Gift Category: Share Music With Me
My Top 5 Kpop Songs
Did you know I love k-pop? I got into it around 2018/2019 and the pandemic was the perfect condition under which I could go completely bananas over it. I love a solid, dramatic song with a good hook and maybe some orchestration or jazzy bass, a sophisticated harmony or a good key-change/post-bridge drop will always grab me. Check these songs out with good speakers, there's actually a variety of sounds included in this list, from gentle songs to absolute rock-outs.
1. Area by SHINee
Easily my favorite kpop song of all time by my favorite K-pop group. It's a b-side on the ATLANTIS album by SHINee, about the space left empty by someone who is gone. It features all of SHINee's masterful falsettos and tight, warm harmonies, with a nod to their missing member Jonghyun and the area that can never be filled without him. It's sooooo beautiful.
2. Deja Vu by Nu'Est W
Nu'est was previously my favorite K-pop group, the first I really got "into," and claimed as "my group-"but they disbanded a few years ago. They write and produce their own music under lead singer Baekho and in-house producer Bumzu, and so developed a distintive, smooth electro-jazz sound. Deja Vu really showcases their strength in restraint. It has a great beat, a great build, and Kori's favorite, a hypnotizing bassline. Try not to get chills when the first chorus drops and that bass really twangs...and hold onto your hat as the digital marimba layers over the chorus in teh second half. Really good stuff!!!
3. Moonshot by N.Flying
KEY CHANGE!!!!! POST-BRIDGE KEYCHANGE!!!! N.Flying is technically a "k-band," in that they are a band that plays instruments instead of dancing, so they have a rich compositional sound and a great handle on their instruments. This is a great song, with lots of drama, wailing, great percussion and guitar, and...did I mention the key change yet? It's really good. I love waiting for it. I will bop to this song for the rest of my life.
4. Criminal by Taemin
Listen here on Youtube music or watch the music video on youtube here or embedded below:
Taemin, the baby member of SHINee, is one of my favorite soloists. He's developed a distinctive style and simmers in dark themes. This song is maybe peak Taemin. He's got a gentle, sultry sound that he pairs with excellent choreography. Definitely watch the music video for a sexy visual treat!
5. Searchlight by 7 o'Clock
A bit of a weird cut, but this is like the platonic ideal for a kpop song for me. And it's not on any music streaming sites? I don't know anything about this group or the song but there is still a youtube video version of it. It's good. It's catchy, it a little haunting, it's very formulaic. I love it. It's basically always stuck in my head.