Top 50 Singles of 2015: 10-6

10. Wonder Girls - I Feel You



By hearkening back to the 80's, Wonder Girls released one of the most surprising (and best) singles of their career. Just try to resist that synth riff.

9. Infinite - Bad



Working with producer Rphabet again, the guys went for a darker, more hip-hop inspired sound, but didn't forget the drama in the process.

8. GOT7 - Just Right



One of the most unique singles in k-pop this year, a bouncy summertime bop that grew more addictive each time I heard it. It's laidback, feel-good pop done right.

7. News - Kaguya 



Unabashedly cheesy, but unlike so many tracks that opted for a skeletal beat instead of a proper chorus, Kaguya erupted in a full-bodied, massive chorus.

6. EXO - Love Me Right 



Their highest entry since their year of debut, it's also their most propulsive, poppy release in years. MJ would be proud.

EXO - Lightsaber

I never thought K-Pop and Star Wars would combine, but I guess Disney knows what it's doing in terms of international outreach, because they paired with Korea's biggest group for a themed track. Now, a short clip of a 2012-ish EXO demo called Lightsaber has been available for some time, but it's unclear whether or not this is the same song. When I first heard it, I groaned at the inevitable dubstep chorus with one-word repetition, but I've grown to really love the song. It's definitely not proper, full-fledged comeback quality, but as an unexpected treat it's shown a lot more staying power on my playlist than I'd anticipated it would after my first listen. The verses are especially catchy.



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K-Pop Halloween: Day Two

In the infancy of this blog, I used to post a lot of Halloween-themed songs during the month of October. After a few years, that feature started to dwindle a bit. After all, there are only so many Halloween songs out there! But, to better reflect the changing tastes of the blog, I thought it would be fun to feature some Halloween-related tracks from Korea (and maybe one from Japan). Halloween isn't big in Korea, but I like to think these horror-themed songs could stand right alongside Thriller or Monster Mash!

VIXX - Voodoo Doll
Many of Vixx's title tracks are suitable for Halloween, since they basically made their name on edgy horror-themed images and intense tracks. This is probably the creepiest, with its bloody video and dark atmosphere, but make sure you check out Hyde too.



EXO - Wolf
Certainly not their best single, and definitely the cheesiest, but the gargantuan hooks and insistent wolf howls make this perfect for a Halloween party.

Exo - Love Me Right

Unexpectedly, Exo's new single has become my most played track of the past couple of weeks. I say this because, as much as I enjoyed Call Me Baby, it was still a little underwhelming as a comeback after a full year. I had little expectations for Love Me Right, and maybe that's what's made it have such staying power on my playlist. I also think that, as immaculately produced as the song is, it just has an easier, more organic vibe to it than any of Exo's singles since Growl. It's definitely on the funkier (ie: Michael Jackson pastiche) side of SM's output, and fits perfectly with the summer. Although Growl was their big breakthrough, I still don't think Exo have ever bettered Mama, their dynamite debut mini album from 2012. Love Me Right feels like a successor to that album's second single, History, which was one of the songs that initially got me interested in k-pop. I love this sound for them. It's just fun, without the weight of a more serious, corporately-driven "event" single.



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

EXO - Call Me Baby

Expectations can be so irritating. Being a pop music fanatic has its drawbacks, and one of them is that I always place unrealistic expectations on soon-to-be-released songs or albums by artists I like. So many times, these expectations are impossible to meet and I wind up being initially disappointed in a release only to backtrack a day or two later and realize that the song or album is actually quite good… just different than I had set it up in my mind. Such is the case with EXO. Now, EXO is not my favorite K-Pop group, but they were my first. And they’re also (arguably) the most globally successful Korean group of the moment. So, when they release something new, I sit up and pay attention. While the new album as a whole is solid, if a little slow/boring, the single (Call Me Baby) is fantastic. But it did take me a couple of days to get used to. It has a lighter, less experimental feel than most of the band’s singles, and was initially jarring because of this. I dig the Michael Jackson influence as usual, but I'm also (strangely) feeling a bit of an 'Nsync Pop-era influence. This seemed like a step back for the group at first, but now I'm kind of loving it. Call Me Baby won’t end up being my favorite single of theirs, and I bet the inevitable repackage track will be even better, but at least one of the big dogs of K-Pop has finally released something new this year. I hope it opens the floodgates for all of the other A-Level acts to come back.



(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: 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!