Kpop music thread. Stan talent, Stan-all.

I guess when they transitioned into that new beat at the end of the song it just gave me really strong 'Shut Down' vibes. But yeah, the transition itself was not a BlackPink move. More NMixx, I guess, but in that case they'd have to transition and then go back to the original again.

Anyway, NEW MUSIC ALERT:

VVUP - Locked On

This song is really doing some interesting stuff. The sampled drum beats really fill up all the empty space and then when the chorus comes in I almost missed it; it sounds more like a pre-chorus, I kept expecting the actual chorus each time after they sing it, but nope, the song just continues. Not sure what to make of this one yet; it's not super-catchy but there is something compelling about it.

QWER - T.B.H(고민중독)

this sounds just like an anime opening theme song and I'm 1000% here for it.

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Also, this new song from Sera Ryu dropped a few days ago and I am actually really impressed. It's just a lyrics video but check it out, maybe you'll hear something you like.

Sera Ryu - One More Time

Happy Throwback Thursday everyone! Technically it is now Thursday here, but yeah, I'm posting early as I have an early morning tomorrow so I won't have time to do so before I head out to work. Gonna jump right into it, we're discussing Apink today! They debuted in 2012 and the throwback for today is from 2014, and it's probably their most famous song. It officially turned ten years old at the end of March, so I thought it fitting to feature it today. Please enjoy!

Apink - Mr. Chu

NEW MUSIC ALERT!

Woo!Ah! - Blush

IMO: it's good but not great. It sounds a bit flat, there's not enough chord changes for my preference. I think if the bridge was a bit more dynamic it could pop a lot harder. But the chorus is pretty catchy and it's well produced. I was hoping for something a bit more...compelling? I dunno. I liked 'Rollercoaster' more, so it's a bit of a letdown.

Happy Throwback Thursday! But first...NEW MUSIC ALERT! This is a solo release from G(IDLE)'s Yuqi. It's pretty, and kinda nostalgic sounding. Something about the way she sings the lyrics is throwing me off, though. It's like she's over-pronouncing or something, it's a bit off. Someone in the recording booth was giving bad direction on this one, I know she can do better cuz she did in last year's 'I Do'. Anyway, it's still pretty good, check it out!

Yuqi - Could It Be

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Okay, on to the throwback! This is (once again) Girls' Day. I did warn you I'd be back for more of them, and even after this there's more to throw back to so just hang on to your shorts. This song is really great, IMO; it just has high energy right from the jump and never lets up. Anyway, let's cut to the chase and link the video; please enjoy!

Girls' Day - Female President

Happy Throwback Thursday everyone! But wait, what's that I hear in the distance? It's a...

-NEW MUSIC ALERT-
We got a new MV from ILLIT; this is off of their debut EP that released last month.

ILLIT - Lucky Girl Syndrome

Much like their debut, I think this gives off strong New Jeans vibes. Which, y'know, why wouldn't you? That group is hella successful. I'm not really sure why Hybe is fine with it's subsidiary management teams putting out such closely competing groups, but I guess if they're fine with it I am too. New Jeans is probably so swamped with offers right now they're happy to not also have to learn and promote new music for a while.

Okay, we also got a new debut from a group called BEWAVE (every group must be all caps now for some reason) which I guess is short for 'Blue Wave'. I'd have just called them Blue Wave, but I guess BEWAVE has better SEO or something. Anyway, here's the MV:

BEWAVE - Sing!

It's pretty decent. I've heard plenty of less interesting debut releases so, y'know, kudos to them. I'm not sure if it will break through for them but it's kinda catchy so maybe it will!

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Okay, on to the throwback! This one is from Sistar; I guess technically this is a summer jam since it was released in June of 2013, but I don't get the same vibes from it as I do from, say, 'Touch My Body' or 'Shake It'. Maybe it's just the vibe of the MV, since they're not at the beach or outside. Speaking of the MV, make sure to stick around at the end of it, there's a cute comedy bit. Please enjoy!

Sistar - Give It To Me

Stand Up - Rolling Quartz

This is a new single that just dropped today, and I'm enjoying it a lot! It's got a playful energy that seems new to the group; I've liked their other songs too, but this is a slightly different take on their sound.

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Straight Line - Kep1er

So this is a pre-release song off of their upcoming Japanese comeback album which releases May 8. The album is a whopping 18 tracks, although about half are Japanese versions of songs that have appeared elsewhere in their catalog. As for the song and MV, I liked it; there's some really interesting variations in instrumentation throughout the song but (with a notable exception around the 30-second mark, IMO) it sounds pretty cohesive and makes for a fun listen.

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Freak - Yuqi (from G-IDLE)

I posted the pre-release MV for Yuqi's new solo EP a couple TBTs ago, but it's now out and this is the lead single off of it. It's pretty good; if you liked the pre-release this is much in the same vein. I dunno, my expectations have been raised regarding G-IDLE so I'm a bit underwhelmed but I recognize it's still a solid release.

Last but not least, I'm pouring one out for Cherry Bullet; in particular I hope Bora is able to get out there and find some success in another group via competition shows or as a solo artist. She's such an amazing vocalist and should be way, way more of a name than she is currently. Here's hoping she gets a couple more swings at bat.

Wow, the new ARTMS song! Things I liked about it: listening to it and watching the MV. Things that I didn't like about it....nothing? Well, if I had to nitpick, I'd say that city-pop in general is all about the vibes and it tends goes down smooth, but also it doesn't necessarily have the earworm-iness quality of some other genres. I don't get citypop songs stuck in my head, but when they come up in the shuffle I'm always down to listen to them, and I think the same can be said for this song. I value pop music because of it's meme-ability, for lack of a better term. It's catchy! My brain likes it when the hook is strong. So yeah, maybe a minor complaint on what is probably my favorite ARTMS track so far.

With that out of the way, it's time for another Throwback Thursday. Believe it or not, Akdong Musician debuted ten years ago. I know, right? Time marches on for us all. But with the weather around me being as drab as it has been lately, this song seemed appropriate. It's a bit sad, but you've got that ARTMS song to go back to if you need it.

AKMU - Melted

IVE - Heya

a new EP from IVE just dropped and this is the lead single. At first listen, I think I like it more than their last comeback. Still deciding; it's not outstanding, but it's solid and the chorus is kinda catchy so that's usually good enough for me.

happy Throwback Thursday everyone! Hope you're doing well. Let's get right into it; we're talking this week about a group I don't think I've discussed before - Rainbow! They're a group that debuted in 2009 and was active until 2016. They were never especially popular, to my recollection, but they have a few good songs in their library and this is one of them. It's off their album 'Rainbow Syndrome' and I think it's one of their better songs (not my favorite - that's not until a couple years later and unfortunately it came right before their disbandment). They also had a couple sub-unit releases so there's a good amount of stuff to dig into if you're curious. The song for today is really upbeat and has an interesting sound with a lot of strings (synth strings, at least) which I don't hear too much. Anyway, check it out!

Rainbow - Sunshine

tripleS - Girls Never Die

no sub-unit this time; this song is the official debut of the full 24-member group, 4 of which are appearing in an MV for the first time (technically the video for 'Just Do It' from tripleS NXT was a performance video so this is their "official" debut as well but whatever). Not sure how sustainable this will be going forward as far as any of the members getting paid. It's unclear if the group is planning to do more collectively or if the original idea of having them split up into sub-units will play out as it was originally conceived.

Anyway, the song! It's pretty good; once again, very much of a kind with the group's other releases (with the possible exception of their ballad track, 'Door'. If anything it feels slightly more repetitive than some of their earlier songs; not sure, but I'm still enjoying it for what it is. Probably it won't make my top ten for the year; it's been a pretty strong year so far (it's only May!) and the competition for the remaining slots is fierce. I don't even know if IU is gonna make the list, which for me is saying A LOT.