Awesome Music / GFRIEND

One of the most remarkable characteristics of GFRIEND's discography is a nostalgic feeling incorporated in different genres, making them a group with a recognizable signature sound.

The performances are a good complement to the songs, since they are known for their choreography and it beautifully conveys the story and message of the songs, whether it's theatrical and sentimental or playful and dynamic. The lyrics are another good addition since storytelling and text painting are some of their charms.

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Title Tracks

• "Glass Bead" is an old K-Pop revival bringing a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of old girl groups and the eternal innocence concept with a symbolic message presenting the group as delicate but unbreakable. This song was inspired by the girls when the producers met them during their pre-debut days.
• "Me Gustas Tu" is a feel good summery love song with hard-hitting choreography that gained a lot of love becoming the first song from the third generation of K-Pop to break significant records. It manages to be catchy and refreshing.
• "Rough" is an epic song with orchestral instruments and electric guitar following the bittersweet lyrics with clock motifs, later becoming even sadder with a rearranged ballad performed on the Go Go GFRIEND tour.
• "Navillera" is very youthful and energetic as it displays an electric guitar solo while they lose themselves (like a butterfly as the song says) in a lively dance break in this retro and vibrant pop song.
• "Fingertip" is another song with retro and rock influences incorporating a bombastic funky beat and a strong bass line that can hype anyone.
• "Love Whisper" is a breezy pop song with nature motifs and a throwback to their early sound.
• "Summer Rain" is a delicate mid-tempo and beautiful portrait of longing using the beauty and unpredictable nature of rain. The highlight being a sample from Schumann's Dichterliebe, Op.48.
• "Time For The Moon Night" is a highlight in their discography, the soft vocals and evocative lyrics expressing the sense of melancholy blend with symphonic elements. Even if the build-up is lighter compared with their other sentimental songs, the climax is no less awesome.
• "Sunny Summer" is a refreshing dance-pop song with funky percussion and brass instruments in the chorus reminiscent of city pop.
• "Memoria", an ethereal and lyrical song with a strong chorus, is full of emotion and beautiful harmonization.
• "Sunrise" starts with a soft piano, developing into a bubbly pre-chorus just to reach a powerful chorus as the song goes through a series of theatrical twists until the climax.
• "Flower" is a sophisticated orchestral dance-pop song with a tango-inspired dance break.
• "Fever" has a light moombahton drop and the instrumentation keeps building a constant edgy atmosphere in this trendy tropical house song.
• "Fallin' Light" is a soothing orchestral and emotional pop song with elegant strings, dreamy chorus and rich vocals.
• "Crossroads" is wistful and cinematic. The members deliver the lyrics with so much longing, expressing a sentiment close to sorrow and regret. An agonizing confusion of not knowing which path to take, but claiming that "Whichever road I take / They all turn back to you". A highlight is the climax, when there is a brief silence followed by Yuju opening through it and leading to the powerful last chorus.
• "Apple" seduces the listener as the song also exudes confidence and lush vocals. That's a witchy song that brings the most alluring, mysterious and esoteric feeling. The lyrics show a temptation that's taken willingly, being a fresh take on this theme. It's the first title track where the members participated in songwriting, with the bridge written by Eunha being a highlight.
• "Mago" is a dreamy and addicting retro-inspired track following the witchy concept, but this time delivering an empowering yet bittersweet theme and melody and, ironically, being a perfect final song for the group since it's as anthemic and emblematic as their debut song. The members took part one more time in songwriting (all members had credits in the album), with another highlight coming from Eunha, who composed the insanely catchy hook.

B-sides

• The members chose subunits for their last full album, where they could choose what kind of concept, sound and theme they would follow, and these were the results:
  • Yerin and Sinb joined for "Secret Diary", a soft and cute R&B-inspired track. The former wrote the song based on their friendship, and the latter helped in composing.
  • "Night Drive" is a Yuju and Eunha duet, a very praised ballad for the chill and dreamy atmosphere, and a showcase of their beautiful songwriting.
  • "Better Me" is probably the most personal song from the trinity, where they used a flower as a metaphor for empowerment. Sowon and Umji dance to this Latin-inspired song, encouraging the listener to not have fear and show themselves, but don't worry, everyone has their own time to bloom.
• "Labyrinth" is an EDM meets rock track with mysterious lyrics linked with their lore, a loved B-side for its power and groovy beat since it goes as hard as tracks like "Fingertip".
  Sowon: It tells a story of a girl who faces an identity crisis in a maze-like world, agonizing over whether to stay or escape from it.
• "Hear The Wind Sing" is an upbeat deep house song with elegant violins.
• With a sound reminiscent of Garbage's "I'm Only Happy When It Rains", "Love Spell" is one of those unique tracks for the group and the scene in general, a delicious alternative rock-inspired track infused with pop melodies. The members' voices are almost unrecognizable as they experiment with a new delivery.
• "Rainbow" was an instant fan favorite, its Rock influences demonstrated by electric guitars and powerful lyrics:
  The rain clouds that pass by make me become a scared child. In this harsh world, among the countless people... Where can I place my soft heart? [...] Shining above the scars, I’m connected to you by something that can’t be seen.
• "Paradise" is a funky pop song leaning to acoustic with band instruments, highlighting an amazing bass line.
• "You Are Not Alone" is another fan favorite. It's a melancholic, ballad-like yet powerful song with a heartwarming message:
  You are not alone.
  You can lean on me, it’s alright.
  When it’s hard to breathe, take a rest. It’s okay.
• "Three of Cups" is a fun and contagious city pop song and ode to female friendship.
• The chorus from "Here We Are" hits you with force and passionate sentiments conveyed by the explosive vocals. The na na na na na na being another highlight of the song.
• "Love Bug" is a saccharine cute pop song loved for its retro jazz beat.
• "Rain in the Spring Time" is one of their most loved ballads with soothing vocals melting through the song.
• "Gone With The Wind" is a youthful song with an upbeat melody and dubstep-driven dance break.
• "Mr. Blue" has a tropical rhythm with beautiful strings comparing love to a deep blue sea. Also, Yuju's Melismatic Vocals.
• Some of MIO^note former in-house producers songs shouldn't be forgotten for their lyrical narrative and haunting atmosphere style:
  • "La Pam Pam" starts with a Lyrical Cold Open being driven by strings to a resonant and lyrical chorus, evoking a sentiment similar to Coldplay's "Viva La Vida".
  • "Flower Garden" is also introduced with Eunha's Lyrical Cold Open and keeps a dreamy sound, but with a gloomy emotion following the evocative melody and lyrics:
    Our forgotten dream magically becomes a flower and blooms.
    Even though you say there is nothing like forever in this world,
    I think that in our minds our memories are forever.
  • "My My My" is the most upbeat and uplifting of these songs, featuring a pop rock sound and catchy lyrics.
  • "Please Save My Earth" has a mystical feeling surrounding the melody, giving a romantic and mysterious aura to the song.
• "Eye of the Storm" is a melodic and epic rock song based on one of Yuju's diary entries; it truly will make you feel like you are being swept away by a swirling typhoon trying not to lose yourself. The original name, "Eye of Storm's Time", refers to a needed time alone in the middle of chaos.
  Yuju:: The song depicts the moments I spent alone focusing on myself and holding on to my identity.
• "Wish" is a dance pop song with an addictive melody; you can't help wanting to dance to it.
• "Windy Windy" is known for Yuju's Incredibly Long Note, but it's also loved for the feel good atmosphere.
• "Ave Maria" invokes the 80s feelings with bouncy beats and Disco influences.
• "Beautiful" is a heartfelt song that sounds like a soundtrack for an indie movie with yellow poster, exhaling happiness as it embraces you with a heartwarming feeling.
• "From Me" is one of the most beautiful lyrics from their discography. The song is a mid-tempo number with an acoustic opening and sorrowful vocals delivering a self-love message with sincerity.
  Behind the pretense of being strong, I’m just a young child.
  The moment I got used to the darkness,
  The stars fell and fell.
• "Crème Brûlée" has soft vocals and an "easy-to-listen" melody. It's between playful, bubbly and lush.
• "Compass" is a House oriented track about following your dreams. They dedicated it to the fans during concerts. In 2020, they sang an Unplugged Version for YHY's Sketchbook.
• "Wheel of the Year" is the group's very last song, being a Sequel Song to "Compass" and built with enigmatic and emblematic imagery. The dreamy and GFRIEND-esque track narrates the members' wish to move forward to see what's on the other side of the moon, borrowing from the symbol the concept of time being circular. They will keep running with no regrets.
• "It's You" is soft and sultry in its melody and vocals.
• Seeing the world as a "Room of Mirrors" is the song's theme. An elegant, ballroom-like and dramatic melody delivers lyrics about the confusing emotions of self-image in an environment that incites envy, jealousy and insecurity.
• "Hope" is a nostalgic and self-written song dedicated to fans blending in the New Jack Swing genre.
• "Stairs in the North" is a Rock ballad based on Sinb's shared perspective and feelings about the group's trajectory, a Tearjerker for fans. The slow-burn tone is highlighted by the climactic electric guitar solo.
  "The lyrics are about how the scenery that can be seen when going down the stairs couldn't be seen when they climbed up the same stairs breathlessly. It tells us that we can go up again through the energy we get when we go down, so a warm comfort is offered."
• "Only 1" shows a mature side with a sophisticated song and performance.
• "Sweety" is addictive and whimsical, you couldn't expect less from a kawaii future bass track.
• "Contrail" has ragtime influences and a cool and catchy rhythm.
• "Crush" opens with a dramatic open, but like "Contrail" it has a cool rhythm and mature sound matching with the New Sound Album theme from The Awakening.
• The energy boost coming from "Smile" makes the song a vibrant and uplifting bubblegum pop.
• "Eclipse" is an elegant song with subtle tango influences.
• "Tarot Cards" is an energetic and high tempo song (and probably the most anime-like song from their entire discography, that could easily be an opening for Cardcaptor Sakura). It uses the act of playing tarot cards as a metaphor for wishing that someone else would make a difficult decision on behalf of oneself. Yuju, Umji and Eunha wrote the song; the latter helped in the composition as well.
• "Beginning of Love" is a euphoric song, reflecting the title. It feels like a festival and happiness is all over it.
• The wistful opening for "Dreamcatcher" sets the tone for a romantic song with vocals full of emotions.
• "Vacation" is a fun Spelling Song with tropical vibes matching with the summer theme from Sunny Summer.
• "Love in the Air" is a throwback synth-pop song ending with a Power-Up Motif and has a performance that resembles a musical theater number.
• "Tik Tik" is another retro song with a dance rhythm and funny lyrics.
• "GRWM (Get Ready With Me)" is thematically similar to "Life is a Party", an upbeat track inviting the listener to have a good time with them.

Others

• "Love Rain" is an R&B song by Yuju in collaboration with Suran. The song has a comforting feeling, perfect to listen to on a rainy day while driving in your car.
• "eve love", a sweet tune with warm lyrics, was a Christmas gift from Umji with Snowy Sleigh Bells and everything. It started from her wish to create a song from scratch.
• "Secret" is one of the many original soundtracks from Yuju. The song is haunting and her vocals are chilling, building up to her insane runs towards the ending.
• "Wow Thing" is a special collaboration with Sinb and members from other girl groups. The song is funky and addicting. Same with "Taxi", another catchy girl group special with retro influences (very reminiscent of Wonder Girls), but here it's Eunha that joins the team.
• Eunha lent her bubbly tone to "Inferiority Complex", making it extra fun, cute and the highlight of the song (another similar collaboration was "Blossom").
• "Welcome" showcases Umji's charming voice well as she delivers a bubbly rendition of the song from a cat's point of view and shows her vocal growth from her first original soundtrack "The Way" that's sweet and soothing.
• Yuju rearranged her seasonal hit song "Spring is Gone by Chance" with rewritten rap parts. A refreshing song, perfect for spring.
• Sinb is known for being the fierce member, but ironically, her original soundtracks showcased her sweet and honey-like tone perfectly, as in "You Are Like My Dream" and the remake of "Loveable".
• There are some covers that are so loved that we could say the members claimed them as if they were their own songs:
  • "Downtown Baby" is a melodically dark rap song where Yuju brings her vocals, making it uniquely hers and showing a warm and charming tone that's new for anyone who knows her for the clear and bright high notes.
  • Eunha turned IU's "Lilac" even more dreamy, showing how she nails this sound and concept. Her airy tone perfectly fits it and elevates the city pop.
  • Umji's rendition of "Lemon" is a fan favorite, and to this day she's asked to upload officially. Her clear voice brings a dreamy and sweet layer to the song.
  • Sowon melted fans with her first official cover "Pretend", perfectly suited for her voice. Yerin also surprised fans with her first cover of "I Wish", showcasing a powerful tone that she usually doesn't use in their songs.
  • Umji showed off her playful and sweet voice in a rendition of DoKyungsoo's "Rose". Same with Yuju in her Self-Backing Vocalist rendition of BTS's "Dynamite".
  • "Like Ooh Ahh" is a very praised and loved cover despite it being so difficult, sometimes impossible, to replicate the charisma of an original singer (the songs are tailored for them after all). It helped that they could incorporate their own charms into it well, like their sharp dance and high notes.

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