aespa Drop Second Full Album 'LEMONADE' Two Years After 'Armageddon'

aespa are back with their second full-length album LEMONADE, released two years after their May 2024 debut full album Armageddon. The group held a press conference on May 28 at the Sofitel Ambassador Hotel in Songpa-gu, Seoul to introduce the record.

The title track is an EDM song driven by a heavy synthesizer bass sound, built around the theme of agency and wit in the face of crisis. Karina described the concept as "calling the trials and pain that come your way a lemon, and turning it into delicious lemonade" — a message she hopes gives listeners energy. The group noted the shift from their signature "metallic" sound to something "sour" and refreshing, saying they aim to "own the summer."

The 10-track album includes pre-release single "WDA" featuring G-Dragon, which expressed a mutant self born from a crack in the universe through cold, heavy hip-hop rhythms; dance track "SHAKIN'," which carries a bold message about shaking up someone else's world; rock track "Can't Help Myself," blending cool vocals with rough guitar sounds; hyperpop track "Camouflage," defined by a refined synthesizer sound; and "Switchblade," featuring American hip-hop artist Ty Dolla $ign. The digital album also includes a version of "LEMONADE" featuring American Latin pop singer Becky G.

The album's lore centers on "Complaexity" — a multiverse — and a crack (Crack) that has formed in a parallel world. Jiselle noted that the lyric from "Next Level" — "never look back, don't covet the things of the wilderness" — connects directly to LEMONADE.

Winter said the album expands aespa's universe "one step further" and added, "I hope fans feel that aespa has opened another new door."

To mark the release, aespa will run the pop-up event "aespa WEEK – MAKE IT LEMONADE" from May 29 through June 7 at Yeouido and Banpo Han River Park in Seoul, with album lore and merchandise available at Yeouido IFC Mall. Simultaneous pop-ups will open in Los Angeles, New York, and Shenzhen, followed by events in Bangkok, Tokyo, and Taipei.

The group also announced a new world tour launching August 7–8 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul — their first-ever solo concert at the venue. Winter said, "I used to watch other artists perform at Gocheok Sky Dome and think, 'I hope we become artists like that someday.' I still can't believe we're headlining it with our second full album."

Source: Yonhap News Agency