Despite nearly ten title tracks across four years, I never once reviewed a SPICA song. So as much as I praised them, I didn't give them the love they needed. Sad sad sad. Thus they are rewarded by being the first retro review in over four years. Hopefully this will suffice. "Russian Roulette" was their essential debut - they released "Doggedly" before, but that was some more "predebut" bullshit. They were the standout vocalist group that set the precedent for Mamamoo, and "Russian Roulette" shows off their talent with a splendid-sounding track.
Nowadays people talk about Red Velvet's "Russian Roulette" but SPICA's version has it beat in all aspects. ...I mean I guess RV's is more catchy, but whatever. Not for my narrative. Bohyun and Boa are the vocal leaders and remind me that I've still continued to push back on Girl Group Vocalist Power Rankings (among other posts and ideas). Hell they even had Boa rap for a little, which while weird, did not negatively influence most opinions of the song. Thinking back on it, very impressive considering the number of girl group songs that are ruined by their rap segments alone. Sihyun does more of the true rapping and her part here was parallel to how her rap history panned out with the group. Even Jiwon, ex-T-ARA finalist and labelled as the face does quite well in the support role. Arguably the best female support vocalist that also doubled as a group visual. Unlike others who improved over the years to be serviceable, Jiwon was good from the start.
Doing verdicts for an old song is weird but "Russian Roulette" has more than survived the passage of time. SPICA is no more, but this song continues to live on in our hearts. It's emphatic and there's no fluff: just five members with vocal prowess killing it. I doubt I'll ever make a Best Of SPICA post, but it's arguably their second best title track after the exciting masterpiece that was "Tonight." Gosh what an awkward video thumbnail.
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