Russian Roulette (Red Velvet EP)

Russian Roulette
Russian Roulette
	Digital cover
EP by Red Velvet
Released	September 7, 2016
Recorded	2016
Genre	Pop
Length	24:45
Language	Korean
Label	SM; Dreamus;
Red Velvet chronology
Singles from Russian Roulette
	"Russian Roulette"; Released: September 7, 2016;

Russian Roulette is the third Korean extended play by South Korean girl group Red Velvet. It was released on September 7, 2016, by SM Entertainment.

The album is the group's second 'Red' and 'Velvet' album, after releasing Ice Cream Cake in 2015. The EP consists of seven tracks, including the lead single "Russian Roulette".

Background and release

Despite earlier reports of Red Velvet having a summer comeback,^[2] SM Entertainment announced that the group would release a new album in September.^[3] Member and leader Irene talked about the difficulties the group faced while preparing for the album on the September 9 broadcast of the radio show Super Junior's Kiss the Radio and stated that it was "physically and mentally tiring as the comeback date kept getting postponed".^[4]

After revealing the first teaser on September 1, SM Entertainment announced that Red Velvet will release their third extended play on September 7, with seven tracks in the album. The album and title track were both titled Russian Roulette.^[5]

Composition

The title track "Russian Roulette" is a synth-pop song with arcade sound feel with a retro 8-bit sound source.^[6] The song was produced by Albi Albertsson, Belle Humble and Markus Lindell who also had a part in producing their previous album's title track "One of These Nights". Its lyrics compare the process of winning someone's heart with a game of Russian roulette. On the September 13 broadcast of SBS Power FM radio show "Choi Hwa-jung's Power Time", the members revealed that the song was written before they debuted. They heard the song then, when they were still trainees, not realizing they would release it.^[7]

"Lucky Girl" is a retro-style dance-pop song produced by Hayley Aitken and Ollipop with lyrics written by Kenzie. "Bad Dracula" was produced by Tomas Smågesjø, Choi Jin-Suk, and Nermin Harambasic from Dsign Music and American singer-songwriter Courtney Jenaé Stahl with lyrics by Jo Yun-gyeong, who also wrote the lyrics of the title track. "Sunny Afternoon" is a 90s throwback, slick song and is produced by Swedish producers Simon Petrén & Andreas Öberg, Maja Keuc and Kim One with Korean lyrics written by Jeong Ju Hee. "Fool" is an acoustic pop song written by January 8 of Jam Factory and composed by Malin Johansson and Josef Melin. "Some Love" is a tropical house song written and produced by Kenzie, while "My Dear" was written and produced by Hwang Hyun of MonoTree.^[8]

Promotion

Red Velvet held a special countdown to the release of their album through Naver's V app on September 6, just an hour before the release of "Russian Roulette"'s music video and the album. The group started their music show promotions on September 8, on M! Countdown, performing "Russian Roulette" and "Lucky Girl".^[9]^[10] This was followed by performances on Music Bank and Inkigayo where they also performed both songs.^[11]

Critical reception

Tamar Herman of Billboard wrote that the song was "more saccharine than their typical sound" and described the music video as a "bubbly, athletic-themed music video that offered fun times for all as a murderous ode to The Simpsons' impish duo Itchy and Scratchy."^[12] It ranked sixth on 20 Best Kpop Tracks of the Year by Dazed Digital. Taylor Glasby commented that the video "has a sinister combination of sweetness and threat" and called the song "devilishly satisfying".^[13]^[14]

Bradley Stern of PopCrush called the title track a "perky, retro-sounding electro-pop tune" that was expected from most k-pop idols, and praised the black comedy in the song's music video. He compared it to the film Jawbreaker and said it's "pretty genius".^[15]

Commercial performance

The album peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's World Albums Chart and peaked at No. 18 on Heatseekers Albums chart, their highest to date. The title track "Russian Roulette" also charted at No. 2 on World Digital Songs, making it their highest ranking on the chart.^[16] The album debuted at no. 1 on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart, with "Russian Roulette" charting at no. 3 on its Weekly Digital Chart, before rising to no. 2 one week later. All of the album's other tracks also charted.^[17]^[18] "Russian Roulette" became the most-viewed K-pop music video for the month of September in America and worldwide.^[19] The album peaked at number 63 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums for the week of September 19, 2016.^[20]

The group won their first music show trophy for "Russian Roulette" on the September 13 broadcast of The Show.^[21]

Track listing

*Russian Roulette* track listing
No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Arrangement	Length
1.	"Russian Roulette" (러시안 룰렛; Reosian Rullet)	Jo Yoon-kyung	Albi Albertsson (Mussashi) [de] Belle Humble Markus Lindell (TG Publishing)	Albi Albertsson (Mussashi) [de] Belle Humble Markus Lindell (TG Publishing)	3:31
2.	"Lucky Girl"	Kenzie	Hayley Aitken Ollipop (The Kennel)	Hayley Aitken Ollipop (The Kennel)	3:23
3.	"Bad Dracula"	Jo Yoon-kyung	Choi Jin Suk Nermin Harambašić Tomas Nerbø Smågesjø Courtney Jenaé Stahl	Choi Jin Suk	3:08
4.	"Sunny Afternoon"	Jung Joo-hee	Andreas Öberg Simon Petrén Maja Keuc Kim One	Andreas Öberg Simon Petrén Maja Keuc Kim One	4:00
5.	"Fool"	Jeon Ji-eun (January 8th (lalala Studio)) Hwang Seon-jeong (January 8th (lalala Studio)) Kim Jeong-mi (January 8th (lalala Studio))	Malin Johansson (Sons of Sweden) Josef Melin (Songs of Sweden) [sv]	Songs of Sweden	3:53
6.	"Some Love"	Kenzie	Kenzie	Kenzie	3:16
7.	"My Dear"	Hyun Hwang (MonoTree)	Hyun Hwang (MonoTree)	Hyun Hwang (MonoTree)	3:34
Total length:					24:51

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Russian Roulette.^[22]

Lee Soo-man – producer
Jeong Eun-kyeong – recording engineer
Kim Hyun-gon – recording engineer
Jang Woo-young – recording engineer
Lee Ji-hong – recording engineer
Hwang Hyun – recording engineer
Lee Ju-young – recording engineer
Choo Dae-kwan – recording engineer assistant
Nam Koong-jin (SM Concert Hall Studio) – mixing engineer
Koo Jong-pil (Beat Burger) (SM Yellow Tail Studio) – mixing engineer
Kim Cheol-soon (SM Blue Ocean Studio) – mixing engineer
Jeong Ui-seok (SM Blue Cup Studio) – mixing engineer
Tom Coyne (Sterling Sound) – master engineer
Min Hee-jin – creative director
Shin Hee-won – music video director
Min Hee-jin – design
Jo Woo-cheol – Graphic design
Kim Ye-min – Graphic design
Kim Ju-young – Graphic design
Kim Han-kyeol – Graphic design
No Hae-na – stylist
Jeong Seon-ee – hair stylist
Kim Ji-young – make-up artist
Kim Yong-min – executive supervisor
Red Velvet – vocals
- Irene – vocals
- Seulgi – vocals
- Wendy – vocals
- Joy – vocals
- Yeri – vocals

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
French Digital Albums (SNEP)^[23]	174
Japanese Albums (Oricon)^[24]	40
South Korean Albums (Gaon)^[25]	1
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)^[26]	18
US World Albums (Billboard)^[27]	2

Monthly charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)^[28]	4

Accolade

Year-end awards

Year	Organization	Award	Result
2017	Golden Disc Awards	Album Bonsang	Nominated

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Various	September 7, 2016	Digital download	SM Entertainment
South Korea	September 7, 2016	CD, digital download	SM Entertainment, KT Music

References

^ "Russian Roulette - The 3rd Mini Album". Genie Music (in Korean). Retrieved 19 November 2024.
^ Hwang, Hye-jin (May 26, 2016). SM 측 "레드벨벳 컴백 준비중, 일정 확정되면 발표". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved September 2, 2016.
^ Park, Young-woong (August 19, 2016). [단독] SM, 엑소 다음은 레드벨벳! 9월 새 앨범 컴백. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved September 2, 2016 – via Naver.
^ Lee, Teuk (September 9, 2016). Super Junior Kiss The Radio (in Korean). Seoul. KBS. KBS Cool FM.
^ Ahn, Woo-rim (September 1, 2016). "Red Velvet to Make Comeback on September 7". BNT News. BNT. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
^ Jo, In-woo (September 3, 2016). 레드벨벳, '러시안 룰렛'으로 컴백. The Korea Times (in Korean).
^ Kim, Soo-hyun (September 13, 2016). '최파타' 레드벨벳 "러시아 룰렛 데뷔 전부터 꽂혀... 애착多". The Korea Herald (in Korean). Retrieved September 14, 2016.
^ 컴백 레드벨벳, 세 번째 미니 앨범 'Russian Roulette' 베일 벗는다!. SM Town (in Korean). September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
^ Min, Susan (September 6, 2016). "Video: Red Velvet Drops Teaser Video for 'Russian Roulette'". eNewsWorld. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
^ Min, Susan (September 8, 2016). "Red Velvet to Perform 'Russian Roulette' for First Time on M Countdown". enewsWorld. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
^ Ahn, Eun-kyung (September 11, 2016). [예능리뷰] '인기가요' 레드벨벳, 청량함 가득한 '러시안 룰렛 (Russian Roulette)' 무대. Top Star News (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2016.
^ Herman, Tamar (September 7, 2016). "Red Velvet & Bobby Kick Off K-Pop's Wave of September Releases". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
^ Glasby, Taylor (October 12, 2016). "Meet the girl group breaking K-pop's rules". Dazed Digital. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
^ Glasby, Taylor (December 14, 2016). "The 20 best K-Pop tracks of the year". Dazed Digital. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
^ Stern, Bradley (September 6, 2016). "Red Velvet's 'Russian Roulette' Video Makes Murder Look Positively Adorable". PopCrush. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
^ Benjamin, Jeff (September 14, 2016). "Red Velvet Hits New Peak on World Digital Songs, Heatseekers Albums With 'Russian Roulette'". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
^ 2016년 37주차 Digital Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 19, 2016.
^ 2016년 38주차 Digital Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
^ Benjamin, Jeff (October 12, 2016). "Most Viewed K-Pop Videos in America, Around the World: September 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums | Charts". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 28, 2016.
^ Park, Soo-young (September 13, 2016). 레드벨벳, '더쇼' 1위... 큰절로 감사인사 "추석 잘 보내세요". Osen (in Korean). Retrieved September 15, 2016.
^ Red Velvet (2016). Russian Roulette (booklet) (in Korean). S.M. Entertainment.
^ "French Digital Albums: Week 36, 2016". September 2, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
^ CDアルバムランキング | 2016年09月19日付. Oricon (in Japanese). September 19, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
^ 2016년 37주차 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
^ "Red Velvet Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
^ "Red Velvet Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
^ 2016년 09월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.

[1] "Russian Roulette - The 3rd Mini Album". Genie Music (in Korean). Retrieved 19 November 2024.

[2] Hwang, Hye-jin (May 26, 2016). SM 측 "레드벨벳 컴백 준비중, 일정 확정되면 발표". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved September 2, 2016.

[3] Park, Young-woong (August 19, 2016). [단독] SM, 엑소 다음은 레드벨벳! 9월 새 앨범 컴백. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved September 2, 2016 – via Naver.

[4] Lee, Teuk (September 9, 2016). Super Junior Kiss The Radio (in Korean). Seoul. KBS. KBS Cool FM.

[5] Ahn, Woo-rim (September 1, 2016). "Red Velvet to Make Comeback on September 7". BNT News. BNT. Retrieved September 2, 2016.

[6] Jo, In-woo (September 3, 2016). 레드벨벳, '러시안 룰렛'으로 컴백. The Korea Times (in Korean).

[7] Kim, Soo-hyun (September 13, 2016). '최파타' 레드벨벳 "러시아 룰렛 데뷔 전부터 꽂혀... 애착多". The Korea Herald (in Korean). Retrieved September 14, 2016.

[8] 컴백 레드벨벳, 세 번째 미니 앨범 'Russian Roulette' 베일 벗는다!. SM Town (in Korean). September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.

[9] Min, Susan (September 6, 2016). "Video: Red Velvet Drops Teaser Video for 'Russian Roulette'". eNewsWorld. Retrieved September 7, 2016.

[10] Min, Susan (September 8, 2016). "Red Velvet to Perform 'Russian Roulette' for First Time on M Countdown". enewsWorld. Retrieved September 12, 2016.

[11] Ahn, Eun-kyung (September 11, 2016). [예능리뷰] '인기가요' 레드벨벳, 청량함 가득한 '러시안 룰렛 (Russian Roulette)' 무대. Top Star News (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2016.

[billboard-12] Herman, Tamar (September 7, 2016). "Red Velvet & Bobby Kick Off K-Pop's Wave of September Releases". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2016.

[13] Glasby, Taylor (October 12, 2016). "Meet the girl group breaking K-pop's rules". Dazed Digital. Retrieved October 13, 2016.

[14] Glasby, Taylor (December 14, 2016). "The 20 best K-Pop tracks of the year". Dazed Digital. Retrieved December 14, 2016.

[15] Stern, Bradley (September 6, 2016). "Red Velvet's 'Russian Roulette' Video Makes Murder Look Positively Adorable". PopCrush. Retrieved September 12, 2016.

[billboard2-16] Benjamin, Jeff (September 14, 2016). "Red Velvet Hits New Peak on World Digital Songs, Heatseekers Albums With 'Russian Roulette'". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2016.

[17] 2016년 37주차 Digital Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 19, 2016.

[18] 2016년 38주차 Digital Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.

[19] Benjamin, Jeff (October 12, 2016). "Most Viewed K-Pop Videos in America, Around the World: September 2016". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2016.

[20] "Billboard Japan Hot Albums | Charts". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 28, 2016.

[21] Park, Soo-young (September 13, 2016). 레드벨벳, '더쇼' 1위... 큰절로 감사인사 "추석 잘 보내세요". Osen (in Korean). Retrieved September 15, 2016.

[notes-22] Red Velvet (2016). Russian Roulette (booklet) (in Korean). S.M. Entertainment.

[23] "French Digital Albums: Week 36, 2016". September 2, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2019.

[24] CDアルバムランキング | 2016年09月19日付. Oricon (in Japanese). September 19, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2017.

[25] 2016년 37주차 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.

[ac_BillboardHeatseekers_Red_Velvet-26] "Red Velvet Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2016.

[ac_BillboardWorld_Red_Velvet-27] "Red Velvet Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2016.

[28] 2016년 09월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

Russian Roulette (Red Velvet EP)

Background and release

Composition

Promotion

Critical reception

Commercial performance

Track listing

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Accolade

Year-end awards

Release history

References

Read other articles:

Albania

The Sentry (organization)

Jung Ji-so

Eshnunna

Kitab Exeter

دوري نيوزيلندا لكرة القدم 2013–14

British Malaya

Charles Greeley Abbot

Awan antarbintang

Theodor von Sickel

Anna Lee Fisher

Ayacucho FC

Marco Praga

Lupus (tokoh fiksi)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport

Kazakhstan at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Anton Graff

Karl Pearson

La città dei mostri

艾哈迈德·塞古·杜尔