Ongaku Cafe (The 2020s): LE SSERAFIM – ANTIFRAGILE (2022) (Digital Version)

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LE SSERAFIM’s “ANTIFRAGILE” is a magnificent mini-album. Even when I include the other Asian albums I have reviewed, this mini-album is top-tier and one of the best I have reviewed in 2022. It truly is a no-skip album. It’s that awesome! Highly recommended!

Purchase LE SSERAFIM’s “ANTIFRAGILE” from Amazon

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GROUP: LE SSERAFIM

ALBUM: ANTIFRAGILE

DURATION: 5 Songs (14 Minutes)

RELEASE DATE: October 17, 2022

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1. The Hydra
2. ANTIFRAGILE
3. Impurities
4. No Celestial
5. Good Parts (when the quality is bad but I am)

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If there was a comeback and mini-album that I have been highly anticipating, it would be from the group LE SSERAFIM.

The group which consists of former IZ*ONE members Kim Chaewon and Miyawaki Sakura, “PRODUCE 48” standout Huh Yunjin, professional ballerina KAZUHA and the youngest member of the group, Hong Eunchae have literally captured the hearts of many fans, known as FEARNOT.

But while their first mini-album “FEARLESS” was a solid debut, there are people who were not convinced of their music because “FEARLESS” was not a hardhitting song without a dance break.  But the song slowly grew as more people found appreciation in songs from the debut album.

But when “ANTIFRAGILE”, the second track from the album was released a day before, people were shocked by the reggaeton K-Pop song but also the overall creative direction, vocals and choreography.

It’s a more catchy, upbeat song, without a dance break but yet still capturing audiences and as of this post, is the top trending video on YouTube in many countries.

Many who posted their YouTube reaction videos have deemed “ANTIFRAGILE” as “SONG OF THE YEAR”.

And I say this knowing that the competition is fierce, especially among the 4th generation K-Pop female groups vying for that top spot, which include frontrunners I’VE, NewJeans, Kep1er and NMIXX.

And with the second mini album being released just hours ago, and as we wait for our copy of the album, wanting to listen to this album now, I went ahead and purchased the digital version and have been listening to this album on repeat.

If there is a definition of a “no skip album”, LE SSERAFIM’s “ANTIFRAGILE” is a “no-skip” album and I would go far to even saying that this may be the mini-album of the year.

There have been a lot of awesome K-Pop releases in 2022, but the mini-album “ANTIFRAGILE” is top tier quality and I will say that in 2022, it’s my favorite K-Pop mini-album of the year from a female group.

While “The Hydra” is the intro instrumental as featured in the trailer, it’s no doubt a bass bumping instrumental building the lead up to their title track.

As mentioned, “ANTIFRAGILE” was awesome and the music video is epic. But I had to see how the group performed this song live and see how they carried themselves through their choreography.

The song continues the strength of the group against their haters, against the crap the group had to endure during their “FEARLESS” era, when their sixth member was unfortunately let go from the group.

But as fans and music fans clashed on social media in regards to the sixth member, the group stood strong and vocalist Huh Yunjin would release her solo music video “raise y_our glass” which garnered further love from their fans. But while I wished the track was included on this album, nevertheless, you have four more tracks that are just as solid.

The third track “Impurities” is an amazing slow jam with awesome choreography. The song is smooth like butter, vocals are point and it’s a song that is fantastic. And I look forward to see if the group will perform this B-side on the music shows because it’s a fantastic, chill song!

And while the group is known for their pop tracks, LE SSERAFIM has stood out for trying to not be like other female pop groups and be different and showing that they have this “I don’t give a F” vibe. Especially when they walk the runway in their trailer videos and their use of profanity in their tracks.

And the fourth track “No Celestial”, the group performs a rock track. The upbeat track is catchy and I love the lyrics, “I’m no freakin’ angel”, “I’m no freakin’ Goddess”. It’s a really cool song!  It does have an Avril Lavigne style and it’s a fun track!  Well-performed and love the vocals!

It’s important to note that there is an explicit version of this song on the physical album release but the digital releases online in the US feature the clean version.

And the group ends their second mini-album with a song that was released before “ANTIFRAGILE” and that is “Good Parts (when the quality is bad but I am)”. A track showcasing the group’s vocals but another catch mid-tempo, happy, upbeat track that is captivating and a perfect song to end the mini-album.

While I plan to review the mini-album when I receive the physical edition (as I’m interested in the booklet and photocards), the different variations of the album can be purchased online. While the digital version is also now available on Amazon Music, iTunes, can be streamed on Spotify and many other streaming sites.

Overall, LE SSERAFIM’s “ANTIFRAGILE” is a magnificent mini-album. Even when I include the other Asian albums I have reviewed, this mini-album is top-tier and one of the best I have reviewed in 2022. It truly is a no-skip album. It’s that awesome!

Highly recommended!

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Purchase LE SSERAFIM’s “ANTIFRAGILE” from Amazon