" synthesizers and "gentle" trap beats mixed with "intricate" layers of breathy vocals. ==Promotion and release==

On September 14, 2021, Savage was made available for pre-order in three versions: P.O.S, Synk Dive, and Hallucination Quest. From September 23 to 25, the Hallucination Quest version of concept photos for the extended play was released. Synk Dive version and additional Hallucination Quest concept photos were released on September 26 and 29, respectively. The EP tracklist was revealed on September 27. The teaser for the music video of the lead single of the same name was released on October 4. The album was released on October 5, 2021, in physical and digital formats. The music video for lead single "Savage", directed by 725 (SL8 Visual Lab), was released on SM Entertainment's YouTube channel in conjunction with the release of the EP. On October 5, Aespa held a live event called "Synk Dive: Aespa 'Savage' Showcase" on YouTube to introduce the EP and communicate with their fans. The group also performed on NBC's The Kelly Clarkson Show on October 16, their broadcast debut on US network television. ==Critical reception==

AllMusic critic David Crone stated that the EP is "a glitchy, futuristic take on the K-Pop mini-album" that continues to "demonstrate the star power of Aespa's leading foursome". Tamar Herman of the South China Morning Post summarized Savage as "cohesive listening experience" that is "invigorating and satisfying", adding it was "successful in showcasing what the members of Aespa have to offer as one of most ambitious newer female K-pop acts out there." She also included it on her list of best K-pop releases of October 2021. Carmen Chin of NME awarded the EP four stars out of five, writing that "Savage's brand of vibrant, punchy electronic pop falls perfectly in sync with the unconventionality aespa have so boldly presented in their one year as a group." MTV's Regina Kim stated that "Savage provides a sonic backdrop that exists outside this imagined world," and added that the EP is "giving listeners glimpses into an overarching fable." In her review for PopMatters, Ana Clara Ribeiro described Savage as "a well-scripted, high-budget cyberpunk film" that "doesn't necessarily make you feel good, but it is good, and that’s why you watch it" because it "entertains and fascinates." She also named the track "I'll Make You Cry" a highlight on the EP. Year-end lists ==Commercial performance==

On October 5, it was reported that pre-orders for Savage reached 401,088 copies. According to the South Korean Hanteo Chart, the EP was the "best-selling debut album for girl group's on the chart" after it sold more than 200,000 copies on the second day of its release. In South Korea, it debuted atop the Gaon Album Chart on the chart issue dated October 3–9, 2021. Within 15 days of release, it was reported that Savage sold 513,292 copies. In Japan, it peaked at number 18 on Billboard Japans Hot Albums chart and at number seven on the Oricon Albums Chart. and debuted at number two on the Top Album Sales chart with 17,500 units in pure sales. == Accolades ==

Credits adapted from the liner notes of the EP. Musicians • Aespa (Karina, Giselle, Winter, Ningning)vocals , background vocals • Yoo Young-jinKorean lyrics , composition , background vocals , arrangement • KenzieKorean lyrics , composition • Korean lyrics , background vocals • SaayKorean lyrics , background vocals • Jo Yoon-kyungKorean lyrics • Ellie Suh (153/Joombas)Korean lyrics • Kill Davecomposition , arrangement • Pat Morrisseycomposition , arrangement , keys & synths , piano & bongos , bass • Jess Corazzacomposition • Kirsten Collinscomposition , background vocals • Jia Lihcomposition , arrangement • Hautboi Richcomposition • Timothy 'Bos' Bullockcomposition , arrangement • Brandon Greencomposition , arrangement • Imlayarrangement , bass , sound fx • composition , arrangement , keyboard • Sophie Curtiscomposition • Val Del Prete (153/Joombas)composition • Timothy Tancomposition , arrangement , drum programming , sampling • Hayley Kiyokocomposition • Paul Phamouscomposition • Marcus Lomaxcomposition • Kwon Ae-jinbackground vocals • Ciara Muscatbackground vocals • David Dahlquistkeys & synths , piano & bongos , bass Technical • Yoo Young-jindirecting , recording , digital editing , mixing engineer , mixing • Kenziedirecting • Deezdirecting • Hwang Hyunvocal directing , digital editing • Kim Yeon-seovocal directing • Noh Min-jirecording , mixing engineer , digital editing • Kang Sun-youngrecording , digital editing • Kang Eun-jirecording , digital editing , mixing engineer • Coach & Sendocomputer programming • Lee Ji-hongdigital editing , mixing engineer • Jang Woo-youngdigital editing • Kim Chul-soonmixing • Jeong Eui-seokmixing • Nam Koong-jinmixing • Jeon Hoonmastering • Kwon Nam-woomastering • Shin Soo-minmastering assistant ==Charts==

Weekly charts Monthly charts Year-end charts == Certifications and sales ==