Format Digital download Label YG Entertainment | Length 3:57 Writer(s) Teddy, G-Dragon, T.O.P | |
Released July 1, 2015 (2015-07-01) Genre Electronic rock, pop punk | ||
"Sober" (Korean: 맨정신) is a single recorded by South Korean group Big Bang. It was released digitally on July 1, 2015 by YG Entertainment, as the sixth single from MADE Series, and the second from D.
Contents
Background
The first poster of the song was released on June 27, with the name of the song, writers' and composers' info. The song was released on July 1. The release is supported by a live countdown on Naver Starcast on 30 June, 11 pm. An exact verse that G-Dragon sings towards the end of "Sober" was actually first performed during the 2013 Mnet Asian Music Awards as a prelude to his song "Crooked". The music video was directed by Han Sa Min, who worked before with Bigbang on "Loser," "Bad Boy" and "Blue."
Composition and reception
"Sober" has a "more rock-drive sound", a unusual genre for Big Bang, who usually go for electronic and hip-hop based sounds. The track shows off lush guitars mixed with banging percussion, and incorporates a "very high energy rock vibe" with a spunk delivery. Fuse said that the song fits on alternative radio and it's something you can hear on the Warped Tour, that is famous of alternative and punk rock music. OSEN called it "an exciting summer song that perfectly fits the season."
The music video was described by Billboard as "going mad in a colorful world." China Topix noted that "Sober" was filmed in a unique style, keeping the summer mood in mind.
Chart performance
"Sober" sold 276,180 digital copies in the first week on Gaon Chart and peaked at number one in Digital Chart and Download Chart, seven on both BGM Chart and Streaming Chart with total 3.957 million streams. On the second week, the song fell to number six in Digital Chart and to no.8 in Download chart with total 118,392 sales, but raised to number five in the Streaming Chart with total 4.700 million streams.
The song charted at number three on the World Digital Songs at number 1 on QQ Music music videos chart. The song ranked eleven on the most popular Korean singles of 2015 in Taiwan by music streaming service KKBOX.