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?
K-Pop (or K-Hop?) band Phantom have released the teaser for the song "Hide and Chic," which will be included on their second mini album, "Phantom Theory." From the preview, the song sounds very American, especially the ending rap (Far East Movement much), but that aside it sounds like a very promising listen.
The video for the biggest boy band in the world right now is finally here after a slew of teasers. "Kiss You" serves as the second US single from their platinum-certified sophomore set, "Take Me Home" and serves up some nice summer feels. The boys go through a variety of different sets similar to old 50s movies and 60s magazine shoots, paying tribute to fellow British musicians The Beatles and The Monkees as well as Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock."
As the K-Pop comebacks keep coming, Super Junior's subunit Super Junior-M have premiered their new single "Break Down" for their album of the same name. K-Pop fans everyone have been anticipating the return of the Mandarin subunit of the massively successful band, so does "Break Down" shape up to be a decent tune?
After the realness that Girls' Generation served us with "I Got a Boy" I am kind of disappointed with this one. Regarding the song, the boys utilized the horrid Skrillex style "faux step" formula over a Madeon-like instrumental, which would have made the song 10x better if used by itself with some real dubstep flourishes (see TVXQ's "Catch Me".)The best part of the song is the break down part (ironic I know...). The vocals are great, but when it comes down to it, you need more than vocals if you're trying to make a successful dance-pop tune. Grade:C-
The video wasn't all that great either. It followed the SM formula of a nice flashy set and heavy emphasis on choreography. However, I wasn't too impressed with the band's choreo this time around and was too focused on the lighting of the set, which was more distracting than anything. I'll gauge it better when I see their comeback stage performances.
As with every year, BBC has crowned the next biggest things to come in music for the new year. The Sound of...poll has included the likes of Adele, Jessie J, Ellie Goulding and some unfortunate choices
(50 Cent? Skrillex?). There were five that BBC specifically highlighted, but the top three and a few others who didn't place.
3.Angel Haze
Who is she? Angel Haze can be equated to another Sound of...poll nominee, Azealia Banks. The Michigan native has garnered critical acclaim for her intellectual rhymes and honest lyrics, which landed her a major label deal with Island Records. She is hard at work on her debut studio album with Paul Epworth and has already recorded a track with UK drumstep producers Rudimental. Haze placed third overall.
2.AlunaGeorge
Who are they? They are the producer/singer duo of Aluna Francis and George Reid. The UK is known for giving us some great duos and they are no exception. Prior to them placing second in the poll, they were shortlisted for BRITs Critics Choice (losing to another Sound poll nominee, Tom Odell, who reminds me of James Blunt (eww). They are set to release their debut album in June
1.HAIM
Who are they?-An all female, made up of sisters rock band with a hint of 80s synthpop and 90s grunge. If you've heard Ladyhawke's first album, think that. The band is signed with Polydor and are currently enjoying some success with their latest single, "Save Me." The trio, who ranked first, have been praised for their live performances and could pave the way for guitar-driven music to make it back to the mainstream and we don't me the synthetic Dr.Luke kind either.
I like all of these acts, but I felt that Angel Haze was the most predictable of the top three. After Azealia Banks making on the list in 2012, you're pretty much guaranteed a spot somewhere on the list if you're a black female rapper who brings something different to the table (not taking anything from either artist). I'm hoping that Angel will capitalize on the success of the poll more than Azealia did, who only produced one charting song("212"), released a free mixtape and started many a Twitter feud instead of coming out with that album we were promised. In all honesty AlunaGeorge has the most potential to make it big, as they combined the best of neo-soul and electronica almost flawlessly. They could do some major damage if they can just get mainstream radio behind them.
Now for those who didn't make it who I am quite fond of
King Krule
When I was scouring the list before the official results were released, I came across this guy and his song "Rock Bottom," a blend of surf guitar, jazz fusion, and a INCREDIBLY heavy Cockney accent, which can make you love or hate him. I assumed because of his throwback sound, he would be a shoe-in for one of those top spots in the poll, but I guess not. No word on a debut album, but I'm hoping for sometime this year.
A*M*E
She's influenced by the 90s and K-Pop (she even stylized her name like a K-Pop idol.) Who wouldn't want her to win? The girl has released two really good singles in "Play The Game Boy" and "Heartless" and has the potential to shake up the UK's overly saturated generic electropop/dance pop market. A*M*E is currently signed to Universal and is eying 2013 for the release of her debut album.
One thing is for sure, 2013 will definitely be a better year for music in the United Kingdom than 2013. America watch your back.
I'm guessing this video was inspired by Example's bouncing around onstage when he performs live. The third single from his album, "The Evolution of Man" "Perfect Replacement" continues the dark electro-rock route that he tried with "Close Enemies" and failed. He should have released "All My Lows" or fan favourite "Queen of Your Dreams" as the next single, since "Enemies" didn't do so well on the charts. In this, a guy is seen bouncing and thrashing around in different places around a city, including a sandwich shoppe that looks like the one from Calvin Harris' "Sweet Nothing" video and a dark club. A bit on the boring side, but it isn't going to make me like the song less.
The first big K-Pop comeback of 2013 and it had to be one of the biggest acts: SNSD! The nine previously teased their comeback with their version of Duffy's "Mercy" a la "Dancing Queen" and giving us small teasers of the song and video during the past week. At 5:00pm South Korean time, SM Entertainment unleashed the new tune upon the world. Was it worth the hype?
The video makes deciphering the structure of the song a bit difficult, as the intro starts off pretty hardcore urban, then it transitions into more familiar pop territory, then into urban electropop. If all of that is the whole song, I'm done. The song is perfect and I have nothing else to say other than the other K-Pop girls better step their comebacks up.(Update: I just listened to the studio version of the song and it is 3 different songs in one. It's perfect!!!) Song:A-
The music video is a more colorful affair and features more hardcore street choreography than the cutesy stuff I'm accustomed to from SM.The girls seem to be taking notes from YG and their collaborations with "high fashion" designer Jeremy Scott. Overall, I think it fits the girls and I was feeling the energy from the dance part. I honestly can't wait for their promotions! I don't think the drama part of the video was necessary though.
