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.

Top 50 Singles of 2015: 20-16

20. Infinite - Dilemma



For their first original Japanese release, the guys gifted us an aggressive, rock-infused pop track with a wicked guitar breakdown.

19. Teen Top - ah ah



At first it may seem underwhelming, but something about that summer sound works its way in your brain and sticks there.

18. Seventeen - Adore U



The year's best debut -- a giant candy-coated mixture of pop and hip-hop and big, boisterous production.

17. HIGH4 - D.O.A. (Dead Or Alive) 



Switching between genres for a year now, the guys finally settled on something that really does them justice -- a dark, dynamic dance track.

16. GOT7 - If You Do 



GOT7 had a big year, and this moody, melodic single was yet another breakthrough for them.

Top Albums and Mini-Albums of 2015: Number 5

ALBUMS

5. Carly Rae Jepsen - Emotion



It would have been so easy for Carly to rest on her one-hit-wonderdom, but instead she came back with this perfect collection of candy-coated pop brilliance. For such a lengthy album, the quality level is remarkably high. Gem after gem floats by, sounding like lost number one hits from the 80's, all delivered with Carly's undeniable pop voice. It's a special feat that not enough people heard this year. This is the stuff that should be ruling American radio.

MINI ALBUMS

5. GOT7 - Mad



GOT7 released two mini albums this year, and although Just Right had the better title track, I think I prefer the more melodic Mad. This group is proving themselves as a go-to for solid albums, in a market where that's not always a necessity. What I like most (and what some have begrudged) is that they're willing to experiment with their sound with each album. I think the switch between upbeat, hip-hop inspired pop and melodic, moody material keeps them interesting.

GOT7 - If You Do

With each new release, I've become a bigger and bigger fan of GOT7 (and it certainly helped seeing them live in LA this summer). Generally, I prefer their more upbeat, positive stuff, which is why A and Just Right are my two favorite singles they've released. If You Do is much darker in tone and style, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The production is incredibly smooth and the vocals filled with angst. I particularly adore the repeated 80's synths that open the track. Weirdly enough, I loved the song on first listen, but wasn't quite sure about it for a little while after. Then today, on my eighth (or so) listen, it all clicked. It's nice to see that the guys can pull off a different sound. I hope their next single is back to the fun times, but this is a nice little melodic break.


(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!)

GOT7 - Just Right

With each release, I've fallen more and more in love with GOT7's music. I was a little late to the party, skipping past their debut in early 2014, but then I became absolutely obsessed with last summer's A (still their best song). Then, group member Jackson joined my favorite (and sadly cancelled) Korean variety show, Roommate, and... well if you've watched any of Jackson's variety shows, you'll know that he's pretty much impossible to dislike. Last fall, the group released the supremely underrated and fantastic Identify album, and I've been waiting for a follow-up ever since. The weird thing about GOT7 is that they release totally different types of songs each time they comeback. Just Right seems to be a hybrid of the skeletal hip-hop of their debut Girls Girls Girls, and the summer-time, melodic pop of A. It's got an incredible hook, with a clever, relaxing melody and one of the best music videos of the year. While I was hoping for something a little more uptempo and in-your-face for the summer, I really can't help but adore what we ended up getting. It's quite an unusual, oddball pop song but it makes you feel oh so good.

Top 50 Singles of 2014: 10-6

10. Kliff - Mun Jopo



I just couldn't get enough of this strange pop trifle this year. It's a hybrid of hip hop, dubstep, and even choral elements in the middle eight. That beat is an absolute sledgehammer. It's hard not to lose it every time it kicks in during the hook.

9. The Madden Brothers - We Are Done



I'm a sucker for bright, summertime harmonies. I would've never expected the Good Charlotte guys to be on my countdown, let alone in the top ten, but this is just a perfectly written, classic pop song.

8. 2NE1 - Come Back Home



The girls do it again, with a galvanizing blend of East and West, pop and trap, and one of the year's most soaring hooks. A deserved smash.

7. B1A4 - Solo Day 



Who would've expected K-pop and summer beach pop to be such a great mix? This has to be the year's ultimate feel good track, especially when those kaleidoscopic harmonies bust in towards the end.

6. GOT7 - A 



A real sense of groove is hard to find in mainstream pop music these days, especially as electronica continues to take over. But, this track boasts one of the year's funkiest, smoothest beats. It doesn't even sound like it's trying, and that's what makes it so addictive.

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

GOT7 - A

"I know you want me"

I don't know why I initially slept on this song. I think it's because GOT7's debut track earlier this year was a little underwhelming, and they're from JYP, which is my least favorite of the big three Korean agencies (although I love its president, Park Jin-young). Jin-young wrote this track, and it's pretty evident because it has that soulful, addictive beat and feel to it that characterizes the best of his music. It's a ridiculously catchy single, and the seven (!) band members carry it off perfectly. I particularly love the music video, which reminds me of an old musical or something. If this was in English, it could easily be a big hit in the States. Either way, it should feature prominently on your summer playlist.



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