Akdong Musician - Ga Na Da Together

I have been waiting with great patience for the return of Akdong Musician (AKMU, for short). They are one of the most unique, fun and creative duos in Korean music and really a necessary voice in the genre. And while I'm still waiting (less patiently) for an actual, official comeback, I was delighted to receive the gift of this special song and music video celebrating Korea's Hangul Day. Hangul, for those who don't know, is the Korean alphabet. It has a unique and interesting history all its own, and is considered to be one of the most logical--almost scientifically designed--alphabets in the world. But really, that has little to do with the actual song, which is an incredibly jubilant, sassy piece of singalong pop. As usual, composer Chanhyuk's choices in melody, production and lyrics are smart and quirky, and the duo perform the track with enough infectious energy to put a smile on anybody's face. And best of all... the song actually becomes even catchier the more you listen to it. I really, really love these two.



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Top 50 Singles of 2014: 5-1

5. 5 Seconds Of Summer - She Looks So Perfect



Quite simply, it's the perfect pop song. It also happens to be the highest ranked English-language track on the countdown. Of all the singles that were successful in the West this year, this bombastic, fizzy anthem was the one I kept going back to. That chorus is one-in-a-million. Bottled lightning.

4. Josef Johansson - Blickar Kan Mörda



I wish that more people were familiar with this song. Through his work this year, Josef Johansson has become the Swedish artist I'm most anticipating. The song itself reminds me of something Darin would put out, yet it's got a quirky edge that compliments the surging, addictive production and hook.

3. Akdong Musician - 200%



There are so many ideas and surprises hidden in this bubbly mix of pop, folk and hip-hop. It's like pulling open a nesting doll. Some tracks settle for one or two strong hooks. In 200%, every strum of the guitar and vocal adlib are hooky, which makes the song a little hard to click on first listen. But, it's also what makes it the pop song that keeps giving the more you listen to it.

2. B1A4 - Lonely 



Its soaring melody and icy hip-hop beat might seem fairly simple at first, but it's the little turns in leader Jinyoung's songwriting that make this midtempo ballad stand out. The accented high notes in the chorus, the key change at the end, the way the rap winds through the song so seemlessly, the hints of trumpet buried in the mix, and the final, repeated refrain of the title. It's utterly affecting, and much more emotional than you'd expect it to be as it steadily builds to its explosive climax. Honestly, it's probably the best ballad I've heard in years, without really being a ballad at all. I had it placed at the top spot several times.

1. Infinite - Back 



The best pop songs have a standout moment. The absolute best have more than one. Back is like one perfect moment right after the other. That first, dramatic beat drop after the climbing balladry that opens the track -- the aggressive dance breakdown after the first chorus, cut by distorted guitar -- the seemingly disparate orchestral suite underpinning not only the middle eight but the entire song. Somehow, it manages to sound exactly like K-Pop yet nothing like K-Pop at the same time. Infinite has always been known for their powerful vocals, but you can feel the energy and desperation dripping from every note in Back. The track itself is an ambitious gamble with song structure that pays off to almost jaw-dropping effect. It's just ballsy... the kind of thing mainstream groups rarely attempt. In fact, the song is so good that it made me go back and reconsider everything else the guys have done, and put Infinite at the very top of my K-Pop obsession.

Don't forget, if you'd like to listen to the Top 50 Singles Countdown in full, download the audio version!

Top 20 Albums of 2014: 10-9

10. BTS - Dark And Wild



This was a band I got into later in the year... not the love at first sight type of music discovery, but instead a more gradual appreciation brought about by single after excellent single. I love the old school hip hop feel to the album, augmented with boisterous hooks and undeniable swagger. A bit too many ballads in the middle for my liking, but still an assured, enjoyable from start to finish, debut album for the guys.

9. Akdong Musician - Play



Most of the K-pop that I love is upbeat and produced to within an inch of its life (not a bad thing, by the way), but in that landscape this might have been the most refreshing release of the year. I was already familiar with AKMU from their time on K-pop Star, but I really didn't know if their actual music would be my thing. Turns out that their quirky brand of folk-pop, complimented by elements of hip-hop, became surprisingly addictive. It's definitely one of those "early spring" type records, full of light and innocence and joy.

Top 50 Singles of 2014: 30-26

30. Winner - Empty



The debut single from one of the most successful newcomers on the K-pop scene this year. It's a slow burn, but once the melody gets under your skin, it'll stick there.

29. Akdong Musician - Give Love



The other super-successful debut this year, Give Love has spring and summer written all over it. It's fresh and happy and pretty much adorable (without grating, like most adorable things do).

28. Avicii - The Days (ft. Robbie Williams)



As far as hit Avicii singles go, this flew under the radar despite being one hundred percent amazing. It's also the best thing Robbie Williams has put his name to in awhile.

27. Hi Suhyun - I'm Different (ft. Bobby) 



I used the word "adorable" earlier, which by the way is not a word I use often. But one half of Akdong Musician, paired with the soulful, quirky Lee Hi and charismatic Bobby certainly earn the word.

26. Exo - Overdose 



Exo was one of the very first K-pop groups to catch my eye, and I've been amazing at how insanely popular they've become since then. This isn't their best single, but it's definitely near the top.

Don't forget, if you'd like to listen to the Top 50 Singles Countdown in full, download the audio version!

Hi Suhyun - I'm Different (ft. Bobby)

From one YG track to another, I'm always compelled to post the latest from Korea's most reliable entertainment company. Hi Suhyun is a special project merging the talents of solo artist Lee Hi and one half of sibling duo Akdong Musician, Lee Suhyun. Both are YG artists and, incidentally, were contestants on K-Pop Star. I love them both separately, but together they're even better. Two very distinct voices and personalities elevate what could easily have been a forgettable track. Add to that a feature from upcoming boy group iKON's Bobby and you have an absolutely incredibly combo. The music video is, of course, adorable, and that track itself has that undeniable sass and swagger that characterizes the best of YG's output. I liked it from the first listen, but didn't expect it to stick with me a strongly as it has. I would love to hear an album or mini from this duo in the future (as long as it doesn't stop Akdong Musician from putting out more music as well).



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Akdong Musician - Time And Fallen Leaves

I am not nearly as filled with October/Halloween spirit as I'd like to be. I don't know what it is, but this year I just feel like the season is passing my by and I need to get on that real quick. Luckily, I've got Akdong Musician and their new autumnal single, Time and Fallen Leaves to help me out. The duo previously ushered in spring with their brilliant 200%. This song has a totally different vibe. It's gentle, moody and takes its time to build to a crescendo. In fact, it's not even a real duet until almost halfway through. The sibling duo are incredibly popular in Korea right now, and rightfully so. There's just something about their voices, songwriting and image that is incredibly refreshing. This is not the usual music I go for, but I am totally smitten with these guys. Eat something pumpkin-flavored, grab a hot drink, and relax to this beauty.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Akdong Musician - 200%

In addition to being a huge K-Pop fan, I've been obsessed with K-Pop Star (Korea's answer to American Idol or X-Factor) throughout its three seasons. Akdong Musician were the winners of last year's season two, which also happened to be the best season. The sibling duo hail from Mongolia but have signed with huge Korean agency YG (home to G-Dragon, Bigbang and 2NE1, amongst others) and have just released their first album. They specialize in hyper-clever, cute acoustic pop... which is normally the kind of thing I absolutely detest. But, there's just something about these two. It's hard not to love them and their music, and this track is no exception. 200% is a bubbly, summery single that brings a smile to my face. It's a near-perfect hybrid of pure pop, indie and hip-hop. It didn't click fully the first time I heard it, but after a couple of listens I found myself totally smitten.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.