October is over so I’m giving my quick takes on all of the debuts and comebacks we got from K-Pop!
I’m only sharing the debuts and comebacks I actually paid attention to and not every single one that happened in the month. So if a favorite artist of yours isn’t in here, tell me about them in a comment and I’ll check them out!
Debuts
Time Travel by Rhea
It’s fine. It isn’t super memorable or unique. It would have been nice if they had an actual music video but with their company being so small they weren’t able to have one. And I’ll admit that in my opinion, they needed an actual music video for a stronger debut. The girls have potential so we’ll see where they go.
bugAboo by bugAboo
I didn’t know what to expect with this group. I’m curious what elements from this concept will be the lasting ones for the group. As for this song specifically, I really like it! It’s fun and dancable.
Comebacks
The Feels by TWICE
Super fun and catchy with good lyrics. I’m impressed and pleased that they kept to their true concept and look with this song that is meant to attract international audiences. Of all the English-only tracks coming out, this is one of the best.
Savage by aespa
On first watch and listen, I can’t decide how I feel. It’s very clear they are the female NCT which I don’t love because I don’t want female NCT, I want aespa. It could grow on me with other listens but I don’t really have a desire to listen again. I will say it is better than Next Level and it shows off their skills really well. I have found when I listen to it separately from the video I like it more.
Will Make A Mistake by BLITZERS
It follows the growing trend of adding more rock elements and it works well. It fits with their previous music well while still being unique and standout on its own. I prefer their debut song personally, but this track is really good in its own ways.
DDARA by Golden Child
I’m pretty neutral about this comeback. It’s nothing special but it isn’t bad. The lack of uniqueness though is disappointing because any group could have done this song.
Madonna by LUNA
It’s not bad but also not the most standout new release. I was a little thrown off that there were so many scenes in the video where she wasn’t singing. Some scenes like that are fine and can make sense, but whole parts are a little weird.
Addicted by PIXY
Visually, this is amazing. It’s so cool and detailed and keeps you interested throughout. And the song is also really great. Compared to their last comeback, this one is much better and more interesting.
VENI VIDI VICI by CRAVITY
Cravity has shown a lot of diversity in concepts thus far, and I like this one the most thus far. It has more elegance without losing their usual tone. I don’t love the choreography and it isn’t as synchronized as it should have been. With the visuals very crisp and clean, the choreography should match.
GAIA by CRAXY
I didn’t expect this video to become a drama/action film halfway through but alright. I don’t really know why, but I’m guessing it has more to do with the full album and their concept than this one comeback. What gets me though is that the tone of the dramatic scenes is starkly contrasted with the song. The song’s tone doesn’t fit the rest. This is probably something their fans love but I’m just a little confused.
Tamed-Dashed by ENHYPEN
ENHYPEN doesn’t disappoint. I really love how their debut and comebacks are all unique, but they all still fit with their concept and music so well. The choreography is my favorite part of this comeback.
Go or Stop? by SUNMI
I really like the club tone of the music. It stands out compared to what else is coming out lately which I appreciate. The cyberpunk visuals are not new though and I didn’t understand how it had any correlation to the song.
Would You Run by TRI.BE
It is on par with the rest of TRI.BE’s music, so it wasn’t surprising and unique really. It’s a good song but I want to see them do something different. Also, the chorus shifts tonally a bit and makes it sound like a different song slightly which I don’t like.
strawberry moon by IU
I don’t really listen to IU ever because most of her music just isn’t my taste or wants musically. She’s of course an amazing vocalist, and this video is visually stunning. It’s a sweet song that I don’t mind, but I’m not going to add it to any playlists of mine since it’s just not my taste.
Rock with you by SEVENTEEN
It’s very fitting for Seventeen and what I can expect from them. I like the song and it does stand out from all the other comebacks I’ve heard this month. It’s energetic without being obnoxious and still having gentleness.
Favorite by NCT127
It fits what I expect from NCT127. The choreography has some weird parts though that honestly made me laugh. But overall it’s a decent comeback and a good song. I do think the vocal line in this really shines when usually the rap line is the main attraction, and it’s nice to have more attention on the vocalists.
Ghost by DreamNote
I like the song and that is the strongest part of this in my opinion. The spooky concept isn’t that stand out compared to what other girl groups are doing lately. It’s not bad, just not super unique.
Home alone by LUMINOUS
It’s fine. Standard ballad type track. I’m neutral about it, to be honest.
Fire Saturday by SECRET NUMBER
It’s okay but not special. This song could have been done by anyone and so many parts of this video remind me of other groups’ music videos, which doesn’t help it stand out at all. It’s just fine.
XOXO by JEON SOMI
The video is ridiculous and it’s hard to appreciate the song because of it. I’ll probably have to listen to it without the video to get an opinion on the song. But I’m not in a hurry to do so cause it’s just not my preference tonally.
Cold Blooded by Jessi
Jessi isn’t an artist I listen to basically ever, since I’m not super into rap. But I do like this video specifically and how it was so simple yet so powerful. The focus on the dancing was a good choice and was the reason I watched it completely. Of course, Jessi herself is badass, evident in her short appearance here and the song itself. But the dancing is what I found most interesting.
VIVACE by LIGHTSUM
Musically, it’s a standard girl group track. It’s almost formulaic in how its structure is so similar to other groups’ songs. It reminded me of TWICE honestly. That isn’t a bad thing necessarily, and the song is fun and catchy, but it doesn’t make them unique.
Close to Me by BLACKSWAN
I don’t know what prison has to do with this song and it really just reminded me of other concepts like OOOM by 3YE and even Butter by BTS. The song is fun and more unique than other comebacks released this month. But I want a little more and something special from them.
Black Crown by KINGDOM
KINGDOM’s concept always impresses me. The visuals are always so stunning and over the top in the best way. Now for the song, I do prefer their debut and previous comebacks more, but this is still a good track. It’s just missing something, specifically in the chorus. The chorus needs a boost to differentiate it from the verses.
Do 4 Me by EPEX
It’s a decent song and has personality. It’s fun and energetic but isn’t super unique. Like LIGHTSUM’s comeback, this feels a bit formulaic.
What new music have you been enjoying this month, K-pop or not? Tell me about it with a comment!
