To celebrate the return of 4 of K-Pop’s brightest stars after 4 years, here are 4 things we loved about BIGBANG’s comeback with ‘Still Life’!
1. The Return of Rumination
‘Still Life’ brings back the reflective tone characteristic of BIGBANG’s versatile sound. It touches a part of the soul that has been hidden for too long and tugs at the heartstrings at the same time. It brings back memories from a time much simpler and colours the present with nostalgia. The bittersweet turn of seasons is poignantly portrayed by the 4 members - TaeYang as the abundant spring, DaeSung as the pensive fall, G-Dragon as the golden summer, and T.O.P as the transformative winter. This isn’t a comeback, it is an autobiography.
2. The Vocals & Rap
The sonic aesthetic of BIGBANG comprises four of the most distinct voices in the global music industry and ‘Still Life’ lets these voices speak for themselves. The vocals in this song, helmed by TaeYang and DaeSung are just as fresh as when BIGBANG first debuted but they also carry a depth that speaks volumes of their illustrious journey. BIGBANG remains unchanged but their music is now charged with experience. G-Dragon and T.O.P’s rap verses transitioning into godly vocals have a divine quality, making the experience of listening to this song sacred, in a sense. This isn’t a song, it’s an anthem.
3. The Melancholia
No matter how much you try to look away from the elephant in the room, there’s no denying that ‘Still Life’ is the kind of song to make you cry in the club. As BIGBANG bid farewell to their shining youth, you cannot help but relate both as a V.I.P and an individual, even if you’ve barely come of age. That one scene of G-Dragon on stage with the Bang Bongs welcoming him like stars in the night sky while he sings, “I keep remembering those glorious and loving days,” is enough to make you lose all composure and give in to the tears. These aren’t just lyrics, they hold the essence of BIGBANG.
4. The Possibilities
As doleful as ‘Still Life’ is, it constantly reverberates with hope. From TaeYang’s “Four times a year, then spring comes again” to DaeSung’s “For the day, the moment that will come again someday”, this song is laced with faith in the future. This could mean a new chapter for BIGBANG, solo activities, concerts, and more. The possibilities are truly endless. This might be the end of an era but a new one awaits. This isn’t goodbye, it is simply “see you later”.
What did you think of BIGBANG’s comeback? Share your thoughts with Kpopmap in the comments section down below! 5 Genres / Musical Elements We Think Could Show Up In BIGBANG’s Comeback Sound KPOP STORIES|Mar 10, 2022
