EXO-K - Overdose

"Someone call the doctor"

It's been a little while since I've shared some k-pop here. After the South Korean ferry accident a few weeks ago, there's been a complete halt in new music releases from the country, out of respect to those suffering from the tragedy. Now, things are slowly getting back to normal and this song, which was originally scheduled for mid-April, has seen its release. EXO, and specifically EXO-K, was one of the first k-pop groups I got into. Their style is completely in line with their agency, SM Entertainment. Robotic, futuristic, aggressive dance pop that really sounds unlike anything in Western music. Overdose is another fine example. It might not hit you strongly the first time, but it slowly works its way into your brain. The flashy, expensive-looking music video just seals the deal. Lots of English lyrics in this one, too.



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

Top 20 Albums Of 2013: 12-11

12. EXO - XOXO



I was a huge supporter of this Korean/Chinese band’s debut EP last year, and I was initially disappointed with the full album because I felt it lacked the dramatic bombast that I’d loved from them in the past. One reissue later and I realized that, once I let my expectations go, this was an excellent, soulful K-Pop album in its own right. Even so, I’m looking to see them back in my top ten once they rekindle a little bit of the magic found on last year’s EP.

11. Katy Perry - Prism



This is a tough one. I really wanted to be able to put it higher, because it is a good collection of expensive pop songs, but I wish it wasn’t so safe. Had she taken a risk and done something a little off kilter, I might regard this more as a pleasant pop album. That being said, “safe” Katy Perry is still miles above most pop stars, and I did love that melody was key throughout the album, even at the expense of risk-taking. I went off Roar pretty quickly, but the album’s latter half of midterm 90’s-esque jams, is surprisingly effective.

Top 50 Singles Of 2013: 35-31

35. Crayon Pop - Bar Bar Bar



In the wake of Gangnam Style, this was the next big novelty hit from Korea. And it couldn't have been catchier.

34. The Vamps - Can We Dance



Could've been released back in '06/'07 when the indie rock craze was all the rage in the UK. Would love more of this sound in the future.

33. EXO - Growl



This was the Korean boyband well and truly arriving. After an amazing 2012, this funky r&b stomper cemented their place as one of the biggest bands in Asia.

32. 2NE1 - Falling In Love 



In a year that saw far too few releases from these girls, their first comeback wormed its way into my head and became a Summer staple.

31. Robin - Haluan Sun Palaavan (I Want You To Return) 



The sound of this Finnish teen popstar maturing. A striking wintertime ballad that transcends the language barrier with a shot of emotion.

EXO - Lucky

Despite absolutely loving their debut EP last year, I wasn't really sold on EXO's 2013 full-length album. Too many ballads and midtempos. Over time, I've grown to like the single, Wolf, but have been even more won over by the album's re-release, with its awesome r&b single Growl. Beyond Growl, the re-release includes two new songs. Of both of them, Lucky is the truly awesome track. It's a full on dance production, which would sound completely at place on the stages of Melodifestivalen or Eurovision. There's something about it that just doesn't sound like most contemporary Korean music. That chorus melody smashes it... a sugar rush that screams Scandinavia even though there's no connection.



(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.

Exo -Wolf

Korea's Exo were one of the groups that really got me interested in K-Pop. There are boy and girls bands by the dozen in the genre, but I found that Exo-K's debut EP was really to my taste musically. I still find History and Mama to be stunning pieces of pop music. The main drawback of K-Pop, at least as I see it, is that it doesn't tend to be all that consistent. So many groups sound the same, which means it's more about the songs they're given by the producers/songwriters than it is about their individual talent. Obviously, that's not true with everyone (G-Dragon and PSY are two unique characters I can think of right off the bat), but I'm finding it to be the general rule. For Exo's comeback, they released the bizarre Wolf as their first single. It's a weird, WEIRD rap/dubstep hybrid with howls and everything. I really like the melodic parts (though they're few and far between) and the production is suitably dramatic, but I can't tell if this is going to grow on me or if it's just too cheesy to register. Only time will tell. It's certainly no Mama or History or even What Is Love. But the group has enough goodwill left over that I'm willing to give them a chance.



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

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 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 20 Albums Of 2012: 8-7

8. Carly Rae Jepsen - Kiss



Undoubtedly the poppiest on my pop countdown, I'm almost surprised an album this bubblegum was released by a bestselling artist. That's not at all a complaint, because the indelible melodies and expensive, expansive production make this a definite "guilty pleasure." Call Me Maybe was only the tip of the iceberg.

7. EXO-K - Mama



Worthy of its place if just for the opening three tracks, which span multiple genres but are uniformly awesome. The most exciting new K-Pop act of the year, mostly in the way the group's been packaged. I've professed my love for sci-fi influences in music before. Exo's image certainly fits the bill. Luckily, they've got more to offer than just style.

EXO-K - History

"I need you and you want me"

I find it so cool that PSY's ubiquitous (and honestly, awesome as hell) Gangnam Style could potentially become the first Korean song that hits number one in America. I mean, who ever thought we'd see a situation like this? The song's not even performed in English, which is a huge stumbling block in this country. K-Pop has a big cult following around the world, and rightly so. I'm not gonna pretend I'm an expert on the genre, but I am fascinated with it. I'm fascinated by the obvious polish and particularly the visual ambition of these South Korean groups. PSY's latest EP is definitely worth listening to, if just for the fantastic production alone, but I'm gonna highlight another act today. EXO-K is a Korean boyband, though they also have a Chinese equivalent who perform the same songs/routines (another fascinating idea). Think of them as South Korea's One Direction, though the styling and music couldn't be more different. Anyway, they're pretty damn good. The dramatic Mama, with its awesome video, is worth a look, but it's History that I can't get out of my head. One of its creators just happens to be Thomas Troelsen, of Private fame. That definitely explains a lot. Beyond that, though, the beat is just sick. Really funky. I don't care if I don't understand 95% of it. I love this.



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