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: 30-26

30. GD and Taeyang (ft. Kwanghee) - Mapsosa



Quite the unlikely collaboration, recorded as part of Korea's biggest reality show. It's a prime example of Bigbang members having fun, without worrying about the need to project a "cool" image.

29. Ola Salo - How I Kill



The Ark's frontman went solo with a track that sounded a lot like his old band. In the glam rock wasteland that was 2015, this is a very good thing. This is also the highest ranking English-language track on the countdown. My, how things have changed!

28. iKON - Airplane



YG's newest group blitzed us with five singles in three months, but this emotion, midtempo pop ballad was the best.

27. Bigbang - Bang Bang Bang 



The successor in many ways to the group's epic Fantastic Baby, the only thing that prevented this from being higher is that letdown of a chorus.

26. News - Chumu Chumu 



Cheesy? Yes! But that's okay when the best and most fun elements of Bollywood are so expertly translated to bombastic J-Pop.

Top 50 Singles of 2015: 45-41

45. Shinee - Married To The Music



A funky, Michael Jackson inspired summer track that feels indebted in one way or another to the best of every decade's music trends.

44. Infinite F - My Heart Is Beating



Infinite's lightest and poppiest subunit debuted with this cotton-candy confection that's almost too sweet, but it's anchored by a wallop of a hook.

43. Bigbang - Sober



Bigbang released more singles this year than any other k-pop artist, and this rock-influenced track stood out with its anthemic hook and crunchy guitars.

42. Lovelyz - Ah-Choo 



The high energy "cute concept" was strong with girl groups this year in Korea, and Lovelyz was a chief example. This is their most addictive single yet.

41. Janet Jackson - No Sleeep 



The legend returned not with a bang, but a quiet storm of a single that hearkens back to the moodiest music of her past.

Bigbang - Let's Not Fall In Love

Sometimes you just want a nice song. It doesn't have to be earth-shattering or different or even standout. Sometimes "nice" is all that's needed. And in Bigbang's relentless summer of genre-hopping, I was very happy to hear Let's Not Fall In Love, which sounds a little like a few of their past singles thrown into a blender. It's a subtle, gentle track, but has an excellent melodic core that never strays into unnecessary showboating. It's a particular, moody sound that Bigbang excels at. And the video? It's just as simple and just as effective, with the guys looking better than they have all summer.

Bigbang - Sober

About a month ago, I wrote one of my more critical posts about Bigbang's Bang Bang Bang. Against all odds, that song has somehow made a rebound and become one of my most played songs of the summer so far. In other words, it took a long time to click. Sober, the group's newest single in their summer bombardment, clicked pretty much instantly. Doesn't mean it's any better or worse, but it is definitely one of Bigbang's styles that I prefer. In a lot of ways, Sober's rock influences make it sound like a sequel to G-Dragon's Crooked. In fact, GD had even performed a bit of the track as an intro to Crooked two years ago. Though the songs share a lot of aural similarities, Sober is nowhere near as good as Crooked (though to be fair, not much is). It's a high water mark, and I'm fine settling for a lesser copycat if it means we get more Bigbang tracks that sound like this. The song's under fire for plagiarism accusations of The Wanted's Glad You Came. Honestly, I don't hear it and I don't care. What I do like is the 90's alternative-style music video and the entire last third of the song, where it really travels into rock territory.

Bigbang - Bang Bang Bang

Let's talk about Bigbang for a second. They are K-Pop royalty, and one of the first bands in the genre that I became obsessed with. After years away from the scene, 2015 was billed as their year, with over eight singles released monthly. I was so incredibly excited for what was in store. And while Loser has grown on me quite a bit, I've gotta say their output has been a bit on the 'meh' side for me so far, especially compared with their flawless 2012 era. Bang Bang Bang was released yesterday, and has me all confused. For the first minute or so, I was pumped that this would finally be the BB I'd been waiting for. Then when the chorus hit, I literally groaned. Instead of something melodic and energetic, they went for that tired, lazy, horrible "trap breakdown" that seems to be so popular these days. The song suddenly slows to a crawl, loses all momentum and basically just dies. What a crushing disappointment. I mean, this is Bigbang! Creators of Haru Haru, Monster, Lies, Fantastic Baby, Love Song... the list goes on. It's like they forgot about the importance of an actual chorus in favor of pandering to "what the kids like." I'm sure it will grow on me--such is my loyalty as a fan--but I can't help but fear for mainstream music. I mean, repeating the words "bang bang bang" over an unimaginative trap beat is not a chorus. Anyone can do that. This is BIGBANG. We expect a hell of a lot more. At least the video's flashy (if not a little offensive).



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

Bigbang - Loser

It's been three years! Though, with all the solo releases it doesn't necessarily feel like it. But Bigbang is back! And, as expected, they're selling through the roof. About a month ago I posted about Exo's newest single and the idea of expectation being a hindrance when it comes to music. With three years of expectation, nothing Bigbang could have released would have been entirely sufficient. And although I think it was a bit of a mistake to comeback with two slower-tempo, pretty-but-not-in-your-face-awesome singles, that shouldn't take away from the tracks themselves. Loser, in particular, is a classic YG midtempo track with an instantly memorable chorus. What it lacks in punch, it'll most likely make up for in staying power. But I don't think it will be the best thing that the guys release this year. After all, they've got an entire summer of singles planned. I'm still waiting for a new Monster or Haru Haru or Fantastic Baby... something that feels like an instant classic. I hope we get one, but if we don't I'll certainly settle for a handful of tracks like this.



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

GD & Taeyang - Good Boy

"I am a good boy"

When I hear that G-Dragon is coming back (in any capacity), I automatically get very excited to hear what he's come up with. Now, of all the genres he dabbles in, trap is not really my favorite version of GD. Because of this, it took a couple of listens for me to get over the disappointment that Good Boy wasn't another Crooked and learn to enjoy it for what it actually is. Having fellow bandmate and old friend Taeyang on the track certainly helps, as his parts are easily the catchiest -- especially that rapid fire bridge before the breakdown. Even the squiggly beat, which I'd initially found a little annoying and overdone, has wormed its way into my head. Above all, this track makes me even thirstier for a full comeback from Bigbang. I can think of no other band in the world who is able to pull apart and be so incredibly awesome and successful as solo artists. I feel like all of that experience is going to make for one hell of an album once they decide to release it.



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

The Top Ten Singles By... BigBang!

In the world of K-Pop, there is one band to rule them all. BigBang released the best Korean album of last year, and now that their leader G-Dragon is back with a new single, I thought it was a good time to look back on the band's discography.

10. Gara Gara Go! (2009) - Most of the group's English singles suck. This is only partially English (it's mostly Japanese), and it's pretty corny, but there's something about that beat. It's really difficult not to like, even though it seems so simplistic compared to what the band's doing now.

9. Tell Me Goodbye (2010) - A dramatic ballad with an equally cinematic video, this single has one of the group's most beautiful melodies in the verses. Taeyang shines on this, especially.

8. Dirty Cash (2006) - I have a real soft spot for this cheesy, rock-infused track. It sounds nothing like any of their other material, but that sugary pop melody is incredibly durable. Funny video, too.

7. Bad Boy (2012) - Revisiting one of the band's favorite themes, this is an addictive throwback to late 90's r&b/hip-hop with a sweet--if subtle--melody that brought the group to a new level of success.

6. Lies (2007) - The first track to really show off my favorite Bigbang sound--a mix of melancholic piano, rousing hip-hop and explosive production. The template for songs four, three and one on this list.

5. Blue (2012) - As soon as that comforting, seesaw instrumental kicks off, this song instantly soothes. Not their flashiest single, but certainly one of their most melodic.

4. Haru Haru (2008) - One of their biggest hits, and deservedly so. The combination of TOP's gruff rap and the explosively lush chorus is a masterstroke. One of their best videos, too.

3. Love Song (2011) - The band at their most confident and world-conquering. Achingly melodic, with an English hook that builds into a gorgeous, wordless post-chorus. Very dramatic.

2. Fantastic Baby (2012) - The band's biggest and best dance track, and likely the one that most newbies will find first. The huge sledgehammer beat and out-of-this-world visuals marked a new transition, especially in the post Gangnam Style landscape of K-Pop. But this came first, and it's better.

1. Monster (2012) - The song that sealed the deal for me. It's their most dramatic, most cinematic, most emotional and most gorgeously produced single to date. It's got me absolutely aching to see what they do next.

So there you go! But here's the thing, no list is complete without hearing what you think! Leave your top ten BigBang songs in the comments!

Top 50 Singles Of 2012: 5-1

5. Studio Killers - Eros & Apollo



I didn't think Studio Killers could trump their last effort, but with this sly, lushly electronic warning about guys who seem to good to be true, they did it. Now bring on the album!

4. Darin - Nobody Knows



Darin at his most bombastic. Though he's had plenty of tracks I've liked in the past, this was a new pinnacle for him. It's huge. Just mammoth in sound.

3. EXO-K - Mama



Speaking of "mammoth in sound"! In my world, there is no such thing as "overproduced," and this track has it all. Choirs, strings, guitar, shout-rapping, dance breaks. It's like an entire album in one song.

2. Loreen - Euphoria



No title in 2012 better described the sound of its accompanying song. This really is pure euphoria. It's so deceptively simple, yet somehow gets better every single time you play it.

1. Bigbang - Monster 



I cannot think of a better song this year. Everything just clicks, from the orchestral production to the gorgeous, sweeping melody, to the flawless, motion-picture-quality music video. It defies language, though the English hook assures that the meaning is clear. Utterly affecting, and a dynamite pop song to boot.

Top 20 Albums Of 2012: 4-3

4. Bigbang - Alive



The K-Pop album to rule them all in 2012. There are so many iterations of this particular release, but when you take all eleven tracks from the various re-releases, you end up with an album that's impressive in its scope and sheer consistency. The number of genres these guys tackle--and master--is amazing. If executives are looking to forge a new pop group, this is exactly the template they should be following.

3. Mika - The Origin Of Love



A surprising return to form after I (and quite a few others) had written him off. This is his most cohesive and personal album, and it really feels like an artist maturing. There's nothing better than thoughtful, mature pop, but Mika doesn't forget to pile on the hooks and production flourishes, either. More than that, the album doesn't just feel like a collection of songs. The listening experience is like a story, each part integral to the whole.

Top 50 Singles Of 2012: 15-11

15. Mika - Celebrate



The most celebratory (obviously) single of Mika's career. It's him at his simple, melody-driven best.

14. EXO-K - History



One of the funkiest beats of the year, and a melody written by the always reliable Thomas Troelsen.

13. Diviney - You're So Cool



Went straight from Short Stack to 80's, INXS-style funk-pop. Totally irresistible.

12. Bigbang - Fantastic Baby



If only people knew that there was a 2012 K-Pop single with even more bombastic, earth-shaking dance beats than Gangnam Style...

11. Fun. - Some Nights 



Fun.'s masterpiece, and what I hope will be the template for every track from here on.

Top 50 Singles Of 2012: 25-21

25. Bigbang - Blue



A melancholic, melody-driven single with some definite earworm production. Signaled the return of a band who would go on to have their best year yet.

24. Fun. - We Are Young



Single-handedly revived anthemic, theatrical pomp rock. Next step? Push it even farther, please.

23. Ola - I'm In Love



Another reinvention of his sound, this was one of Summer's most effortlessly cool tracks.

22. Elton John vs. Pnau - Good Morning To The Night



An exhilarating brew of old and new. Hearing Elton's 70's vocals over a modern dance beat was nothing short of spectacular.

21. Jedward - Luminous 



Proving that with the right production and song, they could be very credible indeed. far surpassed any expectations I had.

Flashback Friday: Bigbang - Haru Haru

"Finally I realized that I'm nothing without you"

2012 will definitely end up as the year that I fell in love with K-Pop. Because I'm a little bit behind, there's a lot to catch up on. My favorite group (and I'm sure I'm not alone, here) is Bigbang, and I've been having a lot of fun going through their back catalogue. Haru Haru is only a few years old, but it's going to qualify as a Flashback Friday anyway. It was one of their biggest hits and it's easy to see why. Some choruses just stick instantly, and this is one of them. In my mind, it's kind of the melodic precursor to the even better Monster, released this year.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the song here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Bigbang - Monster

"I love you, baby I'm not a monster"

I told myself that I wouldn't let this blog be overrun by K-pop, but I just have to post this track because it's become an intense obsession for me over the past few weeks. For those who don't know, Bigbang and pretty much the most successful group in South Korea (and, honestly, they're big around the world). Initially, they sounded and were styled like pretty much every other boy band, but with this most recent album they've really evolved artistically and experimented with many different genres. Monster is the single from the reissued version of the album and, beyond its amazingly cinematic video, it's an absolute stunner. It's amazing how you can get the point of a song with only a couple of lyrics in your native language. The music really tells the story here, along with the gorgeous rapped/sung vocals. The chorus is truly one of the best of the year. I wish we had male acts like this in the States--ones who aren't afraid of being highly stylized and totally embracing avant garde fashion. As wonderful as Gangnam Style is, this is the type of K-pop I would love to see cross over internationally.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.