Aespa's third EP, My World, is an absolute breath of fresh air in the K-pop realm, expanding the possibilities of sound and mood within the genre on a short but exciting half-dozen tracks. From the surprisingly cinematic scope of opening song and lead single "Welcome to My World" (featuring SMCU's Naevis on backing vocals) -- which transports with soaring vocals, restraint, and a heart-pounding slow build -- to the tender, acoustic guitar-based closing ballad "'Til We Meet Again," My World provides enough proof that this crew can do anything. The most rousing moments on the EP arrive with the one-two punch of the electro-dance "Spicy" and the flirtatious, bass-heavy "Salty & Sweet," which could have been Pussycat Dolls songs from an alternate, mid-2000s universe. "Thirsty" provides a smooth, alt-R&B cooldown, setting up the bittersweet, midtempo "I'm Unhappy." While not as raucous or immediate as 2021's Savage, My World builds upon the promise of 2022's Girls, tightening up the focus and delivering an exciting peek at Aespa's future. ~ Neil Z. Yeung