From BTS To Red Velvet, Here Are The 18 Best K-pop B-sides Of 2018
From BTS To Red Velvet, Here Are The 18 Best K-pop B-sides Of 2018
Time must move differently in K-pop. That's the only logical explanation for how BTS, some of the busiest and most famed Korean artists on the planet could put out two albums (Love Yourself: Tear and Love Yourself: Answer) — furthermore to their third Japanese studio album, Face Yourself — two mixtapes (J-Hope's Hope World and RM's mono), release their first-ever English track with Steve Aoki ("Waste It On Me"), embark on a sold-out world tour, film countless music videos, and drop a fire diss track and remix on Soundcloud all in the range of 12 months.
Or how NCT's Mark Lee, a 19-year-old Korean-Canadian with an effortless flow, could participate in a whooping nine comebacks, or new releases, this year between Neo-Culture Technology's several units: NCT 127, NCT Dream, NCT U, and NCT 2018.
SM EntertainmentIn the world of K-pop, things move fast and upset. And the next release — complete with its own concept (or visual theme) and album — is just around the corner. As such, it's so easy to miss the real gems in an artist's or group's total work as the lead single is the only song that ever gets any real promotion. So much has been mentioned about 2018 being a breakthrough year for K-pop, thanks to its growing visibility and credibility in the U.S. — And that's definitely true! — Although this year was also a good year for Korean music, period.
EXO made their triumphant return with Don't Disaster Up My Tempo, a layered album full of crystalline pop, and SHINee released The Story of Light, a prismatic trilogy that celebrated the group's fizzy aesthetic and eclectic sound. Meanwhile, Red Velvet resisted to be put in a box with The Brilliant Red Velvet, Sunmi explored the complexity of human emotion on the moody Warning, and NCT 127 continued to break the rules of convention with their first full-length album, Regular-Irregular.
So let's take a look at the work that often goes failed to notice with some of the ideal K-pop B-sides of 2018 (in no particular order):
"All Day All Night," SHINee
SHINee have been churning out pristine pop and rhythmic bangers for the past decade, so it should come as no surprise that The Story of Light Episode 1 — the initial EP in the group's Story of Light trilogy — kicks off with this explosive, future-bass bop. The song opens with chirping birds, intimate chords, and pretty vocal riffs from singers Onew and Taemin — signaling the dawn of a new day — before erupting into a seismic chorus, and oh my God does it soar.
"Paradise," BTS
British songwriter MNEK brought some of his long-established R&B sensibilities to "Paradise," a song that truly stands out among all the work BTS have produced this year because of its catchy, melodic hook and crucial message. The track preaches a familiar theme noticed during the group's work: that you don't need to live life chasing a dream that isn't yours. "It’s alright to not have a dream," vocalist Jin sings on the chorus. "If you have moments where you feel happiness for a while." It's a nice reminder to stop and resemble on life's simple joys — and yes it slaps.
"Gravity," EXO
"Gravity" is like a Choose Your Own Adventure novel — you never quite know where it's going however journey is all of the fun. It's a modern synthwave song that delivers powerhouse vocals and keeps building up until you reach nirvana (that happens somewhere between Chanyeol's first rap break and Baekhyun's bridge, or perhaps it's between Sehun's second rap break and Chen's high note). EXO have already proven themselves as a formidable force in K-pop, yet "Gravity" is still a major flex — especially for one of the best groups to have ever taken the mantle.
"Good Good," Key
As a member of SHINee, Key has long traditional himself as a versatile performer — a singer, rapper, dancer, visual artist, and certified strong personality — however with his debut solo effort, Face, the pop chameleon proves that he still has a number of tricks up his sleeve. While a song like "Chemicals" might be what we've come to expect from an artist like Key, with its thumping dance beat and rather addictive chorus, "Good Good" is the bold choice. Sonically, it's a bit of everything, however any time that chorus kicks in, Key's falsetto rising above the alchemy of keyboard synths and heavy bass riffs, it's pure pop-star magic.
"Come Back," NCT 127
The B-side that really should have been the lead single, "Come Back" has all of the elements of a hit K-pop song. Right considering that, it's a formula SM Entertainment has perfected for years with groups like SHINee and EXO. It's loud, nevertheless not too loud; it's instantly catchy, the sort of song that will have you singing along to its bouncy chorus immediately after one listen; and it's just a upbeat banger driven by astonishing vocals. Maybe that's why NCT 127 went with typical a Latin-trap track with limitless bravado that lets rappers Taeyong and Mark shine, alternatively. NCT's Seoul-based sort are anything however orthodox — although some days the people just want a good pop song. Presumably, SM knew that also as the categorize prepared a staggering live stage for the song if they were promoting normal
"All Right," Red Velvet
Red Velvet have often been described because the Queens of B-sides because a lot of their best, most interesting work isn''t generally their title tracks. (Except for you, "Bad Boy.") Their artsy DNA is written into their name, with "Red" signifying their vivid pop aesthetic and "Velvet" reflecting a slower, R&B sound. "All Right" falls somewhere in the middle: It's a bright, '80s-style synth-pop track with a funky bass line, although the group's vocal charms and distinct harmonies elevate it to something irresistible.
"Grease," Jonghyun
It's impossible to distill the entirety of Jonghyun's distinct artistry and musicality into one song — although "Grease" comes close. Featured on his second solo album, Poet | Artist — released posthumously in January following his death late last year — "Grease" is a divine contradiction that combines the SHINee vocalist's smooth, soft legato with a slick, wobbling rhythm. Written and arranged by Jonghyun, the song describes a past lover who just won't go away, like a grease stain. "I wish to tidy it up tidy it up) / I'd like to repair it up (fix it up) / Let’s mention this never happened," he sings on the pre-chorus, before jumping a couple of octaves on the bridge. Even any time once he was dragging you, Jonghyun turned it into something pretty.
"ADDICT," Sunmi
There's something sinister about "ADDICT," the introductory song on Sunmi's critically acclaimed EP, Warning. It makes a bold statement. On each track, the ex-Wonder Women vocalist issues a warning to a hypothetical lover, and "ADDICT" is no exception. It's a moody reminder that she's "running the show" in this relationship. It's that confidence that makes Sunmi so seductive, and her music so darkly captivating. "I'll be shining on you, everywhere, day and night," she talk-sings in English language over a hypnotic beat. knows she is a queen, and there's nothing sexier than that.
"Drippin'," NCT Dream
"Drippin'" is a dirty song, both in its trap-infused production and in its lyrical content — the idea being that these seven teenage males aspire to "soak you" with their love (in a very PG-13 way) — yet that's what makes it so undeniably fun. Co-written by rapper Mark, it's the sort of bass-heavy banger that's not only signature NCT, however it's also a track you could imagine a 18-year-old boy writing, thinking he's being slick. It's endearing, really. "It's awkward that [NCT] Dream sings these lyrics," main vocalist Haechan, then 17, mentioned in response to the song. Yet I wanted to do it eventually." They've come a long way since the sickly sweet days of "Chewing Gum," and also a song like "Drippin'" makes me excited to be able to see where they go next.
"Twilight," ATEEZ
ATEEZ is an eight-member rookie sort that made quite an impression with their pre-debut song, "Pirate King," earlier this year. Nevertheless "Twilight" is the real concealed treasure on their first EP, TREASURE EP.1: All to Zero. The polished trop-pop song is a upbeat ode to the vibrant glow that love and happiness bring. It's rather innocuous, sure, nevertheless lovestruck males happily mooning over the objects of their affections will don't get old. It's Pop 101.
"When It Rains At Night," Pentagon
It's hard to imagine any song doing more for Pentagon than their wildly catchy 2018 single, "Shine" — a song that should rightfully be on everyone's Best of 2018 lists — nevertheless as soon as It Rains At Night" is the emotional pop ballad your soul really needs. For an audience that isn't known for their ballads, Pentagon are a stacked musical group of vocalists. Yet any time It Rains At Night" isn't just a song for Jinho and Hui to flex; it also permits their more raspy-voiced rappers, Wooseok and Yuto, to really, uh, shine.
"Moonwalker," Seventeen
Seventeen are the ultimate mood-makers of K-pop, so it's hardly surprising that their efficiency unit (known for their dancing and in general ace efficiency skills) — Hoshi, Jun, Minghao (I'm sorry, however you can't make me call him "The8"), and Dino — turned out "Moonwalker," a vibey song with a heavy synth bass that could best be described as a BIG MOOD. Plus it just makes you aspire to dance.
"Myself," Monsta X
It's not that "Shoot Out" wasn't a good lead single — between the darker concept and meme-able choreography, you can argue that it was the perfect lead single — however it's hardly best song on Monsta X's second full-length album, Take 1: Are You There? case in point, if you're looking for a turn-up song with real allure, listen to "Oh My." And then there's "Myself," a song that stands unparalleled in the group's body of work. With its unique drum and guitar line, there's a softer '90s alt vibe to it — something you don't hear often in modern K-pop, especially from a crowd who excels at residence and dance music like Monsta X.
"CHILLAX," TWICE
As soon as people unfamiliar with K-pop think of the genre, they most likely picture an audience like TWICE — a crowd of honey-voiced females with a cutesy concept and an entire catalog of deliriously cheery pop songs. Although what's so wrong with that? "CHILLAX," a B-side off the group's Summer Nights album, is a happy trop-pop track about slowing down and taking time for yourself. "My mind says, I want to go slower," Jihyo sings. Honestly, same! Brilliant for any season, this is the sort of song to play once you're in a funk and in desperate need of a mood enhancer.
"Dear Sun," Jung Jinwoo feat. SOMA
K-pop is such a broad term, especially with so several groups artists playing around with hip-hop and R&B. Solo singer Jung Jinwoo does a little bit of both — extremely well — on his first album, Rotate. Yet "Dear Sun," featuring Korean singer SOMA and produced by Jinwoo's Planetarium Records label mate Villain, is a true standout. Between Jinwoo's tender vocals and Villain's dreamy production, this soft R&B duet will have you smiling ear to ear and most likely body-rolling into next week.
"Vroom Vroom," EXO-CBX
EXO-CBX — a subunit of EXO featuring members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin — sneakily released one of the greatest K-pop albums of the year with Blooming Days, a week's worth of songs for ever occasion (that's the concept of the seven-track EP). "Vroom Vroom" is the enthusiastic Friday night song, a funky synth-pop track that highlights the trio's velvet-smooth vocals and playful harmonies. And that "vroom vroom vroom" on the disco-beat hook is so addictive.
"Rude Boy," Mamamoo
The four females of Mamamoo don't do pretty and that's what makes them jump out. Their sensual sound leans heavily R&B, which is what makes "Rude Boy" equal parts predictable and unexpected. Their smooth vocals are on point, as per typical, yet it's the trap beat and rapper Moonbyul's flow in the next verse that propel the song into something truly singular. If Moonbyul tells you to ditch your cheating man, you better listen to her.
"everythingoes," RM feat. NELL
RM's seven-track playlist, mono, is a warm blanket for a tired soul. On mono, BTS' leader and main rapper gets susceptible, laying his deep insecurities bare on songs like "Tokyo" and "Seoul" (produced by electronic duo Honne). It's equal parts wistful and weary, and the theme of loneliness is constant while in. Nevertheless the mood breaks on "everythingoes," a teamwork with Korean artists Nell that highlights the resilience of the human spirit. "It will pass, someday, for sure, for certain," RM sings softly. The refrain plays like a nursery rhyme, a powerful reminder that everything in life, even the pain you feel now, is short-term.
Leave a Comment
Have something to discuss? You can use the form below, to leave your thoughts or opinion regarding From BTS To Red Velvet, Here Are The 18 Best K-pop B-sides Of 2018.
Best Of 2018 News