"Klaxon" (Korean: 클락션; RR: Keullaksyeon) is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their seventh Korean extended play I Sway. It was released as the EP's lead single by Cube Entertainment on July 8, 2024.
Background and release
On June 10, 2024, Cube Entertainment announced that (G)I-dle would be releasing their seventh Korean extended play on July 8.[1] On June 27, the track listing was released with "Klaxon" announced as the lead single.[2] A day later, the audio snippet video was released.[3] The music video teasers were released on July 4 and 5.[4][5] The song was released alongside its music video and the extended play on July 8.[6]
Composition
"Klaxon" was written, composed, and arranged by Soyeon, with Pop Time, Daily, and Likey participating in the composition.[7] It was described as a "summer" dance song featuring "string, brass, and guitar rhythm" with lyrics about "expressing the feelings of a person in love".[8] "Klaxon" was composed in the key of B minor, with a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[9]
Promotion
Prior to the release of I Sway, on July 8, 2024, (G)I-dle held a live event called "(G)I-dle 7th Mini Album [I Sway] Comeback Live" on YouTube and Weverse, aimed at introducing the extended play and its songs, including "Klaxon", and connecting with their fanbase.[10] They subsequently performed the song on three music programs: Mnet's M Countdown on July 11,[11]KBS's Music Bank on July 12,[12] and MBC's Show! Music Core on July 13.[13]
Reception
Reporter Kim Ji-hye emphasized that the summery vibe of "Klaxon," with its smooth string melodies, brass, and rhythmic guitar, makes it the perfect track for office workers in the early morning, "providing a refreshing break from the summer heat." The song's catchy chorus, combined with the viral 'Jjanggu Dance,' also helped propel its popularity on short-form video platforms.[14]Cultural critic Ha Jae-geun praised the group's image transformation, noting how the cheerful and seasonally fitting song appealed to diverse audiences. He also commended the group's dedication to innovation over their seven-year career, with members actively participating in album production.[14]
^Kim, Ji-hye (June 27, 2024). '컴백' (여자)아이들, 미니 7집 트랙리스트 공개..타이틀곡–'클락션' ['Comeback' (G)I-dle, 7th mini album tracklist revealed..Title song is 'Klaxon'] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-kyung (June 28, 2024). (여자)아이들 'I Sway' 오디오 스니펫 공개...힙한 감성 가득 [(G)I-dle's 'I Sway' audio snippet released...Full of hip sensibility] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Bit (July 4, 2024). (여자)아이들, 올 여름 플러팅송 예고...신곡 '클락션' 일부 공개 [(G)I-dle, preview of this summer's flirting song...Partial release of new song 'Klaxon'] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via Naver.
^Jang, In-young (July 5, 2024). '컴백 D-3' (여자)아이들, '클락션' 두 번째 MV 티저...유혹의 플러팅 ['Comeback D-3' (G)I-dle, 'Klaxon' second MV teaser...Flirting of temptation] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Sang-geun (July 8, 2024). '컴백' (여자)아이들 "사랑에 소리치는 '클락션' 포인트 안무 짱구춤" ['Comeback' (G)I-dle "'Klaxon' point choreography that shouts out love, Jjanggu dance"] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024 – via Naver.
^Ji, Min-kyung (July 12, 2024). '뮤직뱅크' 스테이씨, 1위 등극..엔하이픈·뉴진스 완전체 컴백 [종합] ['Music Bank' STAYC ranks 1st...Enhypen and NewJeans comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved July 13, 2024 – via Naver.
^Han, Ha-na (July 13, 2024). (여자)아이들 '클락션' 무대로 청량 바이브 발산 [(G)I-dle gives off a refreshing vibe on the 'Klaxon' stage] (in Korean). MBN. Retrieved July 13, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kyung, Ji-min (August 11, 2024). ‘인가’ (여자)아이들, 출연 없이 1위..김재중 16년 만 음방 나들이 [종합] ["Inkigayo" (G)I-DLE won first place without an appearance... Kim Jae-joong's first appearance on a music show in 16 years [Roundup]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved August 11, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kyung, Ji-min (August 18, 2024). ‘인기가요’ (여자)아이들, 2주 연속 1위..프로미스나인·KARD 컴백 [종합] ['Inkigayo' (G)I-DLE, 1st place for 2 consecutive weeks.. fromis_9, KARD comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ji-hye (August 25, 2024). (여자)아이들, 출연 없이 ‘인기가요’ 1위… 뉴진스·키오프 제쳤다 [(G)I-DLE topped 'Inkigayo' without appearing... Beat New Jeans and Kiss of Life] (in Korean). Isplus. Retrieved August 25, 2024 – via Naver.
^"멜론 주간 인기상" [Melon Weekly Popularity Award]. Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
