Sporting a dark, futuristic atmosphere, the video depicts the group getting ready to battle Black Mamba in Kwangya. The accompanying music video, directed by 725 (SL8 Visual Lab), premiered simultaneously with the release of the single. It also attained commercial success, becoming the group's second top five entry on the domestic Gaon Digital Chart, as well as their first top 40 entry on the Billboard Global 200. Upon its release, 'Savage' received positive reviews from music critics for its 'addictive hooks and refrains', comparing the song to the work of late Scottish musician and record producer Sophie.
It also continues the group's previous storyline in ' Next Level', with the members and their corresponding avatars confronting their Black Mamba villain in the fictional Kwangya universe. Described as a ' hyperpop-tinged title track', the song was written by Yoo Young-jin, who also composed along with Kirsten Collins, Jia Lih, and Hautboi Rich, and eventually handled the arrangement alongside Lih. It was released as the lead single on October 5, 2021, by SM Entertainment. ' Savage' is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their first extended play (EP) of the same name.
