10/10 Song Review: Gfriend's 'Rough' is a perfect coming-of-age song

Oftentimes, especially with adults, there is a perspective that art made for children and teenagers is somehow not art at all, and inferior to more "mature" art. I call this thinking what it is, pure preposterous, self-importance from adults who fail to value the importance of youth. There is a reason Calvin and Hobbes is considered a classic comic strip, it tells the story of youth as the youth would tell it, full of imagination and creativity.

Gfriend's Rough falls into the list of songs that understands youth. The theme of a first love never really ending up working is something nearly all individuals will be able to relate to at least a certain level. Recently, there has been a lot of debate over how the K-Pop industry handles youthful girl group songs. These criticisms are legitimate, and Rough is a perfect example of how to do this type of song correctly. Yes, the song is innocent and cute, but it has emotional weight and drama. Each moment of feeling feels earned as if it is something that naturally progressed.

As of late, it feels like I am always complaining about execution and melody for concepts. Rough is how to do this right. Even as rookies, the six members of Gfriend were powerhouse vocalists, emoting at their very best. I really can't pick a favorite, because they all play off each other quite well. Off-topic, but can you believe these are the same girls of Mago?

The true legends behind rough, Seo Youngbae and Iggy, however, are what send Rough from a fantastic song into one of the greatest coming-of-age songs of all time. The production, the production! While a fluffy pop song at first, make no mistake, Rough borrows as much from power metal as it does from bubblegum pop. Perhaps the most notable example is the epic rock riff near the end of the song, but my favorite would likely be the final note of the pre-chorus, Yerin's "Gidarilge Eonjekkajina". The merging of the pop melody perfectly pairs yet contrasts with the slamming rock riff. Each and every repetition, it is more and more pronounced, simply immaculate!

Even beyond the rock, Rough is perfectly produced. The strings and piano give it an ornamental feel that is as fresh and invigorating now as it was then. It knows when to pull back, and when to blast out with our emotions.

In music, melody is the monarch, and Rough has a melody for the ages. From SinB's quiet introduction to Yuju's relentless power note, the hooks are well-crafted and filled with emotional pathos. Some songs leave the verses as filler, not Rough, where the verses drown in slow-build storytelling. They work in their own right but leave you wondering where everything leads.

And that is when the chorus hits. The chorus is simply refrain after refrain, emotional beat after emotional beat. What I love is how the chorus plays around with its simple structure. Yuju's initial refrain is hearty and speedy, followed by Eunha's quiet reflection on growing up.

What makes Rough one of the best songs of all time, however, is how all these elements come together to make a perfect pop song. It understands the element of building towards a central goal. Everything comes together for the song's finale, where the rock riff merges with Yuju's high-note, the chorus, and the surging strings climax. Then, the song has the guts to pull everything back for another brief bridge, before jumping back into the chorus at full capacity, this time with everything crunched up to eleven. Then, the song has the guts to call its time, finishing there and then.

K-Pop has an issue with songs on growing up, and has famously goofed up so many examples. There are exceptions, of course, such as TXT's career for the most part. Girl's Generation's Into the New World is the best example of this, and Rough is clearly its spiritual successor. It sure is a worthy one, as Rough remains the crowning achievement of everyone involved, neither Gfriend, Seo Youngbae, nor Iggy's storied career afterward could measure up to this song. To be honest though, very little could.

Rating: 10/10

Purchase Gfriend's Rough and its accompanying album Snowflake right here!

Image Source: Daily Kpop News