Next Level (Aespa song)

"Next Level"
Single by Aespa
Language
  • Korean
  • English
ReleasedMay 17, 2021 (2021-05-17)
StudioSM BoomingSystem (Seoul)
Genre
Length3:41
Label
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)Yoo Young-jin
Aespa singles chronology
"Forever"
(2021)
"Next Level"
(2021)
"Savage"
(2021)
Remixes cover
iScreaM Vol. 10 : Next Level Remixes cover
iScreaM Vol. 10 : Next Level Remixes cover
Music video
"Next Level" on YouTube

"Next Level" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa, which remakes A$ton Wyld's song of the same name. It was released digitally on May 17, 2021, by SM Entertainment. Composed by Yoo Young-jin, Adam McInnis, Mario Marchetti, and Sophie Curtis, the track is described as a dance and hip hop song with an upbeat new jack swing bridge. The song is a continuation of the group's story from their debut single "Black Mamba", telling their journey into the fictional Kwangya universe to search for the aforementioned "evil".

Upon its release, "Next Level" received positive reviews from critics for its hip-hop production and the members' performance. The song is the group's first top-five hit in their native country, their second top-five entry on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, and their second entry on the Billboard Global 200, making Aespa only the third South Korean girl group to appear on the global chart more than once. It eventually achieved several accolades by the end of 2021 and 2022, most notably both the Best K-Pop Song and Song of the Year at the 19th Korean Music Awards, making aespa the first SM idol girl group to win more than once within the awards, and the second girl group in the award's history to win the latter category, following fellow labelmate Girls' Generation's victory in 2010.