Top 50 Singles of 2015: 5-1

5. Seventeen - Mansae



If they wowed me with their debut, I was utterly floored with this follow-up. It's like a whole year's worth of pop energy wrapped up into three minutes.

4. Shinee - View



It's hard to imagine a better beat this year. Initially, I thought it sounded too European, but this song turned out to be the biggest earworm of the year. Every time it comes on in a playlist, it feels like it's summer again.

3. BTS - I Need U



A true turning point for this fast-rising group, and their highest entry ever on this countdown. It has so much more emotional heft than any of their previous singles, and that electro sledgehammer that rounds out the chorus drives it all home. Truly a timeless, genre-less pop song.

2. Super Junior - Devil 



From the emotional to the unstoppably fun, Super Junior managed to release the best, most effortless single of their long career. Some songs just lift your spirits when you hear them, and it's impossible to stay sad or upset when Devil comes on. Sometimes simplicity and a killer hook is all it takes to forge a masterpiece.

1. Kat-Tun - Dead Or Alive 



Never has a Japanese track hit the top spot on my countdown, and I'm so happy that Dead Or Alive is the one to do it. I'm a sucker for dramatic, orchestral production, and this track is damn near symphonic in nature. I first heard it about a month after it was released, and was intrigued but thought the lack of a strong backbeat was somewhat unfortunate. Then, a few months later, the song appeared in a random playlist and those opening fifteen or so seconds just blew away everything I had been listening to that day. So grand and majestic... so BIG. Since then, it's been the track to beat all year, and nothing's been able to fully match up. It really is a transcendent piece of pop music, with all the bells and whistles I go crazy for.

Top Albums and Mini-Albums of 2015: Number 3

ALBUMS

3. Shinee - Odd/Married To The Music



A Shinee release is always something to get excited about, and then they went and repackaged an already brilliant album into an even more brilliant rerelease. Though not quite up their with the groups best 2013 releases, Odd showed us many new sides to the group that let them reconfigure their sound just a bit. It also resulted in two of the year's best singles, as well as some left-field gems that could have easily taken over airwaves as well.

MINI ALBUMS

3. BTS - The Most Beautiful Moment In Life (Part One)



BTS released two mini albums this year, though they kind of function as one multi-part concept. Their first, released back in April, is the stronger, with a non-stop barrage of flawless tracks. From the upbeat silliness of Boyz With Fun to the dark and touching I Need U, the album is balanced perfectly between moods and really ushers the group into a new status and sound. It's definitely one of the more unique and characteristic albums released this year in Korea.

Top 50 Singles of 2015: 25-21

25. BTS - Dope



Their ode to hard work and training, and this year's best example of how to do an instrumental breakdown the right way.

24. News - Four Musketeers



An odd pop song, that barrows more from classical orchestration than it does from current trends. Somehow, it all works brilliantly together.

23. Bigbang - Let's Not Fall In Love



Not the loudest or most in-your-face single the group released this year, but I feel like that earworm of a melody will give it the massive staying power that other songs lack.

22. Boys Republic - Hello 



A hazy summer track that borrows the best from melodic, late-90's boyband pop. It just sounds like a peaceful drive by the beach.

21. Red Velvet - Dumb Dumb 



A schizophrenic firework of a single, catapulting Red Velvet to the top tiers of k-pop. It's all about that beat.

Top 50 Singles of 2015: 35-31

35. Exid - Ah Yeah



The girls followed up their breakthrough with this resounding success. There are so many little hooks within, but at the end of the day it all comes back to that gargantuan chorus.

34. AOA - Heart Attack



The first time I heard this, I couldn't get over how noisy and frantic it sounded, but then everything came together and I realized what a brilliant propulsive pop workout it truly is.

33. B1A4 - Happy Days



They placed two times in the top 10 of last year's countdown, and surprisingly their 2015 entry is an anthemic, poppy, Japanese release.

32. BTS - Run 



Released literally a day before my cut-off date of eligibility to this countdown, it's hard to tell what staying power this will have, but based on their track record, I'm betting I'll be playing this brilliant single a lot next year.

31. Romeo - Target 



An even better Sweetune single from new group Romeo, this is the kind of synth-drenched, layered blast of pop that I live for.

BTS - Run

BTS have really thrown down the gauntlet this year and catapulted to the top tiers of the K-Pop industry. Their two part project, The Most Beautiful Moment In Life, has so far resulted in the brilliantly evocative I Need U music video and extended album trailer. Now we've got Run, which is itself a stunning long-form, cinematic music video. It's probably wrong to romanticize teenage gang crime or turn it into fashion, but for whatever reason I find myself drawn to concepts like this. Maybe it's because I wish I was a little more rebellious! I think it's also because BTS have managed to fully capture a mood with this video, and that's an ambition that few K-Pop groups aspire to. Whatever the reason, the cinematography and acting here is top notch, and the song itself is an instant head rush. Taken together with their previous work this year, it really feels like they're the group that's currently leading the hallyu wave.



(If you decide to buy K-Pop physical album releases -- and my god you should, because they're awesomely presented -- try catchopcd for some of the best prices out there. Use this link to get 5% off your first order!)

BTS - I Need U

I was so looking forward to BTS's comeback. They're one of my favorite current K-Pop groups out there. When I Need U was released last week, I was initially disappointed. I was really craving something more uptempo, along the lines of Danger or Hormone War. It was a case of expectations striking yet again. A week later, and I am so obsessed with this track. I absolutely love it. The moody music video (below) definitely played a part in that, but repeated listens also brought to light the fantastic production and melody, which had initially seemed too murky for my taste. I'm still looking forward to a big dance track from the guys (maybe later this year?), but as of now I think I've listened to this even more than Bigbang's new single.



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

Top 10 Mini Albums of 2014

Before we move on to the best of the best early next week, I'm going to pause for my top mini albums (or EPs) of the year. Given that this format is used most widely in Asia, there's a lot of K-Pop on the list. Strangely, there's also only one female representing this year! I'll be looking for them to come strong in 2015! To be eligible for this chart, the albums must have at least four full tracks.

10. HyunA - A Talk



I became a HyunA fan this year, despite not being into too much of he stuff in the past. That's all to do with this sleek, dud-free collection of charismatic dance pop.

9. BTS - Skool Luv Affair



Nearly a full album, with eight tracks on the expanded version, I didn't like this quite as much as their other release this year, but you can't deny the pair of singles...totally different from one another but both awesome.

8. VIXX - Error



Glossy, meticulous production highlights this collection of dramatic, sci-fi flavored dance. The title track is epic, and the rest of the album surprisingly lives up to it.

7. Exo - Overdose 



EXO had a quieter year in 2014, with just this mini-album release. It's not their most in-your-face collection, but it's an incredibly interesting listen, sonically, and of course includes the fantastic title track.

6. Halo - Hello Halo 



One of the most promising new debuts of the year, I love that this group is pure POP and doesn't really try to be anything else. It's a short album, at only four tracks, but they're all bright and fun.

5. Austin Mahone - The Secret



It may not include his best song (What About Love), but the throwback sound to the late 90's Swedish pop boom is incredibly welcome and sets this collection of songs apart from everything else out there.

4. Gravitonas - Garden Of Men And Machines



My favorite release from them, simply because each and every song is flawless. It has a nice sonic variety as well, with aggressive dance sitting beside pensive balladry.

3. The Fooo Conspiracy - Conspiration



These guys released two excellent EPs this year, but this is my favorite. It's a masterclass in fun, youthful 2014 urban dance pop. Playful, energetic and ridiculously catchy.

2. Taemin - Ace 



I'm a massive Michael Jackson fan, which is part of the reason I love K-Pop so much, and Taemin delivered what sounds like a modern MJ release. His background as a dancer is evident in the way his vocals massage the beats.

1. B1A4 - Solo Day 



No single release this year sounded more like summer than this. Overall, it's more subdued and downtempo (even acoustic) than most of what I like, but song for song, I don't think this mini album could be beat in 2014. It just makes me happy.

Top 50 Singles of 2014: 25-21

25. ToppDogg - Annie



K-Pop borrows from one of my absolute favorite genres, New Jack Swing, in this effervescent, beat-driven dance track. It's this group's best single by a mile. So far...

24. Orange Caramel - Catallena



So many have called this annoyingly wonderful, and it's true that the vocals and production will drive many people away. Honestly, though, it's inventive, fun, fizzy stuff with a mammoth hook.

23. BTS - War Of Hormone



This is the single (and music video) that broke this band for me. I'd liked them before, but for whatever reason I just fell in love with the hyped up, goofy bravado of this track.

22. 2NE1 - Happy 



A strummy, melodic summertime pop song that's much calmer and relaxed than most of the group's output. The vocals on this are so charming, as is the colorful video.

21. Ruth Lorenzo - Dancing In The Rain 



Eurovision's top act, in my mind, and a moment of retribution for the amazing ex-X-Factor contestant that finally got her due this year. The vocals? They'll give you chills.

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: 45-41

45. Gravitonas - People Are Lonely (ft. Army Of Lovers)



A stark, melodic ballad bringing together two of Swedish mastermind Alexander Bard's pet projects. Delightfully weird, yet emotionally mainstream.

44. BTS - Danger



A charismatic hip-hop track with an addictive, guitar-fueled hook. Remixed later in the year with an equally good, slowed down tempo.

43. Dami Im - Super Love



An Avicii-style dance track that could have been generic if not for Dami Im's superbly soaring vocals.

42. Crayon Pop - Hero 



An off-kilter duet that sounds a bit like Abba on crack. Won't be for everyone, but it's definitely for me!

41. Michael Jackson - Love Never Felt So Good 



An unreleased track by a musical legend, updated with today's production while still retaining its classic, groove-filled feel.

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