#i didn’t even listen to svt’s home run album until almost like a year after it dropped 😭😭😭

[chocosvt]

i don't see psycho appreciation posts? i was most excited to read your comments on it after jun dropped the addicting bomb 😭

THERES NO WAY YOU SAID THIS TO ME I JUST THREW UP!!

[nonasrandomthoughts]

My Most Favorite KPop Releases for the 1st Half of 2019

It’s a blessing that Kpop continues to give us beautiful songs through various artists and through various genres, too. I’ve always wanted to share to people the songs/albums I’ve put on repeat so far this year since their release because: 1) got stuck on my head; and 2) it’s just too good; and 3) good music should be shared!

I will be separating these into three parts: Albums, Title tracks/singles, and B-sides. Note that if I love the whole album, I won’t be mentioning them again in the title track/singles or B-sides list, and vice versa. And this list is chronological, because I don’t want to have a hard time ranking them. 

Disclaimer: This is a personal list, so if the album/song/artist you’re looking for isn’t here, it’s probably because I haven’t checked them out yet, or it hasn’t made much impact to me as much as the ones mentioned below.

Now, let me first discuss my favorite Kpop albums/mini-albums:

1.       ATEEZ – Ep.2 – ZERO TO ONE

ATEEZ is a relatively new Kpop group that I didn’t expect to have really good music. To be honest, every time they show up on my Youtube recommendations, I tend to not give it any attention because I thought they have a sound that I probably wouldn’t like. But when I see several reactors reacting to their songs, I tried listening to it and I WAS SHOOK OF HOW GOOD THEIR SONGS ARE. This album particularly is what caught my attention because of their title tracks and even the B-sides are great!

2.       HUTA (Lee Minhyuk) – HUTAZONE

BTOB’s Minhyuk proves that he is a well-rounded idol that should be greatly recognized. I still get chills how distinct his rapping voice is from his singing voice. If you are not fully familiar with Minhyuk and you listen to this album, you might think there’s a guy singing and another, rapping. But it’s just one person. I really love the title track YA and the B-sides Lonely and Waiting for You stood out to me the most.

3.       SEVENTEEN  - You Made My Dawn

Here comes the self-producing group SEVENTEEN dropping a mini-album full of bops. My hopes were already up since they released You Make My Day and they don’t disappoint! You can hear the versatility of SVT in every track, not just because of the unit songs. They’ve given different vibes and it’s ear-satisfying. Go listen to understand how I felt. Most favorites are Good to Me and title track Home.

4.       JUS2 – FOCUS

THE GOT7 UNIT I DIDN’T KNOW I NEEDED. If you’ve been a fan of GOT7 like me and subscribed to their Soundcloud accounts, you would know that JB and Yugyeom are R&B princes. And when these two joined forces, it’s a heavenly feeling. Imagine the sexiness of their voices, which are powerful yet chill, combined into an album! It’s definitely hypnotizing (Focus On Me, Touch, Long Black) and addictive (Drunk on You, Senses, Love Talk). It’s a reality that feels like a dream.

5.       Stray Kids – Clé1: MIROH

I’m not really a big fan of hiphop songs but there’s this element in Stray Kids’ songs that makes me anticipate for more. The Cle1: MIROH album signals a beginning of a new era in their journey but the meanings they convey in their songs just keep getting wider. The element I loved in this album is the complexity in the songs. Maze of Memories was the first to give a strong impression to me, because it feels like you’re listening to a song within a song. Chronosaurus also has this mysterious vibe. 19 is a laid-back track and I love the R&B sound here.

6.       PENTAGON – Genie:Us

THIS SHOULD HAVE EARNED THEM THEIR FIRST WIN. I have been a fan of Pentagon and their title tracks are really great. Sha la la is by far, their greatest title track. But if you listen further up to the last track of this album, you will fall in-love with the whole thing. Kino and Hui joining the rapline of the group for the song Lost Paradise is one of the best thing that happened to their discography. Feel-good song Alien kind of reminds me of their song Pretty Pretty, it’s just the beat is slowed down. In each album, they never forget to include a powerful ballad like Until That Moment (it’s been on repeat on my playlist) and fun-but-kinda-sad song Spring Time.

7.       BLACKPINK – KILL THIS LOVE

The unstoppable girl group! As I’ve always said, Blackpink may have very few comebacks but they make sure every comeback is high-quality. The girls also portrayed different vibes in this album. From Kill This Love with intense brass sounds, groovy dance tracks Don’t Know What To Do and Kick It, down the last track, a ballad named Hope Not–Blackpink surely know how to win our hearts with their songs.

8.       GOT7 – SPINNING TOP: Between Security & Insecurity

Every comeback these boys make always show improvement especially in the musical quality. The members of GOT7 have once again participated greatly in the compositions of the album. I love how they portrayed their personal insecurities through the album, incorporated them to the lyrics, and is depicted to the whole comeback concept. Eclipse it a great title track, but I am really curious of how it originally sounded when JYP haven’t made some polishing yet. I love how the album started strong with 1°. It immediately climbed up to my favorite GOT7 B-sides. End showed off the rapper’s cool vocal tone; Time Out has a bright sound and chill vibe; Believe, a hiphop/R&B song gives me a “Prove It” vibe; and Page is a party anthem.

9.       ATEEZ – Treasure Ep.3 - ONE TO ALL

ATEEZ once again proves that they do not run out of good songs to release through this album. They released two title tracks: ILLUSION and WAVE. This album gives off a chill and happy vibe unlike their previous releases and they pull it off in a great way. I really appreciate their vocals more in this album, and it really made me go ‘Hakuna Matata.’ I am also so proud of these boys for getting their first music show win through this comeback. Keep that great music coming, ATEEZ!

10.   SF9 – RPM

I have been following SF9 since debut, and in every album they release, there would always be an odd-one-out for my music taste. This is the first time I actually loved every song in SF9’s album. The title track gives off a signature SF9 sound, which is tough yet cool. Round and Round has cool sound elements and great vocals. Dreamer gives a dystopian-movie theme vibe. Liar is a great song with a chorus beat-drop that will almost leave you hanging but will satisfy your ears. See You Tomorrow is BEAUTIFUL. It’s the best SF9 B-side for me. Echo has a sound reminiscent of 2nd gen Kpop songs but with more electronic synths. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM TO EVERYONE. LISTEN TO THIS RIGHT NOW.

11.   Stray Kids – Clé2: Yellow Wood

This album wouldn’t have made it through this list since basically, it only has 3 new songs and a compilation of the previous mixtape tracks. But I have to put this here because those Mixtapes are OT9 versions of my favorite 3RACHA songs. (Note: 3RACHA is the rap line of Stray Kids: Chan, Changbin, and Han. They also produce their own group’s songs). MIxtape1 (Placebo) does not really go far from the original one and I really liked how the new sound fit every member. Mixtape2 (If there’s a Shadow, There’s a Light) became a really soft and soothing song. I expected the music will be changed since the 3RACHA track borrowed the instrumental of the song Far (멀어) by Primary, but I didn’t expected it to be almost mellow. Mixtape3 (For You) is my most favorite remake because the vocals really stood out, making the song more meaningful. Mixtape4 (Broken Compass) still gave off that strong feeling, but the richer sound of the song is evident.

This album especially the new tracks are perfect for parties. That’s all I can say for how big of a bop they are.

12.   CHUNGHA – Flourishing

Chungha came running through my playlist with her new album and all I can say is SHE’S AWESOME. She surprised me with her sweet vocals and great music. Snapping is a whole bop, as well as Flourishing. I love the ballad Call it Love, but my personal pick is Young in Love because of its fresh vibe. I haven’t actually kept track of her every release but starting now, I might. Maybe it’s safe to say that she is the next summer queen. 

   Top 10 Favorite Title Tracks/Singles

Astro – All Night

CLC – No

Mamamoo – gogobebe

Everglow – Bon Bon Chocolat

KARD – Bomb bomb

Twice – Fancy

Park Bom – 4:44

Oh My Girl – SSFWL

NU’EST – Bet Bet

(G)I-DLE – Uh-oh

   Top 10 Favorite B-sides

Astro – Bloom (from album “All Light”)

CLC – Like It (from mini-album “No. 1”)

TREI – Deep (from mini-album “Born”)

SF9 – Heartbeat (from mini-album “Narcissus”)

(G)I-dle – Give me your (from mini-album “I Made”)

Heize – Dispatch (from album “She’s Fine”)

N.FLYING – Leave It (from mini-album “Spring Memories”)

NU’EST – Segno (from mini-album “Happily Ever After”)

SOMI – Outta My Head (from single “Birthday”)

Red Velvet – Sunny Side Up! (from mini-album “The ReVe Festival Day 1”)

  Go and give a listen to all these albums/songs on any music streaming platforms!

Also, feel free to leave more music recommendations!