Song Review:: GFRIEND: Seasons of Memories

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  • Release date: 2025 January 13
  • Album tracklist: Seasons of Memories, Always

  • Album runtime: 6 minutes

 When I started this, I figured the odds of getting a new GFRIEND song was slim, not impossible as what I've heard from them seems to be an indication that they've wanted this, but slim. And yet, here we are to my surprise that I don't just get to do one GFRIEND song, I get to do two, one now and one later. It fills me with hope for certain other things, I'm not going to lie. But. For all the Buddies out there, I hope you enjoy the present you've gotten. And I'm also pleased just as me to discover that I was correct, and they didn't disband, per their own words. Their notice doesn't use the word disbandment.

There's something fascinatingly anime about this song's instrumentals, but specifically the kind of fantasy genre anime with a lot of action where the opening makes you think it's some soft, heartwarming adventure, but it's actually gut-wrenching and will make you sob uncontrollably at three in the morning and think about nothing else for three weeks. It's a little bit funky, a little bit groovy, and both pleasant and energizing. This is a good combination. 

There's also something very satisfying about their voices. Tonally, they don't have the same kind of big, brassy voices as MAMAMOO or Dreamcatcher, but you can also hear the excellent breath control and support, so even though the style is different, they still have very strong voices. The last third or so of the song has some very nice harmonizing and ad-libs. But there's such a sense of joy to their voices that even though I have no idea what they're saying, I find myself smiling along with them and wanting to bask.

Updating this now that the music video is out. I may have cried a little. Okay, I'm sure it was obvious, but I'm pleased that I pinged that it sounded anime-like and also that part of the music video was in fact animated. But this is such a cute music video. It really is. I don't know how much "lore" as such the group has, like the SM groups, ATEEZ, Stray Kids, xikers, etc., but I love the use of the train as a metaphor for journey, especially when it transitioned into the film strip containing their memories. That was beautifully done. They're all gorgeous, and I love their styling for this. Their dresses look rather ballerina-esque, which is lovely to see. And also, this is such a love letter to their fans and to their group. Hence the tears. Congratulations, Buddies! Congratulations on your anniversary, GFRIEND!



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