Le Sserafim, “Unforgiven.”

Marking their one-year anniversary, rising K-pop stars Le Sserafim have unveiled their first full-length album, Unforgiven. This power-packed 13-track album features previously released songs that elevated the group to newfound levels of success in 2022 and new tracks that push the way the quintet defines itself musically with nonconventional tropes and experimental pop twists.

“The World is My Oyster,” one of the three songs from debut EP FEARLESS, builds an atmospheric rumble that drives hard into an industrial techno beat. Sakura, Chaewon, Yunjin, Kazuha and Eunchae sing in Korean, Japanese and English, showing off their language versatility. 

“The world is imperfect/ The world judges me/ The world is trying to change me,” they sing, their vocals reverberating through the flow of the thumping bass of this cyberpunk track.

The groovy bass of “Fearless” dances alongside the bobbing beat of the infectious “bum-ba-ba-bum-bum” hook that smoothly transitions to the beginning of “Blue Flame.” The funky ’80s bass ties through the song, which plays on a disco theme supported by a pounding bass drum. It’s not as strong as the rest of the album but it’s is a solid transition into the newer songs.

“The Hydra” demonstrates the group’s experimental take on beats that aren’t usually heard on mainstream K-pop tracks. The aggressive muddied bass is coupled with a single question, “Do you think I’m fragile?” It drops into a trap-infused beat with chimes, reverb-laden vocals and the breakdown as an interlude into 2022 hit “ANTIFRAGILE.” The dance-pop track evokes reggaeton with sharp percussion and a whistle driving the underlying beat. The bombastic rap featured in the chorus pulls you in more as you listen.

The reggaeton flare remains for “Fire In the Belly,” featuring a snappy sax, skittering beat and light hi-hat strikes. 

Serving as an interlude to the title track, “Burn The Bridge” starts off with a soft Spanish guitar intro that slides into an R&B jam and trancelike percussion. The song trails off and leads to the title track, “Unforgiven.” Featuring hit-making producer and guitarist Nile Rogers, the song leans on hip-hop vocal delivery, fat bass, sped-up handclaps, some Western sound effects and funky guttering riffing that Rodgers recently told us he made up on the spot after listening to a demo of the song. 

However, compared to other tracks on the first Le Sserafim album, “Unforgiven” doesn’t instantly hook you. It takes a couple of listens to warm up to it.

Slowing down the pace from the first half of the album, “Impurities” offers a momentary breath of fresh air. It’s a dreamy pop track full of glistening vocal charm. “No-Return (Into the Unknown)” is a classic bubblegum pop tune that instantly brightens the mood with snazzy trumpets and funky and jazzy bass line. “Flash Forward” provides a similar take as a light and refreshing song that contrasts the faster-paced tracks. “FEARNOT (between you, me and the lamppost)” is a sweet pop ballad titled after the group’s fanbase, FEARNOTs.

The hidden gem and easily the best song of Unforgiven is “Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife.”

“I’m a mess in distress but we’re still the best-dressed/Fearless say less, we don’t dress to impress,” Yunjin sings to start off the song before the others join in. The explosive, energetic beat shows the ability of the year-old group to continue to explore its undoubtedly infectious sound.

Le Sserafim is setting the example for a new generation of K-pop artists and Unforgiven is evidence of that.

Follow K-pop lover Onome Uyovbievbo at Twitter.com/byonome and Instagram.com/by.onome.