[Review] GFriend - Apple

For the first time in ages, I've topped over 80 hours on Steam in the last two weeks. This is thanks to Gunfire Reborn, a game in which I'll eventually hold a speedrun record for. But anyway! GFriend have joined the summer soiree, bringing something nutritious to the table with "Apple." As someone that hasn't paid much attention to the Kpop landscape in a while, it should be refreshing to hear some classic GFriend music.

That apple is the most fake I've ever seen in a music video. But then Eunha faints and we get right into the hard-hitting bass instrumental that is a rare sight for this group. The typical GFriend formula is pretty much gone as "Apple" houses the most diverse and varying line distribution and order we've heard from these girls. Many a time I've written about how GFriend are just the younger version of Apink, and it seems that parallel rings true even to this day. As Apink grew out of their old shell and started shifting towards a more mature sound and image, GFriend stayed true to their style for a little longer. But now they've also mirrored that growth because holy shit that's a completely different visual set. The dresses are absolutely stunning and some of the makeup is special. SinB, Sowon, and Yerin took my breath way with the darker aesthetics. And those dresses expose their legs which means Sowon really shines. I still can't believe she's that tall. But yeah, a new sound is partnered with a new image which completes the final product.

That choreography also matches their evolution because the moves are more sensual, and they throw in a bunch of different formations too. Again, having six members lets choreographers really play around if they know what they're doing. And the minds behind this dance know what they're doing. But perhaps the most unique thing of all in "Apple" is the chorus. Simply put, it is so different from anything they've ever done - sort of like how new "Fingertip" was - and it's really cool having their softer voices clash with the electric instrumental. Spreading the wealth around instead of having one of their main vocalists sing the whole thing was nice. What comes after the chorus...I'm not so fond of. It's just so weak by comparison. Granted it's an addictive hook so if any part of this song is to be stuck in my head it'll be that, but I'm not gonna be happy about it. Surprisingly, the bridge of "Apple" is the high point. This is rare because traditional GFriend bridges are a slow build to the final chorus where Yuju and Eunha strut their stuff. But this time around it's a beautiful collection of voices that work together. Never thought I'd see the day where the bridge was the masterpiece of a GFriend song.

Ever since joining BigHit, we wondered if GFriend would get a little bit of that BTS magic infused in their material. Well if "Crossroads" was the teaser for the new GFriend, then "Apple" is the main course. Beautifully crafted and straying for their usual selves, the members deliver in teamwork, voice, and visual. Match things up with appropriate cinematography and choreography, and voila. Solid continuation of their new journey.