The Pop Critic Presents: The Top 20 K-Pop Songs of 2012

As the year comes to a close, I'm rounding up the best K-Pop songs of the year. I really got into the whole K-Pop scene late last year, when I was pulled in by the wonderment that was Brown Eyed Girls' "Sixth Sense" and I have been a fan since then. Amongst the best come from soloists and groups alike. Because I just got into K-Pop, I don't expect everyone to agree with the songs on the list, but these were the ones that stood out the most to me.
                                                                       20.Juniel-Illa Illa

                                                                     19.Ga-In-Bloom

                                                               18.PSY-Gangnam Style

                                                               17.FT Island-I Wish

                                                     16.Troublemaker-Troublemaker

                                                              15.4Minute-Volume Up

                                                                   14.Nu'Est-Face

                                                                     13.RaNia-Style

                                                      12.Girl's Day-Don't Forget Me

                                                      11.B2ST (Beast)-Beautiful Night

                                                           10.G-Dragon-That XX

                                                                  09.Kara-Pandora

                                                                    08.Sistar-Alone

                                                                07.Big Bang-Blue

                                                             06.After School-Flashback

                                                               05.TVXQ-Catch Me

                                                               04.2NE1-I Love You

                                                             03.Infinite-The Chaser

                                         02.NS Yoon-G-If You Love Me (feat. Jay Park)

                                                                01.BoA-Only One

Are there any songs that didn't make the list that you think should have?

DJ Masa’s 2012 Hot K-Pop Mashup

With the massive disappointment that came with DJ Earworm's United States of Pop 2012 mashup (I mean he included "We Are Young" and "Diamonds", yuck!), DJ Masa has given us so much better: a mashup of 2012's biggest K-Pop hits!!! Neitzens rejoice! The mashup includes songs from BoA, T-ARA, Girls Generation, Exo-K, PSY, Big Bang, Epik High and more. Wish he would have included FT Island's "I Wish" and Jay Park' "Know Your Name" in this too. Take a listen and look at the entire list of songs that are included (the ones in bold are ones you should check out if you haven't heard them.)
 
2NE1 - I Love You
Busker Busker - Cherry Blossom Ending
A-JAX - 2MYX
SISTAR - Alone 
C-Clown - SOLO
Dalmatian - E.R.
Teen Top - To You
Big Bang - Bad Boy 
Ailee - Halo
CN BLUE - Hey You
After School - Flashback
JJ Project - Bounce
T-ara - Lovey Dovey
PSY - Gangnam Style
LEE HI - 1, 2, 3, 4
EXO-K - History
Ga-in - Bloom 
NS Yoon Ji - Reason I Became a Witch
ZE:A - Aftermath
T-ara - Day by Day
Ailee - I Will Show You
XIA - Tarantallegra
FIESTAR - Vista 
BEAST - Beautiful Night 
U-KISS - DORADORA
HyunA- Ice Cream
EXID - I Feel Good
BoA - Only One 
Big Bang - Monster
INFINITE - The Chaser
NU’EST - FACE 
Led Apple - Time’s Up
B1A4 - Baby I’m Sorry
Brave Girls - Nowadays You
Dal Shabet - Hit U
Super Junior - Sexy, Free and Single 
KARA - Pandora 
U-KISS - Stop Girl
BtoB - Insane
SHINee - Sherlock
G.na - 2Hot
f(x) - Electric Shock 
Big Bang - Fantastic Baby
Wonder Girls - Like This
B.A.P - Warrior
Orange Caramel - Lipstick
TVXQ - Humanoids
TaeTiSeo - Twinkle
G-Dragon - Crayon
BtoB - Wow
Hello Venus - Venus
Block B - Nalina
MissA - Touch
A Pink - Hush
VIXX - Rock Your Body
Epik High - Don’t Hate Me
EXO-K - MAMA
D-UNIT - Luv Me
Block B - Nilili Mambo

The Pop Critic Presents: The Top 20 Albums of 2012

2012 was lacking something serious in terms of albums. Most of the best albums this year were the debuts, which excites me because (hopefully) they can only go up from here. The outcome has given us some of my favorite songs of the year and excitement for whats to come in the new year (hopefully the more seasoned acts can pull out the stops and give me some more to work with next year) Check out my Top 20 albums and leave a comment with your favorites or just tell me if you disagree with the list and why. Either way, feedback is appreciated.
                                                                     -20-11-


20.Rihanna-Unapologetic

19.Kimbra-Vows

18.One Direction-Up All Night

17.capsule-STEREO WORXXX

16.Linkin Park-Living Things

15.Zedd-Clarity

14.Sleigh Bells-Reign of Terror

13.Electric Guest-Mondo

12.Calvin Harris-18 Months

11.Ellie Goulding-Halcyon

10.Dappy-Bad Intentions
As much as everyone seems to dislike Dappy for being the way he is, his music is spot on. He gave us one of the best crossover songs of 2011 with "No Regrets" and continued the trend by getting Brian May (yes THAT Brian May) to a song with him. A break from N-Dubz may have been what the doctor ordered, as Dappy sings, raps, laments, taunts and overall slays existences with this almost cohesive debut album.  
Key Tracks:Tarzan,Rockstar,No Regrets,IOU,Yin-Yang,Good Intentions

 

09.Conor Maynard-Contrast
The album that Justin Bieber’s “Believe” tried to be but slightly missed the mark. The debut from the YouTuber turned full-fledged pop star may draw comparisons from his Canadian counterpart, but not only does this album has a clear direction, more tolerable vocals, and replay value, but doesn’t try come off trying to be a mature or adult. I mean he gave us the best one liner in a song ever in “Vegas Girl” (“Hit the jackpot underneath the covers”).  
Key Tracks:Vegas Girl,Turn Around,Glass Girl,Just In Case,Take Off 

08.Macklemore & Ryan Lewis-The Heist
Literally out of nowhere came Seattle rapper Ben Haggerty with the infectious, "Thrift Shop," a hip-hop song about how you can get fresh at your local consignment shop. As misleading as this single is, the rest of the album carries an amazing amount of seriousness (same-sex relations in "Same Love") and realness ("Make The Money") that has left the rap world in favor of songs about big booty hoes and how awesome there cliques are. Ryan Lewis' ear for production also gave it a sort of freshness that has been missing since trap music was invented.
Key Tracks:Same Love, 1000 Hours,Thrift Shop,Make The Money,Cowboys Boots

 

07.Rebecca Ferguson-Heaven
Off all the acts (both male and female) to come from the machine that is the UK X-Factor, Rebecca Ferguson is the most genuine. Her debut album gave us more than enough of the soul that she showcased on the show and then some. A dash of Mowton, a pinch of Chaka Khan and a whole bag full of talent is what you get with Rebecca and that's the greatest thing about this album: just talent.

Key Tracks:Too Good To Lose,Teach Me How To Be Loved,Backtrack,Shoulder To Shoulder

06.Lana Del Rey-Born To Die 
Lana (who's genitals taste like that one soft drink)  pulled off her gangster Nancy Sinatra alter-ego well with her debut.With help from a team of producers who crafted the album around her tragic vocals with hip-hop, 50s pop, and modern day sadcore, Lana was able to keep this depressing love story going and going and going...for days (depending on how much you repeated the album)
Key Tracks:Born To Die,Summertime Sadness,Radio,Off To The Races,National Anthem

 

05.Example-The Evolution of Man
Last year British rapper/singer Eliot Gleave abandoned his normal dance pop stylings for a darker, dubstep influenced route; celebrating being a free spirit, indirectly encouraging recreational drug use and embracing the ‘you only live once’ mindset. This year he dug a bit deeper with that sound but included some grunge rock influences for this depressing, vulnerable, musical equivalent to a therapy session. What came from that was one of the of the year’s most relatable albums, even if you have never touched any of the stuff a day in your life.  
Key Tracks:Say Nothing,Queen of Your Dreams,Someone To Die For,The Evolution of Man,All My Lows

 

04.Plan B-iLL Manors  
The soundtrack to the movie of the same name, Strickland Banks got left at the door and a more hardened and socially-focused Plan B emerged. Most of the album talks about life on the streets from different perspectives and he did it without being overwhelmingly depressing, but maintained a sense of "you need to hear what I have to say even if it is about stuff you should care about and not about YOLO and all that". It hasn't been the most popular thing in rap nowadays to do songs criticizing the government or the way people live their lives, but Mr.Drew took it there and hopefully others will follow in his footsteps.
Key Tracks:ill Manors,Playing With Fire,Deepest Shame,Falling Down,Lost My Way

 

03.Frank Ocean-Channel Orange
With his Tumblr coming out letter released back in July, Odd Future member Frank Ocean extends it a bit more on his mainstream debut. Another album where social commentary and personal back story are the foundation, Mr.Ocean keeps the listener interested with 9 minute opuses about strippers, heartwarming, yet pain-filled love stories via movie metaphors and taxi cab confessions. Just think of it as a Ocar-winning film without all the pretentiousness.
Key Tracks:Thinking Bout You,Lost,Forrest Gump,Pyramids,Pilot Jones,Pink Matter

02.Jay Park-New Breed (Red Edition)
 The Seattle based Korean singer/rapper brings a diverse set for his first full length LP. The album navigates the plains of top forty electropop, hip-hop and 90s era R&B almost flawlessly, with each song being a springboard for the next. Jay’s foreign rapping oozes more confidence than his American counterparts while rapping on tracks like “Enjoy the Show” and rivals the hypersexualization of Trey Songz and Usher on cuts like “Turn off Your Phone.” New Breed is far from the most original album, but it does give some insight of what Mr.Park could do when he is working on album #2.
 Key Tracks:Carefree,Know Your Name,Up and Down,Girlfriend,Turn Off Your Phone,Go 

 

01.Jessie Ware-Devotion
People may be praising Miguel for bringing back real R&B with his song “Adorn” but UK based Jessie Ware should be applauded for tapping into the power of 80s soul and quiet storm for her debut album. The album takes pride in the fact that is focuses on subdued production to allow Miss Ware’s voice to take center stage rather than relying on big booming production to do all the work for her. It doesn’t hurt that Jessie knows her way around a Big Punisher sample either (listen to “110%” and fall in love). Jessie's debut may have not been the commercial success that it deserved to be but it easily trumps most mainstream releases with ease.
Key Tracks:Running,Devotion,Sweet Talk,110%,Something Inside,Night Light

 

The Pop Critics Top 30 Songs of 2012

In my opinion, 2012's music was not as impressive as the fresh crop of tunes that we received last year. The pop was a bit on the stale side, the biggest thing indie-wise all came from commercial endorsements and Justin Bieber tried to take credit for the catchiest pop tune in years (and you wonder why "Believe" was "snubbed" for a Grammy).
Below is a list of my Top 30 favourite songs from 2012. This isn't the standard chart fare that you get with Billboard nor the underground stuff you get from NME of Hype Machine. These are just the tunes that captured my ears and really never let go. The tunes that I heard, got tired of, listened to and loved all over again. Like last year (if you read my now defunct music blog),the songs are in a nice and neat Spotify playlist for your enjoyment. Listen and enjoy!
[Spoiler alert: "Call Me Maybe" "Somebody That I Used To Know," and "Gangnam Style" didn't make this list!]
                                                 #30.Frank Ocean-Forrest Gump
                                                 #29.TVXQ-Catch Me

                                                  #28.Will Young-Losing Myself
#27.Steve Aoki-Heartbreaker (Feat. Lovefoxxx)
#26.Alex Clare-Too Close
#25.Rizzle Kicks-Traveller's Chant
#24.Taylor Swift-I Knew You Were Trouble
#23.Marina and The Diamonds-Primadonna

                                                               #22.Madeon-Icarus
#21.Ellie Goulding-Anything Could Happen
#20.Muse-Madness
#19.Sleigh Bells-End of The Line
#18.Electric Guest-This Head I Hold
#17.Florence+The Machine-Never Let Me Go

                                                                #16.Big Bang-Blue
#15.Plan B-ill Manors
#14.Demi Lovato-Give Your Heart a Break
#13.Katy Perry-Wide Awake
#12.2NE1-I Love You

                                          #11.Swedish House Mafia-Don't You Worry Child

                                                                           -10-01-

                                                              #10.Lana Del Rey-Ride
As many songs as the controversial performer has released, none has really captured that is Lana Del Rey more than "Ride" did. The singer channels Johnny Cash and sets aside her gangster Nancy Sinatra facade to give a glimpse of the real Lana, the Lana who just wants to be loved and accepted but is afraid so instead she just riiiiiiiidddddeeeesssss...

                                                             #09.Avicii-Silhouettes
Avicii blew the minds of the house world when he released the Etta James-sampled "Levels" late last year, but "Silhouettes" easily makes that look like a Dr.Luke leftover. Oh wait... The euphoric prog-house tune dazzles and instills a massive sense of euphoria inside the listener, right down to the creepily performed lyrics, courtesy of one Salem Al Fakir.

                                                             #08.Autoheart-Control
Indie bands come a dime a dozen, but UK based Autoheart make it known that they don't want to be in the vein of those other bands. Their debut single grabs your attention from the start with its hot but cold dualism of a relationship ending. Even though the story may sound the same, "Control" maintains a Whole Foods/Trader Joe's like freshness to it. In other words, it's pure hipster, make your claim before it becomes too mainstream.

                                             #07.Kendrick Lamar-Swimming Pools (Drank)
To most, Kendrick Lamar's Swimming Pools is a simple get wasted song, but if you listen closely it's his plea to avoid alcoholism at all costs, with his concience even making a guest appearance to help him in his mission (Okay, now open your mind up and listen to me Kendrick I am your conscience, if you do not hear me then you will be history Kendrick...), but really it's the bridge that really gets the people going (Pour up, DRANK! Head shot, DRANK!)

                                                #06.Rebecca Ferguson-Too Good To Lose
Rebecca puts her old school foot in this church hymn like tune, where she pleads for the love of her life to put all his worries to rest and trust in her, exuding an uncharacteristic amount of confidence as the song progresses.

                                                                #05.Foxes-White Coats 
Youth was just the beginning for the singer known as Foxes (Louisa Allen). She took the amount of epic that I assumed couldn't be reached again from Youth and multiplied it by 1000 with this 80s style synthpop song about a battle with mental illness or just being free (depending on how you interpret it).

                                     #04.Calvin Harris-Sweet Nothing (Feat. Florence Welch)
When Calvin is good, he is really good. When he teams up with Florence Welch, he is unstoppable. His second collaboration this year with the singer proved to be one of his best musical decisions, almost recapturing the essence that made "We Found Love" the massive hit that it was via a blend of techno and synthesized guitar.

                                                               #03.BoA-Only One
K-Pops Idol of idols returned to true form with this sad breakup ballad (all composed by herself nonetheless!). Using 90s era pop and R&B, BoA crafted a song one step above most K-Pop songs this year, while maintaining a sense of emotion that transcends a language barrier. Don't believe me? Take a look at both music videos and tell me you're not moved...

                                                             #02.Jessie Ware-110%
 "Now if you're never gonna move, oh my love… you'll make me come to you
But I'm still dancing on my own, still dancing on my own" should have been the dance floor mantra of 2012. Jessie Ware wants her man to stop playing games with her and to bring his ass right here so they can play mind games with each other (I know you hear me, but can you reach me?). And over that minimal pop beat and that Big Punisher sample, who wouldn't want to?

                                                      #01.Calvin Harris-Feel So Close
Calvin Harris' last official single with him actually singing: a sad thing indeed. A song that makes you feel like you can do anything: ask that girl (or guy) that you've been crushing on to go on a date,  ask your significant other to marry you, dance ballet in a shotty looking trailer park in the middle of the desert. Ok, maybe not that last one, but Calvin Harris knew how to capture the feeling of being youthful and full of wonder via six lines while it takes others complicated metaphors and ads to get theirs across (yes fun., I'm talking about you).