SM has really been bringing it with their music (sans STATION) this year.
Red Velvet continue their winning streak with "Russian Roulette" which, as a song, is absolutely fantastic and while it is most definitely a "Red" concept it isn't the same as say their other songs. That's actually one thing I really like about Red Velvet is that while they have two concepts, none of their songs from either concept sound the same. While "Happiness", "Ice Cream Cake", "Dumb Dumb", and now "Russian Roulette" are all great red concepts, none of them sound like remakes from the others. Same with their "velvet" concepts. Some groups just rehash their break through songs over and over again and never really grow and this lose public interest unless they switch it up last minute, but RV have already set in their identity and SM is doing a great job of expanding both concepts.
"Russian Roulette" honestly sounds like something out of the golden-age era of K-pop with the foggy synths and upbeat catchy melody, however it doesn't sound dated or overused due to the modernization of the song. It sounds like something SNSD or f(x) would have done during the 2010-2012 days, however it does have a VERY Red Velvet sound to it. The verses aren't devoid of any interest, and the chorus is catchy and is stuck in my head right at this moment. I only wish the bridge were a bit better seeing as it just seems rather stripped but overall "Russian Roulette" is a knockout of a song. I've had it on repeat while I'm studying.
The video is hilarious, I actually found myself legit laughing at some parts. It's essentially, the Red Velvet members trying to kill each other while remaining very cutesy. It has the aesthetic of a Lovelyz-meets-Orange Caramel video but the mean spirited-ness of South Park episode. Here are just some of the things I've noticed funnily fucked up about the video:
- Wendy setting Seulgi on fire
- Yeri hitting Irene in the face with a ball
- Irene in a "neck-snapping" position with Yeri
- Wendy pushing Yeri into a practically empty pool
- Yeri feeding the other members cereal with legit metal tools in it
- Irene and Seulgi pushing Wendy out into open traffic on a FUCKING BED
- Seulgi dropping a refrigerator on top of Joy's head
- Joy and Yeri dumping balls on Irene
- The other members crushing Seulgi with a locker
- Wendy and Seulgi crushing Irene and and Joy with a piano
Do you...
See this shit?! (What is the car doing driving on the sidewalk anyway?
If this isn't some sadistic shit I don't know what is. This might be my favorite video of the year actually.
Just a warning, "cutting ties" has a double meaning in this vid.
In terms of styling every member has their shining moments. Seulgi looks good when she's not in those bright orange pig tales, and Joy's only weakness is the blonde hair isn't cut to suit her face. Also, idols just generally look like shit when their blonde in comparison to darker hair. She looks cute with the half-pony though. Irene is Irene meaning she always looks beautiful as her face was made for the camera. The standouts are Wendy who shits on everyone in this music video, but to be honest she shits on everyone in all of Red Velvet's videos (this coming from a Seulgi stan.)
And Yeri's entire styling is erogenous.
I'm happy hoop earrings are becoming popular again.
Overall this marks another great songs in Red Velvet's discography and another notch in the belt of SM's good 2016 releases. It's honestly been a while since they churned out this many stellar releases over the course of a year.
I leave you with some Irene. I couldn't find any real good gifs of her, so I'm going to use this old but super pretty one from a CF but if any of you have any good Irene gifs from the MV, leave them below and I'll update the article.
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/SpotlessPresentAfricanbushviper-size_restricted.gif
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the fapcams will be faptastic.
DeleteThis is glorious. SM always throws a bone to all the fappers. And actually Yeri shits on everyone this time. Obivously excluding Irene because she is God tier.
DeleteNicely said, suhoftw. I especially like that we enjoy the pumpkin queen, Seulgi. (: This is my favorite Red Velvet title track, but so close to Ice Cream Cake.
ReplyDeleteI've been replaying it so much. I don't think it tops "Dumb Dumb" but it's definitely up there for me.
Deletehttps://66.media.tumblr.com/f89528288d8853db8222b2e0262f852c/tumblr_od3zxy1rfC1utwef1o1_400.gif
ReplyDeleteI love this song way more than the other Red tracks. It's super catchy, and the MV is by far the best of the Red (and One of These Nights is the best for the Velvet)
ReplyDeleteOne Of These Nights was a benchmark indeed.
DeleteRV finally descent to the realm of humans, but even when stepping or toning it down they're still something else.
ReplyDeleteSong is catchy af.
The MV is sort of a psychological thriller shit (i see you, digipedi)
It's so twisted but that's what makes it stand out.
DeleteSong sucks man.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Very boring, no dynamics or any exciting sonic structure.Felt like just one note shook til the end.
DeleteI didn't like any of ref velvets songs up till now and this one is no exception. TO me it's just dull.
DeleteIt's not their best.
Delete@Renar; Ref up those velvets!
DeleteIt sounds like an album track. One of those that I'd end up repeating endlessly anyway, but if it weren't for the MV it wouldn't feel like a full release
DeleteAlso I would like to violently thrust my balls at Irene's face
@No Red Velvets I meant, thanks for the heads up:)
DeleteListened until the end of first chorus, waited for it to get interesting, it didn't
Deletei was completely sold when itchy and scratchy showed up in the video, but the mini and the song are pretty swell too
ReplyDeleteYeah Itchy and Scratchy were a nice touch, I was honestly surprised when they showed up in the video.
DeleteLoved the song and MV on the first watch. This review is on point.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThanks for reviewing this for me suho_ftw. I had planned on doing this as one of my last live articles before I end up just doing scheduled posts for the next month, but my day yesterday was just a clusterfuck.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love this song and I think it'll be tough for some of the other girl groups making comebacks this month to top this song.
I only know of Crayon Pop having a new single in a few days.
DeleteWho cares, CP has 2 good songs and 2 retarded twins.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI wasn't trying to make a statement that they're the only relevant group.
DeleteGuess I better shouldn't have said anything.
Red Royale! Battle Velvet!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you think.
DeleteWtf guys the song is generic and boring af, I mean I know you guys like Irene or whoever but come on, the song is so forgettable (like all of their other songs).
ReplyDeleteEver heard of a differing opinion?
DeleteYeah I do like alot of songs that other people call shit and I'm not trying to change your opinions
DeleteI haven't even listened to it, I just watched the enticing MV muted.
DeleteTypical sm-shit, boring song
ReplyDeleteIt has jpop feel, the mv made this songs not forgetable
ReplyDeleteI like this song a lot - I'd happily cruise down the highway jamming to this. The MV is funny stuff. It doesn't top Dumb Dumb for me, but it's one of the best gg releases of the year.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Joy had the most lines in Russian Roulette proved to me how bland this song is. It's so stagnant that they had to limit Wendy and Seugli's voices to dull it completely.
ReplyDeleteSelgui's hair is trash in this mv
ReplyDelete