Queendom (EP)

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Queendom
Red Velvet – Queendom.jpeg
Digital cover
EP by
Red Velvet
ReleasedAugust 16, 2021 (2021-08-16)
Genre
Length19:34
LanguageKorean
Label
Red Velvet chronology
The ReVe Festival: Finale
(2019) 		Queendom
(2021)
Singles from Queendom
  1. "Queendom"
    Released: August 16, 2021

Queendom is the sixth Korean extended play and twelfth overall by South Korean girl group Red Velvet. Marketed as the group's sixth "mini album" release, it consists of six tracks, including the lead single of the same name. The EP was released digitally by SM Entertainment on August 16, 2021, and physically on August 17, 2021.

Background and release[]

On June 9, 2021, SM Entertainment announced that Red Velvet would be making their comeback in August with a new album.[1] From July 26 to August 1, Red Velvet held a promotional event titled "Queens Mystic General Store" through their Instagram account leading up to their seventh debut anniversary and anticipated comeback.[2] The promotional event showcased props used in their previous music videos, and was intended to heighten the anticipation for the announcement of their comeback and release of their promotional schedule.[3] On August 2, it was announced that Red Velvet would be releasing their sixth extended play titled Queendom, containing six tracks.[4] The extended play is marketed by SM Entertainment as the group's sixth "mini album".[5] On August 3, the promotional schedule for their comeback was released, which included concept photos, promotional posters, and a teaser of the upcoming music video for the title track "Queendom".[6] The EP was released digitally on August 16, and physically the following day.[7]

Composition[]

Queendom consists of six songs and incorporates various genres such as dance, R&B, and soul.[8] The title track "Queendom" was described as a dance-pop song with a "refreshing atmosphere".[9] The B-side track "Pose" was described as an "up-tempo pop dance" song with an "impressive energetic bass line" and "fast-changing drum".[10] "Knock on Wood" was musically described as a "fairytale-like electro-punk" song with lyrics that detail the "hope to get someone to like you" as well as "the act of knocking on wood for good luck".[11] "Better Be" was called a "witty R&B pop" song characterized by Red Velvet's "dreamy vocals and rich harmonies" and lyrically described as "not giving up easily to the person you like".[12] "Pushin' N Pullin" was described as a "medium-tempo pop R&B" song with a "friendly and gentle message" and lyrics that "tell us to trust in the time we spent together with the person who is pushed with anxiety in [a] relationship".[13] "Hello, Sunset" is a "slow-tempo R&B ballad" that "creates a late summer sensibility", characterized by a "subtle drum rhythm, refreshing electric guitar, and dreamy piano performance" and lyrics about a "confession" of being together with loved ones.[14]

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic73/100[15]
Review scores
SourceRating
Beats Per Minute80%[16]
NME3/5 stars[17]
Pitchfork6.7/10[18]
PopMatters8/10[19]

Upon its release, Queendom received generally positive reviews from music critics. On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized score out of 100 to ratings from publications, the album received a mean score of 73 based on 4 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15]

Rhian Daly from NME described the EP as "playing it safe; cautiously dipping a toe back in the water rather than making a big splash to signal their return".[17] Joshua Minsoo Kim writing for Pitchfork called the EP "perfectly adequate, but the release itself never reaches the group's former heights" and "doesn't overflow with excellence". He further added that the title track "rarely offers the quintet the chance to flaunt their vocal prowess", feeling it is "too low-key" and "frustratingly one-dimensional" while labelling other songs on the EP "similarly unambitious, but a couple of its other songs at least have everything in order". Overall, he stated the EP "both falters and thrives in simplicity" and gave it a score of 6.7 out of 10.[18]

Ana Clara Ribeiro from PopMatters described the EP as crème brûlée, comparing the dessert's "simplicity and accessibility in its taste" to Red Velvet's music. Overall, she stated the EP "not all songs from Queendom will be most listened by the fans, and it's not because any of these songs are poor" while explaining that we "don't eat dessert because we need basic nutrients for our body" but because we want to "taste something delicious and Queendom tastes delicious".[19] JT Early from Beats Per Minute described the EP as "an all-killer summer project exploring the themes of empowerment, romance and its accompanying obstacles". and stated the EP "ticks all the boxes that fans would want" and has "great replay value".[16]

Commercial performance[]

In South Korea, the EP debuted at position 2 on the Gaon Album Chart in the chart issue dated August 15–21, 2021.[20] In the United Kingdom, the EP debuted at position 17 on the UK Digital Albums in the chart issue dated August 20, 2021.[21] In Japan, the EP debuted at position 41 on Billboard Japan Hot Albums in the chart issue dated August 25, 2021.[22] In the United States, the EP debuted at position 16 and 11 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums and World Albums chart, respectively, in the chart issue dated August 28, 2021.[23][24]

Track listing[]

Track listing for Queendom
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Queendom"Jo Yoon-kyung
minGtion (밍지션)3:01
2."Pose"Lee Seu-ran
  •  [sv]
  •  [sv]
  • Ylva Dimberg
  • Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker
  • Fabian Torsson
  • Harry Sommerdahl
  • Ylva Dimberg
  • Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker
3:20
3."Knock on Wood"Seo Ji-eum
  • Jonatan Gusmark (Moonshine)
  • Ludvig Evers (Moonshine)
  • Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker
  • Ellen Berg
  • Jonatan Gusmark (Moonshine)
  • Ludvig Evers (Moonshine)
3:40
4."Better Be"Kim In-hyung (Jam Factory)
  • Skylar Mones
  • Andreas Öberg
3:00
5."Pushin' N Pullin"Kenzie
  • Kenzie
  • Mike Daley
  • Mitchell Owens
  • Nicole Cohen
  • Mike Daley
  • Mitchell Owens
3:03
6."Hello, Sunset" (Korean: 다시 여름; RR: Dasi Yeoreum; lit. Again, Summer)Choi Bo-ra (153Joombas)
Sam Klempner3:30
Total length:19:34

Charts[]

Weekly chart performance for Queendom
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Finnish Physical Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[25] 8
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[22] 41
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[20] 2
UK Digital Albums (OCC)[21] 17
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[23] 16
US World Albums (Billboard)[24] 11

Release history[]

Release history for Queendom
Region Date Format Label
Various August 16, 2021
South Korea August 17, 2021 CD

References[]

  1. ^ Hwang Hye-jin (June 9, 2021). "SM 측 "레드벨벳 8월 컴백 준비중, 많은 기대 부탁"(공식)" [SM side "Red Velvet is preparing for a comeback in August, please look forward to it" (official)] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  2. ^ Ko Seung-ah (July 26, 2021). "레드벨벳, 신비로운 분위기 ... 아카이빙 프로모션 진행" [Red Velvet, mysterious atmosphere ... archiving promotion in progress] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  3. ^ Jeong Hee-yeon (July 26, 2021). "레드벨벳 8월 컴백 ... 아이린→슬기 비디오 공개 [공식]" [Red Velvet comeback in August ... Irene → Seulgi video released [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  4. ^ Park Seo-yeon (August 2, 2021). "레드벨벳, 16일 새 미니앨범 'Queendom' 발매 .. 서머퀸의 화려한 컴백[공식]" [Red Velvet, new mini album 'Queendom' released on the 16th .. Summer Queen's splendid comeback [Official]] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  5. ^ "레드벨벳 Red Velvet The 6th Mini Album 'Queendom'". SM Entertainment. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via Instagram.
  6. ^ Kang Da-yoon (August 3, 2021). "'16일 컴백' 레드벨벳, 새 미니앨범 '퀸덤' 스케줄 포스터 공개" ['Comeback on the 16th' Red Velvet unveils new mini album 'Queendom' schedule poster] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  7. ^ Seon Mi-kyung (August 16, 2021). ""모두가 퀸" .. 레드벨벳, 진짜 서머퀸의 빛나는 응원 '퀸덤'[퇴근길 신곡]" ["Everyone is a queen" .. Red Velvet, the real summer queen's shining cheer 'Queendom' [new song on the way home from work]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021 – via Naver.
  8. ^ "Queendom - The 6th Mini Album" (in Korean). SM Entertainment. August 16, 2021. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021 – via Melon.
  9. ^ Seon Mi-kyung (August 9, 2021). "'컴백' 레드벨벳, '퀸덤'으로 입증할 서머퀸" ['Comeback' Red Velvet, summer queen to prove with 'Queendom'] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Kwak Hyun-soo (August 10, 2021). "레드벨벳 수록곡 'Pose' 공개…에너제틱 매력 선사" [Red Velvet's b-side song 'Pose' released ... Energetic charm] (in Korean). YTN. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021 – via Naver.
  11. ^ Yoon Sang-geun (August 9, 2021). "레드벨벳, 'Queendom'으로 전할 감각적 음악 세계 ... 위트 더한다" [Red Velvet, 'Queendom' to convey the world of sensual music ... Adds wit] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  12. ^ Jeong Tae-yoon (August 9, 2021). ""수록곡, 미리 알고 듣자" ... 레드벨벳, '퀸덤' 스포일러" ["Let's listen to the included songs in advance" ... Red Velvet, 'Queendom' spoilers] (in Korean). Dispatch. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Kim Min-ji (August 11, 2021). "'컴백' 레드벨벳, '푸싱 앤 풀링'+'다시, 여름'으로 감성 충전 예고" ['Comeback' Red Velvet, 'Pushing and Pulling' + 'Again, Summer' to charge emotions] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  14. ^ Lee Sun-myung (August 11, 2021). "레드벨벳의 여름 감성을 느껴보자" [Let's feel the summer sensibility of Red Velvet] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Queendom by Red Velvet Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b JT Early (August 20, 2021). "Album Review: Red Velvet – Queendom". Beats Per Minute. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Rhian Daly (August 18, 2021). "Red Velvet – 'Queendom' review: a safe but sometimes spellbinding return from SM's ruling girl group". NME. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b Joshua Minsoo Kim (August 20, 2021). "Red Velvet: Queendom Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Ana Clara Ribeiro (August 18, 2021). "Red Velvet serve elegant flavors on 'Queendom'". PopMatters. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b "2021년 34주차 Album Chart" [Week 34 of 2021 Album Chart] (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. August 15–21, 2021. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Gaon Chart.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. August 20, 2021. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2021/08/25 公開" [Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2021/08/25 Public]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b "Billboard Heatseekers Albums – Week of August 28, 2021". Billboard. August 22–28, 2021. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "Billboard World Albums – Week of August 28, 2021". Billboard. August 22–28, 2021. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  25. ^ "Fyysinen albumilista – 33/2021" [Physical Album List – 33/2021] (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
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