- Source: Attention (NewJeans song)
"Attention" is the debut single by the South Korean girl group NewJeans. The music video for the song was surprise-released on July 22, 2022, and the track was released for download and streaming as part of their self-titled debut EP in August 2022. Written and composed by 250, Duckbay, Gigi, and the group member Danielle, "Attention" is a pop and R&B track with elements of late-1990s and early-2000s music such as house music on a new jack swing beat, and it incorporates dynamic key changes between the major and minor chords. Its lyrics are about the sensations of young infatuation.
Music critics generally praised the catchy production of "Attention". The single appeared on lists of the best songs of 2022, including those by Billboard, IZM, Music Y, NME, and Teen Vogue. Commercially, "Attention" peaked atop the South Koean Circle Digital Chart, reached number 54 on the Billboard Global 200, and charted in Argentina, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The single received certifications in Japan and South Korea.
Background and release
On July 22, NewJeans released the music video for "Attention" as a surprise release, without previously revealing the members' identities or the group concept. The choreography video was released on the same day, and followed swiftly by the announcement of the quintet's debut self-titled extended play, which was confirmed to contain four tracks, including two additional singles.
Composition
With a length of 2 minutes and 58 seconds, "Attention" switches between the major and minor chords. Built on minimal instrumentation, the track incorporates influences of pop and R&B from the late-1990s and early-2000s in its beats, which evoke the rhythms of new jack swing and house music. The production includes vocal samples and sounds of applause, and the hook features sounds of chimes. In the refrain, all five members harmonize vocally. NewJeans' member Danielle participated in writing lyrics for the track.
Reception
Jang Jun-hwan wrote for IZM that "it aims for a comfortable listening experience, but will never be boring" and "satisfies the concept and significance of debut in many ways". Carmen Chin of NME thought that the track has a "groovy je ne sais quoi" and described its beat as "bustling".
= Commercial performance
="Attention" debuted at number one and number two on the Billboard's South Korea Songs and on the Circle Digital Chart, respectively. It peaked at number one on the Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated August 14–20. Overseas, it debuted at number 26 on the RMNZ Hot Singles on the chart issue dated August 8, 2022. On the Global 200 the song peaked at 54. In Singapore and Vietnam the song debuted at eleven.
Accolades
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the EP's photo book.
Locations
Recorded and engineered at Hybe Studio
Mixed at Chapel Swing Studios, Valley Glen
Credits and personnel
250 – producer, composition, instrumental, programming, vocal directing
Duckbay (Cosmos Studios, Stockholm) – composition, lyrics, background vocals
Gigi – lyrics
Danielle – lyrics
Jungwoo Jang – vocal directing
NewJeans – background vocals
Emily Kim – background vocals
Hyejin Choi – engineering
Tony Maserati – mixing
David K. Younghyun – mixing