[Review] LE SSERAFIM turn up the heat with ‘CRAZY’
FEARNOTs have been spoiled with a mini-album that oozes confidence.
LE SSERAFIM 'CRAZY'. Image: Source Music.
The five-member girl group LE SSERAFIM have had their ups and downs over the past year but that’s not stopping them from returning stronger than ever. Sakura, Chaewon, Yunjin, Kazuha, and Eunchae are bringing hot girl anthems back. CRAZY is an EP of self-love and prioritising female friendships over romantic love.
The EP starts with the intro “Chasing Lightning” which sets the tone of the whole record. As usual, the intro is completely spoken by the girls in their native languages of Korean, English and Japanese.
The track’s instrumental begins with dogs barking, which immediately disarms the listener forcing their attention to be on the girls. The heavy electronic club beat is a theme that can be heard throughout the album.
The intro’s lyrics explore doing what you love regardless of what people think, whether that’s just eating Greek yoghurt and cuddling your dog or following your dreams. “Chasing Lightning” matches the carefree and quirky attitude the girls have for the whole EP.
The title track “CRAZY” is exactly what you would expect it to be. It’s an almost overwhelming synth club track but it’s impossible not to enjoy it. While Chaewon and Yunjin are known as the vocalists of the group, they decide to tackle rapping on “CRAZY”, which allows them to just ooze coolness.
The repetition of the autotuned ‘crazy’ in the lead-up to the song’s climax and the anticipation created by the removal of instrumentals as the girls state: “act like an angel and dress like crazy”, works perfectly with the weird yet wonderful chorus. The verging on absurdness of the lyrics matches the wild and free concept: “I’m an Otaku, bestie / Go crazy, that candy’s sassy / Renewed the neuronal system / Broke out of the prison in my head.”
The track’s music video makes sure to keep up this unhinged energy with an excessive use of CGI. The wildly dressed backup dancers and glitchy editing make the video intoxicating to watch.
In contrast to the video, the song’s choreography is made up of small and sharp moves. While not overly complicated, the dance adds to the effortless vibe the girls give off and the use of voguing is sure to be a hit with fans.
LE SSERAFIM offers up another track filled with confidence in “Pierrot”. The heavy synthesised drum beat and bassline that engulfs its listener makes the song addictive. The repetition of: “that’s my girl” throughout is great to hype yourself up to and with the girls backing you all the way, it’s impossible to not feel good about yourself. The whole CRAZY record is perfect to give you an extra boost on a difficult day.
“1-800-hot-n-fun” is the perfect party song for when you are going out with friends. First performed at Coachella, fans were excited to hear the studio version of the song and the girls definitely did not disappoint.
The heavy guitar riff throughout the track forces its listeners to move along with the beat. The members’ energy is infectious and you can’t help but dance along with them. LE SSERAFIM’s nonchalant delivery of the chorus makes the track a standout on the EP.
The lyrics to “1-800-hot-n-fun” are exactly what you would expect - cheeky and blasé: “I like to dance when I party / I like to kiss everybody / Where the heck is Saki? / She’s waiting down in the lobby / I’m tryna break it down, yeah / Baby, can I turn up the party?”
The EP leads out with a sweet ballad that allows the girls to show off their vocals. The light piano instrumental sets the melancholic tone of “Crazier”. While the rest of CRAZY has been upbeat and filled with confidence, the girls seem to open up and express more vulnerable emotions on this track.
The stripped-away backing to “Crazier” gives listeners a moment to digest the rest of the record. The lyrics seem to describe the group’s worries about being judged by others: “Wanna go crazy / But it’s too late, worried what others might think of me / Another day of chasing her on the screen / Then it all ends, don’t want to let go.” This is a sentiment that a lot of their fans surely can relate to.
The CRAZY EP is a brilliantly succinct club album filled with self-assurance and vitality. LE SSERAFIM are known for joking about having “it-girl” energy but that’s exactly what they exude throughout this record.
While they open up on the last track, the rest of CRAZY is an exciting way to follow up on the viral success of their last release EASY. The title track is so addictive, it’s sure to grow on even non-FEARNOTs.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.
