User:ReVeluv02/sandbox/Step Back (Got the Beat song)

"Step Back" is a song recorded by Got the Beat, the first unit of South Korean supergroup Girls on Top. It was released digitally on January 3, 2022, by SM Entertainment. Described as a "hip-hop R&B song", the song was written by Yoo Young-jin, who also composed along with Dwayne Abernathy Jr., Taylor Monet Parks, and Ryan Jhun. The track contains a message of a woman with high self-esteem towards her lover.

Background and composition
On December 26, 2021, SM Entertainment launched a new female supergroup called Girls on Top, along with its first unit Got the Beat. The first teaser image of the unit was released through Girls on Top and SM Town's official social media accounts. From December 28 to 29, teaser images were released for each individual group member (in order: BoA, Taeyeon, Seulgi, Winter, Hyoyeon, Wendy, Karina).

"Step Back" was composed by Dwayne Abernathy Jr., Taylor Monet Parks, and Ryan Jhun, along with Yoo Young-jin, who also wrote the Korean lyrics of the song. The song was written by Yoo and was widely known as the SM Music Performance (SMP) representative, which features strong performances and critical social lyrics unique to SM Entertainment. Musically, it was described as an "addictive" hip-hop R&B song with repeated bass and instrument variations. Tim Chan of Rolling Stone noted the dubstep, hip-hop, and electro house elements incorporated in the bass-heavy track with Got the Beat "alternating between singing, rapping, and a cheerleader chant-style chorus". The song was also noted for the group's "unique" vocals and "solid" singing skills that enhanced the "perfection" of the single. The lyrics contain "straightforward" expressions of a woman with high self-esteem in love with her lover.

Critical reception
Following its release, "Step Back" was met with mixed to negative reviews from music critics. Kim Yoon-ha of Channel Yes noted the words like unrequited love, childhood play, and memories in front of their eyes, and Got the Beat saying, "My man is on Another Level, you can't even dream about". Kim pointed out that the lyrics were "unexpected", and the situation could have been fully anticipated for those who have accepted and enjoyed SM Music Performance (SMP) regardless of their likes or dislikes. Benedetta Geddo of Teen Vogue called it a "swagger-filled" song that showcases the group's "impeccable" vocals we are used to hearing from SM Entertainment artists. Kim Soo-jung of No Cut News mentioned the "high-pitched launch" section of the song and praised it for being able to digest "leisurely". However, Kim condemned the lyrics for criticizing another woman for approaching her lover and stated that people who have heard the lyrics read its explanation as deception or mockery. She also noted that it was also "awkward" to recall that it's 2022 but assumed that these materials and contents could become the track's lyrics anyway. Haley Yang of Korea JoongAng Daily pointed out the track's melody as it was "seeing overwhelmingly positive reviews as members flaunt impressive high notes" but noted that many fans were "perplexed" as to why the song was introduced as a "girl power anthem". Yang also indicated the responses of fans to such lamenting that "everything is perfect except the lyrics", "mentioning male attention to validate their confidence", and calling the lyrics "so out-of-trend" and "anachronistic". She commented that the lyrics "internalized misogyny by antagonizing another woman and accusing her of being flirtatious" and perpetuating the age-old phrase, "women are women's worst enemies".

Mary Siroky of Consequence described the track as "less of an empowerment anthem" and noted that it had seemingly left many fans "disappointed" from what the group was marketed for. Ryu Ji-hoon of Dailian stated the disappointment and dissatisfaction of fans due to outdated lyrics of the song such as "My man is on Another Level / You can't even dream about this Level", "Take your Hands off of mine," and "This isn't the place for you". Gelene Peñalosa of Inquirer Pop! described the track as a "gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss" anthem and condemned the song's lyricist as she describes it as "very anti-feminist and gives off a very strong feeling of being written by a man". Tamar Herman of South China Morning Post called it a "stereotypical and anti-feminist" song, even adding that South Korean music critic Jung Min-jae suggested that the lyrics be rewritten and the single re-released. Cho Hye-jin of Xports News noted that the lyrics were a "disappointment" with the combination of SM Entertainment's female artists representing the generation includes lyrics that go against the times.

Promotion
On January 1, 2022, Got the Beat unveiled their first "Step Back" performance stage at the SM Town Live 2022: SMCU Express at Kwangya. For the performance, choreography by Kiel Tutin, ReiNa, and Kyle Hanagami, who have worked with Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears, was commissioned. The first stage video performance of the song was released after the concert and was posted on YouTube. It starts with the group's faces covered with their arms as the members look back and dance until their part. The members have also "actively" utilized pair choreography, naturally flows into group choreography, and distribute spotlights evenly so that no one is suppressed. With that, Kim Soo-jung of No Cut News praised the camera work of the SM for maximizing the strength of the stage video. The song's stage video features the "powerful" vocals of Taeyeon, Wendy, and Winter, along with the dance break of BoA, Hyoyeon, and Seulgi, adding Hyoyeon and Karina's "individualistic rap". Moon Soo-ji of Inews24 noted the "heated" response the group was receiving by releasing the stage video and praising it for being a "thorough" video with "perfect vocal, dance, and rap skills", drawing admiration. Before their first performance, SM Entertainment also released a practice video of the group.

Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Melon.


 * Got the Beat (BoA, Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Seulgi, Wendy, Karina, Winter) – vocals


 * Yoo Young-jin – Korean lyrics, composition, arrangement
 * Dwayne Abernathy Jr. – composition, arrangement
 * Taylor Monet Parks – composition
 * Ryan Jhun – composition, arrangement