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Charli XCX: Reinventing Pop Music

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Since her debut album, *True Romance*, in 2013, Charli XCX has been reshaping the world of pop, setting herself apart with her daring, synth-driven sound and unconventional style. Early on, her...

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Harry Styles’ Last Tour and His Well-Deserved Break: A Journey of

November 18, 2024

Harry Styles has become one of the most captivating performers of this generation, and his last tour, “Love on Tour,” was a testament to his evolution from boy band member to solo superstar...

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Metro Boomin: The Architect Behind Modern Hip-Hop

November 14, 2024

In the changing landscape of hip-hop, few producers have done more than Metro Boomin. His signature sound and sonic innovation have made him not only the most popular star in the industry but has...

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Adele’s Triumphant Return: The Impact of Her Music on Healing and Resilience

November 14, 2024

Few artists capture life’s rawest emotions like Adele. From her breakout album “19” to her latest release “30,” her music has consistently resonated with listeners, offering comfort and strength...

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Arctic Monkeys: Tracing the Growth and Lasting Influence of the UK’s Iconic Band

November 14, 2024

As their first UK tour since 2018 quickly approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on the remarkable journey and lasting impact of one of the UK’s most cherished bands: Arctic Monkeys...

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The Mastermind behind the Game of Thrones soundtrack - Ramin Djawadi

November 14, 2024

Ramin Djawadi, a German composer of Iranian descent, has established himself as one of the most innovative and influential composers in Hollywood, particularly through his work on the HBO series...

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Sabrina Carpenter: Rising Beyond Challenges to Shine in the Music World

November 13, 2024

Sabrina Carpenter’s journey from a young Disney star to a full-fledged pop sensation is a story of resilience, evolution, and unwavering passion. More than just an actress-turned-singer, Carpenter...

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Mitski: Redefining Modern Womanhood Through Music

November 13, 2024

In today’s music scene, few artists capture the complexities of womanhood as honestly as Mitski Miyawaki. Known simply as Mitski, she’s become a powerful voice for the modern woman, exploring...

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The Artistry and Impact of Raye: A Dynamic Voice in Modern Pop Music

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British singer-songwriter Raye, born Rachel Agatha Keen, has carved out a distinct space in the contemporary music scene with her soul-stirring lyrics and unique voice. Known for her candidness and...

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Unlocking the Art of Confessional Songwriting with Gracie Abrams

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In an industry bursting with noise, Gracie Abrams has mastered the rare art of making listeners lean in. Her songs, built on confessional storytelling, cut through the clutter by speaking directly...

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Olivia Rodrigo: Giving Voice to Gen-Z's Fear, Anger, and Anxiety

November 13, 2024

Olivia Rodrigo’s music resonates deeply with Gen-Z. Her songs—raw, fierce, and honest—are filled with fear, anger, and anxiety, emotions that define the reality of today’s teens. As much as we’d...

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How Taylor Swift Masterminded Her Way to Global Success

November 11, 2024

Taylor Swift’s success is no accident; it's built on an unmatched knack for songwriting. According to Toby Koenigsberg, Associate Professor and Chair of Popular Music, Swift’s songs are both...

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With T.O.P.'s Departure from YG due to mental health struggles, is this the End of Big Bang?

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Photo: Jeff Kravitz / Getty Images

After a long 4 year’s K-pop group Big Bang makes a comeback to the music scene with the song “Still Life.” This song has become another banger from the group reminding fans of the music they once heard from them years back. The song emphasises where the band and the fans are at in their lives right now and as the lyrics say “Goodbye now to my beloved young days” it shows they have grown since the last time they were in the public. It’s a little reflective of their past and as a slight reminder of where things are going from now on. 

The music video is a little different from music videos of their past as their are no group shots at all and each scene is each member showcasing their different styles individually. It was beautifully shot and a great way to start their careers backup so the fans can get to know who they are now.

Photo: BIGBANG - '봄여름가을겨울 (Still Life)' M/V

Big Bang has been well known for writing their own music, specifically T.O.P and G-Dragon being credited for this new song. There were some very deep lyrics giving us insight into the personal feelings of the members. 

 

After much anticipation for the group’s return we were sad to hear that this was going to be T.O.P’s only participation for a long time as he’s decided to end his contract with YG Entertainment. T.O.P has decided to pursue more opportunities individually as an artist and other projects he may come across. It has been stated that he may participate with the group some time in the future but has no current plans to be involved.

 

With T.O.P’s departure from the group we can’t help but think he may be struggling with mental health issues. He’s stated in the past that he’s experienced a lot of depression in his life since he was a young boy. He always thought he was much more sensitive than the other kids and in an interview says “I was born to be sad.” Just a few years ago he experienced some legal issues that worsened his depression and he opened up about almost ending his life during that time. 

 

As we all know the music industry can be a hard place to grow, no matter the amazing experiences it may bring it is a dark place where many artists face battles we may never know. Artists are human like the rest of us and go through depression and hard times but with their every move being watched. It must be incredibly difficult for musicians to push through these moments when the whole world is judging you, so T.O.P needing to take a step back for himself is a very commendable move that we hope fans take into consideration while the group moves on without him. We wish T.O.P success in any project he sets out for himself without Big Bang and maybe see him with the group again, later on in the future.

 

There is much speculation that Big Bang is at the end of their careers after the news of T.O.P ending his contract. There are comparisons to situations with other groups, for example Zayn leaving One Direction leading to the group’s end or Camila Cabello with Fifth Harmony. On the upside we’ve seen group’s succeed after a member leaves like Latin Group CNCO when Joel Pimentel left the group they both went separate ways in good terms and are thriving alongside each other. In the end every group is different and has the potential of success no matter what and with the support of loyal fans Big Bang will grow and be better than ever.