Why do most non-fans seem to think that LE SSERAFIM "lacks" a musical identity?
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I think many people don't know what musical identity actually means.
First of all, it has nothing to do with the concept. That's just visuals. Or the lyrics!
Being versatile (I wouldn't use this word for LSF, btw) is also not a musical identity. I do not think LSF is a versatile group. Why? Because their music is not that different from each other. I only use this term for artist who released songs in at least 10 genres. LSF never did that, not yet! Most of their songs are dance-pop, pop, RnB or EDM.
We could argue they have a musical identity, but if we look at other groups, I think we can find other groups who released similar music, with similar lyrics as well.
The industry use "Musical Identity" when an artist constantly releases not only good music, but most importantly, evolving with every comeback.
Can we really say that LSF evolved since their debut? I'm not talking about their skills, I'm talking about the production of their songs, the message of their songs. Did they ever try to do something different? I'm not so sure about that.
This isn't even really about the girls, it's about HYBE and Source Music and their producers/songwriters. I don't think they have any identity in general. Not just LSF, but most of their groups.
Someone already said this, and I feel the same way. I feel HYBE and its sub-labels don't want to create their own unique style, they're chasing the trends.
It's different from what others kpop groups are doing and yes, they have this concept where they evolve inside the concept, like BP with their sound.
What sound? Every YG music sound the same, especially the BP songs. I mean, it's called the YG Style for a reason. Since they left YG, yes, their sound is a bit different I could say it's even better, but not at YG.
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LSF never did that, not yet!
Um so about that...
EDM
House (Electro House, Future House, Slap House, Garage House)
Neo Psychedelia
R&B (Contemporary R&B, K-R&B)
Pop (Indie Pop, Alternative Pop, Dance Pop, Funk Pop, Electro Pop)
Rock (K-Rock, Pop Rock)
Reggaetón
Amapiano
Jersey Club
Disco
Spoken Word
Bossa Nova
Soul
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A theme but not an identity.
There are certain groups with a consistent sound: like Aespa NewJeans
There are other groups that can try new sounds but still do it in a way only they can: idle, Red Velvet
And then there's groups that try everything at least once: LSF, T-ara etc
But I don't think that's a con. Groups like LSF tend to be lucky as people will continue to keep checking out their new releases even if they hadn't liked the last few ones, because they can always expect something new. When groups that have a more consistent sound start to lose listeners, it's hard to get them back
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Um so about that...
EDM
House (Electro House, Future House, Slap House, Garage House)
Neo Psychedelia
R&B (Contemporary R&B, K-R&B)
Pop (Indie Pop, Alternative Pop, Dance Pop, Funk Pop, Electro Pop)
Rock (K-Rock, Pop Rock)
Reggaetón
Amapiano
Jersey Club
Disco
Spoken Word
Bossa Nova
Soul
Exactly this. This is what I meant about versatility because they've covered multiple genres. I think the issue might be some people aren't checking out their b-sides to see this. I don't see any group doing a song like fire in the belly. Also having a title track like Crazy is something that is much different than what most groups are doing.
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Exactly this. This is what I meant about versatility because they've covered multiple genres. I think the issue might be some people aren't checking out their b-sides to see this. I don't see any group doing a song like fire in the belly. Also having a title track like Crazy is something that is much different than what most groups are doing.
External Content www.youtube.comContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.one of their rock songs
External Content youtu.beContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.Yeah whenever I see someone claiming they can't sing and they pull up a clip of one of their title tracks im like so thats why.
Their bsides usually showcase more vocals and variety in genre than any of their title tracks.
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I mean you are wildly incorrect about what Musical Identity is, but let's talk about your post anyway.
LSF's concepts are, in the end, extremely empty. It's all very, in trying to be generous to them, "pop psychology" stuff. It's what you'd find at the checkout store or hocked by some self-help influencer.
Their lyrics are surface level, and there's no underlying actions to support them. What's LSF's comeback? Oh it's going to be some incomprehensible lyrics with the illusion of depth, and we'll dress them in trendy street clothes. Next comeback? Oh it'll be some faux depth lyrics with... hey you guess it, trendy street clothes.
They are a marketing focus group led kpop group. Watch me as I reveal their amazing strategy
- Take stock of what's currently popular in Tiktok or on Spotify
- Get their mostly male 30-40 year old producers to rework purchased songs from swedish song mercenaries
- Throw in some absolutely indeterminable garbage lyrics that suggests there's some deep philosophy in play.
- Here are some of the dumbass lyrics from their latest release, the 1st track, and was on their promo material -
QuoteDisplay MoreThe flame engulfed the silence, splitting apart the dark
The fire grew larger chasing after the illusion of the unreachable sun
In the end, it devoured itself and scatterеd to ashes
A paradoxical existencе
A vanishing point of blue light in finite time
The fire awakens again from the ashes as a kindling
The ember, with its resilient heat, melts the coarse grains to translucenc
Lots of words, very little substance. It fails a poetry, it fails as anything evocative, it's just someone who's chat gpting some verbose sentences together to try to make something.
LSF's entire identity is just emperor's no clothes sort of stuff. People treat it seriously, for example your post, when in reality they've got no identity whatsoever. Try to stop deluding yourself.
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I mean you are wildly incorrect about what Musical Identity is, but let's talk about your post anyway.
LSF's concepts are, in the end, extremely empty. It's all very, in trying to be generous to them, "pop psychology" stuff. It's what you'd find at the checkout store or hocked by some self-help influencer.
Their lyrics are surface level, and there's no underlying actions to support them. What's LSF's comeback? Oh it's going to be some incomprehensible lyrics with the illusion of depth, and we'll dress them in trendy street clothes. Next comeback? Oh it'll be some faux depth lyrics with... hey you guess it, trendy street clothes.
They are a marketing focus group led kpop group. Watch me as I reveal their amazing strategy
- Take stock of what's currently popular in Tiktok or on Spotify
- Get their mostly male 30-40 year old producers to rework purchased songs from swedish song mercenaries
- Throw in some absolutely indeterminable garbage lyrics that suggests there's some deep philosophy in play.
- Here are some of the dumbass lyrics from their latest release, the 1st track, and was on their promo material -
Lots of words, very little substance. It fails a poetry, it fails as anything evocative, it's just someone who's chat gpting some verbose sentences together to try to make something.
LSF's entire identity is just emperor's no clothes sort of stuff. People treat it seriously, for example your post, when in reality they've got no identity whatsoever. Try to stop deluding yourself.
Congrats.
You did an amazingly horrendous job at masking your contempt for LE SSERAFIM. I was not aware that having a musical identity is attributed to what style of clothing they wear but sure..sure.
Their lyrics are "surface level" yet "incomprehensible" though I'm pretty sure that's just you not being capable of literacy in its most basic form.
Your criticisms of LE SSERAFIM not only have absolutely nothing to do with a "musical identity" but are also very likely just you projecting because you know your faves could never.
So kindly stop deluding yourself into thinking that you're this person with all-encompassing knowledge when in reality, you are just someone on the internet being bitter about a group that couldn't care less about you.
You know nothing about poetry, philosophy, nor literature.
You don't get to decide what lyrics are "indeterminable," "garbage," and "dumbass," and you most definitely do not get to talk shit about a group you know nothing about.
Jealously is never a good look
But its nice to see that this "empty" group still has you hooked for each of their comebacks.
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Not sure, but I’m not a fan and have listened to a couple of songs, and what I’ve gathered is that LE SSERAFIM has a confident, edgy sound that leans into sleek pop with a mix of electronic and R&B influences. Their music feels minimal but impactful, often built around strong basslines and a sense of attitude. They seem to focus a lot on themes of fearlessness and self-empowerment, which fits their whole concept. Even if their sound shifts, that bold, stylish vibe seems to stay consistent.
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Um so about that...
EDM
House (Electro House, Future House, Slap House, Garage House)
Neo Psychedelia
R&B (Contemporary R&B, K-R&B)
Pop (Indie Pop, Alternative Pop, Dance Pop, Funk Pop, Electro Pop)
Rock (K-Rock, Pop Rock)
Reggaetón
Amapiano
Jersey Club
Disco
Spoken Word
Bossa Nova
Soul
Name the actual titles, because I'm pretty sure I heard every LSF song, but I never heard them doing half these genres. Most of these are the sub-category of EDM, Pop, and RnB.
Using a SAMPLE from a genre doesn't make the song Reggaeton or Rock, for example. Not to mention remixes. It's called remix for a reason!
You can find the genres here: LE SSERAFIM - Rate Your Music
I don't count "spoken word" as a real genre, because it's just a spoken word, not music!
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Exactly this. This is what I meant about versatility because they've covered multiple genres. I think the issue might be some people aren't checking out their b-sides to see this. I don't see any group doing a song like fire in the belly. Also having a title track like Crazy is something that is much different than what most groups are doing.
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External Content youtu.beContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.How many groups do you want me to mention? I mean, the first one (Latin music) is pretty basic in Kpop since day 1. LSF is not even the 100th group who released a song like that.
Rock is not as popular, especially with mainstream Idol groups, but let's not compare LSF with Dreamcatcher or MAMAMOO, that wouldn't be fair. This is Pop-Rock, btw, and I don't think I've ever heard so much autotune in a Pop-Rock song.
About "CRAZY" as a title track. 4Minute, EXID, F(x) and so on, says hi!
Not to mention soloists like: Uhm Junghwa, Kim Wansun, Chungha, or Solar.
Just an 8 and a 9 year old TITLE TRACK:
External Content open.spotify.comContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.External Content open.spotify.comContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.10 year old:
External Content youtu.beContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.I think this is enough. I applaud LSF for trying out different genres, but they have a long way to go to be in the same league with these people and groups, and I could mention more.
As I said already, doing multiple genres has nothing to do with musical identity.
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How many groups do you want me to mention? I mean, the first one (Latin music) is pretty basic in Kpop since day 1. LSF is not even the 100th group who released a song like that.
Rock is not as popular, especially with mainstream Idol groups, but let's not compare LSF with Dreamcatcher or MAMAMOO, that wouldn't be fair. This is Pop-Rock, btw, and I don't think I've ever heard so much autotune in a Pop-Rock song.
About "CRAZY" as a title track. 4Minute, EXID, F(x) and so on, says hi!
Not to mention soloists like: Uhm Junghwa, Kim Wansun, Chungha, or Solar.
Just an 8 and a 9 year old TITLE TRACK:
External Content open.spotify.comContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.External Content open.spotify.comContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.10 year old:
External Content youtu.beContent embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.I think this is enough. I applaud LSF for trying out different genres, but they have a long way to go to be in the same league with these people and groups, and I could mention more.
As I said already, doing multiple genres has nothing to do with musical identity.
With current groups they aren't covering as many genres as them. I don't think it's a strong identity, and I did mention earlier that it's detrimental to the group. I don't think you should make the average listener to go out of their way to find their identity. With the current top groups you can know it's one of their songs by listening to it. When you hear other groups making a song you usually read people saying this sounds like an Aespa, NewJeans, Ive, Idle, Twice, Blackpink, Red Velvet, Loona, and a few other popular groups sound. However, I don't think I've seen people say that about LSF and that could be due to having weaker music identity by dabbling into many genres.
QuoteAs a LSF fan, I don't mind versatility being their identity, but that's not the best thing for the average listener. It's not just a kpop thing, and there's more of a connection with audience there's familiarity and Le Sserafim doesn't essentially provide that with their music. I think what's detrimental to them is kpop fans don't listen to albums unless it's their bias. LSF identity can easily be identified with the unique intros they have with every release but the average listener isn't going out of their way to check their intros that adds onto their lore.
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With current groups they aren't covering as many genres as them. I don't think it's a strong identity, and I did mention earlier that it's detrimental to the group. I don't think you should make the average listener to go out of their way to find their identity. With the current top groups you can know it's one of their songs by listening to it. When you hear other groups making a song you usually read people saying this sounds like an Aespa, NewJeans, Ive, Idle, Twice, Blackpink, Red Velvet, Loona, and a few other popular groups sound. However, I don't think I've seen people say that about LSF and that could be due to having weaker music identity by dabbling into many genres.
I mean, the current groups (most of them) are not that different from old gen groups, except one thing: They don't try to CREATE the trends, they want to FOLLOW the trends!
I'm not that sure if we can say that Aespa, TWICE, BP are that much different from the predecessors. I mean, pretty much every SM, JYP and YG group has the same type of sound with a bit of extra on it. TWICE is basically your average Kpop girl group sound, BP is the same old loud noise swag yolo YG sound, and Aespa is the futuristic version of SNSD, or S.E.S. Doesn't really matter. Obviously, it's easy to recognize the Aespa style, because SM doing the same thing what they're doing with other groups like Red Velvet. They use the same formula, but add their own flair.
The same goes for NewJeans, because technically, they're more of an SM group than HYBE, thanks to MHJ.
IVE is basically a group that sampling old songs and doing these high-pitched vocal arrangements, and Starship doesn't really have their own style. Just like HYBE, they're chasing the trends.
LSF could've been a much better group with a real music concept, because they're not that skilled to do multiple genres, but than again, if they're an SME group, this wouldn't be a problem. So, it's all on HYBE as usual.
Imagine Soyeon composing a song for them, or anyone at RBW. Even tho I hate that company, but their producers are probably one of the best. This is my problem with NMIXX (more like JYP) as well. Talented group, but the composers don't compliment their artists, the composition of their songs undermine them. The beat is more important than their vocals.
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