[Article] [NME Review] BIGBANG’s ’Still Life’ is a bittersweet retrospection on growth and the passage of time
BIGBANG’s ’Still Life’ is a bittersweet retrospection on growth and the passage of time
The band’s much-anticipated comeback signifies the end of an era, but leaves fans wondering if there’s anything more left
Angela Patricia Suacillo
Over the course of a tumultuous four-year hiatus, there seemed to be one question on the minds of fans everywhere: Where does BIGBANG go from here?
What the members have been up to as individuals haven’t exactly been hidden from the public eye, for the most part: G-Dragon has gone down the fashion route with collaborations galore, T.O.P started to make a name for himself as a young art collector, Taeyang has built a family of his own and Daesung’s has become quite the popular YouTuber.
In the face of line-up changes, numerous retirement rumours and hopes of a reunion dashed by factors out of their control (like, say, a global pandemic), the question persisted – but yet fans held on to hope. And one faithful day in 2022, their prayers were answered when YG Entertainment confirmed that the quartet would finally be returning to the spotlight.
BIGBANG’s much-anticipated comeback single ‘Still Life’ may not provide the answers most have been clamouring for, but it does want to let listeners know one thing: they’re not the same men they were four years ago, and they’re all the better for it.
Through the lens of the passing seasons, ‘Still Life’ honors the distance between where the group were four years ago and where they are now. For the BIGBANG of today, the glory days – selling out concerts, touring the world, back-to-back releases – are but a memory that the group hold near and dear. “Goodbye now to my beloved young days / Our beautiful spring, summer, autumn and winter,” Daesung croons in the second verse.
With production reminiscent of soft rock from the ’70s and ’ 80s, ’Still Life’ excels at bringing out the unique vocal tones of each member – an aspect that has long been lauded as one of BIGBANG’s strengths. The same laid-back arrangement that brings out Taeyang and Daesung’s rich vocals also leaves a lot of room for rapid-fire introspection from G-Dragon and T.O.P.
At this point, it’s worth noting that both rappers were heavily involved in writing and composing the track and, given the song’s theme overall, it isn’t much of a stretch to assume that their verses are heavily influenced by how the passage of time has treated both of them.
Rooted in bittersweet sentimentality, G-Dragon finds himself revisiting his own struggles with personal growth. “A seven-coloured rainbow slanted like a sneer / Passed the seasons without maturing / I can’t mature (Still),” he laments on the third verse of the track.
It’s a sentiment that’s familiar to long-time fans in more ways than one. Beyond the relatability of just how hard it can get to grow into one’s self, it’s an echo of a struggle he’s brought up in 2016 track ‘Last Dance’ (“I’ve gotten older so I / Guess I become an adult / Why am I so anxious”).
With his departure from longtime label YG Entertainment, it might not come as a surprise that T.O.P’s verse is one that comes off as the most personal. Here, he doesn’t shy away from referencing what the past years have looked like from his perspective – or acknowledging the uncertainty of his own future after promoting with a group for as long as he has.
“I’m leaving inspiration’s Amazon / Burying all the trauma from past nights,” T.O.P declares. “A round-trip ship running, risking its life to start anew / I’m going to change more than before.” His words, though, hit even harder knowing that the rapper has doubts about his future as part of the group.
Paired with a music video that doesn’t feature the four members in the same shot, or even on the same set, ‘Still Life’ is a recognition that the passage of time has brought each of them to different points in life. Though their individual growth is never portrayed as the group growing apart, the track makes clear that all this is a natural, if emotional, progression from where they were.
With ‘Still Life’, BIGBANG close a chapter of their lives that’s been left hanging for the past four years – whether or not this signifies a final bow from the group is something we’ll have to wait and see.
Source: NME
[Article] BIGBANG number one on the chart for three days… Foreign media praised “K-Pop Legend”
The group BIGBANG is sweeping the domestic music charts day after day.
BIGBANG’s “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter” holds the No. 1 spot on the real-time music charts of Genie, Bugs, Vibe, and Flo, including Melon Top 100 24Hits as of 9 a.m. on the 7th.They have hit the local music charts for the first time in half a day since their release at midnight on Saturday.
In particular, the number of Melon users exceeded 900,000 in 24 hours.According to an analysis by netizens, it is the first time in two years that the number of users exceeds 900,000 24 hours after the release of the song.The public is also reacting hotly to BIGBANG’s new song in four years.
Its global ranking has also risen.The song, which entered the Spotify Global Chart 115th place on the first day of its release, settled at 21st place, up 94 steps in just one day on the 6th.Rolling Stone highlighted the new song in an article on the 5th (Korea time), saying, “I came back to tell you why BIGBANG is a K-pop legend.”The South China Morning Post said, BIGBANG, which debuted in 2006, has been loved as one of Asia’s biggest trendsetters and recordmakers for more than a decade.After finishing his military service, he is back in the spotlight.
Rolling Stone Homepage
Through “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter,” BIGBANG sang the cycle of a world blooming and falling helplessly.He expressed the platform and agony of the past days and hopes for the future.Fans are giving their own meaning and interpreting the song.
YG Entertainment, the agency, said, “It is a Korean song with a lot of poetic metaphors, so even though the message of the song may not resonate with overseas fans, BIGBANG’s sincerity is reflected in the music itself.”“The groovy tone of the sun, Daesung’s powerful singing, and the sensuous wrapping unique to G-Dragon and T.O.P. have doubled the solid narrative and sensibility of ‘Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter’,” he said.
Hwang Ji-young, an entertainment news team reporter,
Source: Naver
[Article] [Official] BIGBANG is number one on the music charts for the third day. a sharp rise in global rankings
[OSEN=Reporter Sun Mi-kyung] With the group BIGBANG sweeping the top of the nation’s major music charts for the third day, it is on a steep rise in the world’s largest music platform Spotify global chart.
BIGBANG’s digital single “Still Life” is firmly maintaining its No. 1 ranking on the real-time charts, including Melon Top 100 24Hits, Genie, Bugs, Vibe, and Flo, at 9 a.m. on the 7th.
It’s only been half a day since the release of the song at midnight on the 5th, and it’s been a long time since I swallowed all the charts.As the number of music users is also overwhelming, it is said that it succeeded in becoming a popular pick.
BIGBANG’s “Still Life” is now moving beyond Korea, China and Japan to become a “popular” on major global charts.
BIGBANG’s “Still Life,” which ranked 115th on the Sportify global chart on the first day of its release, settled at 21st, up 94 steps in just one day on the 6th.
It is meaningful to think that Spotify is one of the pillars that has led to changes in trends in the global music market during these inactive periods.
In particular, since it is a Korean song with a lot of poetic metaphors, the response is that BIGBANG’s sincerity is reflected in the music itself, even though the message of the song may not be loud for overseas fans.
Through “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter,” BIGBANG sang the cycle of a world blooming and falling endlessly.He also expressed the platform and worries of the past days and hopes for the future.
From the beginning, the groovy tone of the sun, Daesung’s powerful singing, and the sensuous wrapping unique to G-Dragon and T.O.P. are receiving favorable reviews for their solid narrative and sensibility of “Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.”/
[Photo]Provided by YG Entertainment
Source: Naver
[Article] BIGBANG, ‘Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter’ on the 3rd day of the domestic chart.Global Ranking Rise
[Herold POP = Reporter Kim Na-yul] Group BIGBANG has been sweeping the top of major music charts in Korea for three days.
As of 9 a.m. on the 7th, BIGBANG’s “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter” is ranked No. 1 on the real-time charts including Melon Top 100 24Hits, Genie, Bugs, Vibe and Flo.
BIGBANG’s “Still Life” is now moving beyond Korea, China, and Japan to become a “popular” on major global charts, and has actually risen to 21st place in six days from No. 115 on the Sportify Global Chart on the first day of its release.
BIGBANG sang the cycle of blooming and falling through “Still Life,” and the groovy voice of the sun, Dae-sung’s powerful singing, and G-Dragon and T.O.P.’s unique sensual rapping are well received from the beginning.
Photo=YG provided
Source: Naver
[Article] [Review] BIGBANG Make An Emotional Return With “Still Life”
After what feels like the longest 4 years EVER, @_BBmusic is finally BACK! https://t.co/dJfqG62e70
— Soundigest (@soundigest) April 6, 2022
K-pop titans BIGBANG are back after four long years. The industry vets have come back together as a quartet, with each member, G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, and Daesung having completed their mandatory military service. “Still Life” marks the group’s first release since 2018’s “Flower Road.”
While casual listeners of BIGBANG probably know the group for their bombastic and high-energy hip-hop tracks like the classic “BANG BANG BANG,” there is another, more sentimental side to the group, heard in songs like “IF YOU.” “Still Life” follows this more ballad-like route, resulting in a beautiful song that is both hopeful and melancholy.
Backed by a live band of piano, acoustic and electric guitar, and drums, the track definitely gives the energy of a stadium-ready ballad. The stars of the track are of course the members, who have always been known for the unique characteristics of their voice and their style. Taeyang takes the intro and pre-chorus, while Daesung takes the chorus. Both vocalists exhibit fantastic control over their delivery while maintaining an impactful level of genuine emotion. G-Dragon and T.O.P. deliver the verses with their usual swagger, but this time around, with a more quiet but assured confidence. The vocals on this track just serve to further cement how unique and skilled the members have been and continue to be.
Lyrically, the track focuses on learning from the past, leaving it behind, and looking forward to what the future brings. “Goodbye now to my beloved young days,” Daesung sings in the chorus. Lines like this permeate the track, giving the impression that BIGBANG could actually be getting ready to say goodbye to fans after all these years. G-Dragon continues this sentiment in the line, “After the rain, instead of sadness comes a happy end.”
With this said, there are moments that show that the members are looking forward to the future. G-Dragon ends his verse with “Finally, the four at last” and T.O.P. states that he’s “going to change more than ever before” and “burying [his] anger in the past.” The outro of the song mirrors the intro, with a notable change, perhaps hinting at more from the members. “At sunset next year,” instead of the intro’s “A sunset year.” It’s little touches like this that exemplify the group’s skills in songwriting, with nicely tucked-in messages throughout for listeners to find.
While “Still Life” is no doubt a beautiful ballad, it’s more than just that for BIGBANG. After all these years, and the highs and lows that life has thrown at the members, this song shows a new level of maturity and wisdom from them. While they had to step away from the limelight for some time, and many other groups have come and gone, they took that time to find themselves not just as artists, but as individuals. “Still Life” is BIGBANG showing listeners how much they have grown and that they are ready to take on whatever the future has on hold for them.
Featured Image: YG Entertainment
Source: Sound Digest
[Article] [official] OSEN: BIGBANG, the second day of music chart ‘In the Kill’
[osen : a Seon Mi Kyung] group BIGBANG’s new song ‘봄여름가을겨울 (still life)’ ‘Kill this year,’ the main music chart have for a second day and Johns Hopkins University, predicted a long run of popularity.
9 a.m. to 6 days is ‘봄여름가을겨울 (still life)’ standards of the BIGBANG, 24 top 100 of the nation’s largest music site, melon hits real-time number-one singles of leaders as well as Bugs, Ginny, such as Bive, flow, protecting.
The day before the BIGBANG has only just half a day after releasing a source at midnight daily potential that moved up to number one melon.Listening to look at the Mellon reports, the sound source in the number of overwhelming that the long-term seizure of observation charts compared to other singer of songs is coming.
BIGBANG is Worldwide iTunes song chart, also took two consecutive days.The Opening day, iTunes top songs charts from 33 countries ‘봄여름가을겨울 (still life)’, which accounted in mainstream pop market, including the United States, the United Kingdom, since gradually settled at the top-ranked team, driving up the rankings.
The BIGBANG’s existing interest in a string of hits also skyrocketed.In the past single ‘the flower way’ in 2018, one after another in the title song sound at home and abroad, including series, ‘lie’, ‘from day to day’, ‘made’ album chart of re-entry and made once again feeling a strong power source.
An honest emotional scenes and various symbols of the metaphor of music videos is now the BIGBANG members 2000 on view.My No. 1 most viewed video on Youtube 24 hours this music video that maintains the original art from the BIGBANG, confirming a chord with fans and the message contained in it is able and collecting a lot of buzz.
BIGBANG was introduced in four years is ‘봄여름가을겨울 (still life)’ new songs.The BIGBANG is flow and changes in the season through this song cycles of a flower of the world, helplessly, not only sang.Single phase of the last days and anxiety, and metaphorically to express hope for the future. /
[picture] provide entertainment yg
[Article] BIGBANG’s T.O.P Shares Heartfelt Letter For Fans After Release Of New Single “Still Life”
BIGBANG’s T.O.P Shares Heartfelt Letter For Fans After Release Of New Single “Still Life”
Apr 5, 2022
byE. Cha
Following the release of BIGBANG’s new song “Still Life,” T.O.P has shared his thoughts in a heartfelt letter to his fans.
On April 5, BIGBANG made their long-awaited return with the chart-topping single “Still Life,” which marked their first group release in four years. Along with G-Dragon, T.O.P participated in composing the music and lyrics for the song.
Later that same day, T.O.P—who parted ways with YG Entertainment earlier this year—posted a letter on Instagram expressing his gratitude to both the YG staff and his fans.
T.O.P wrote the following in English:
Finally the music is out
I wouldn’t be here without all of YG staff’s help.
Thank you all for last 16 years.
It means a lot to me.I’m thinking
I might be going through another important
turning point of my life
at the moment.I look forward to the day
when I’ll be able to come back as a man of
inspiration in the near future.I’m utmost grateful for my fans.
Once again, Thank you.
April 5th, 2022
From T.O.P/Choi Seung Hyun
If you haven’t already seen it, check out BIGBANG’s new music video for “Still Life” here!
You can also watch T.O.P in his film “Commitment” with subtitles below:
View this post on Instagram
[Article] [Rolling Stone] BIGBANG Return to Remind the World Why They’re K-Pop Legends
Four years since we last heard from them, BIGBANG (@YG_GlobalVIP) are back with a new song, “Still Life.” https://t.co/mx1EAOS11y #BIGBANGisBACK
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) April 5, 2022
BIGBANG Return to Remind the World Why They’re K-Pop Legends
‘Still Life’ is the group’s first release since a four-year break during which the members completed their mandatory military service
Four years since we last heard from them, South Korean superstars BIGBANG are back with a new song, “Still Life.”
BIGBANG originally made their debut in 2006 and rose to the top of Korean music charts shortly after, making them one of the country’s best-selling boy bands at the time. They were regularly awarded Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year honors at major Asian music award shows, and by the early 2010s their success had crossed over to the U.S. In 2015, BIGBANG released MADE, which was then followed by a round of projects to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary the following year.
Things started to slow down for BIGBANG once the members enlisted for their mandatory military service one by one, and their last release before this was “Flower Road” in 2018. Even without new music, BIGBANG has remained a major influence on the next generation of Korean stars, and its members have found ways to make waves in other areas. G-Dragon had several successful sneaker releases with Nike, G-Dragon and T.O.P are key figures in the art world as collectors, Taeyang got married and has recently welcomed a son, and Daesung, who has always strayed away from social media, opened a YouTube channel to engage with fans in his own way. Today, following a tumultuous few years with all members having completed their mandatory military service, the group has returned as a quartet of G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, and Daesung.
“Still Life” reflects where BIGBANG is right now, but it’s also a track that long-time fans can relate to. Lyrics like “Goodbye now to my beloved young days” and “I keep remembering those glorious and loving days” bring listeners back to when BIGBANG was touring the world and selling out shows with nonstop activity. Now, more than fifteen years into their careers, the members have become more introspective and seem to be content with where they are at, and with everything they’ve overcome. T.O.P raps about “burying all the trauma from past nights” and vows, “I’m going to change more than before to become a good person even more.”
BIGBANG has been known for writing their own music since their debut, which was uncommon for K-pop groups in the past, and “Still Life” is no exception, with members G-Dragon and T.O.P credited for lyrics and composition. The melody is reminiscent of Seventies and Eighties soft rock, adding to the list of genres that BIGBANG has experimented with.
The music video starts with a solo shot of Taeyang standing amongst yellow flowers, and later in the video, G-Dragon looks out at a sea of yellow lights, representing their fandom’s light sticks. The music video noticeably features each member individually throughout, with no group shots, and displays their five-line logo from their MADE album, despite now being a four-piece group.
With “Still Life,” BIGBANG shows vulnerability and growth, and leaves fans hopeful for more to come.
Source: Rolling Stone
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