Another month is at its end which means another month of new K-Pop to check out. So I’m giving my quick takes on all of the debuts and comebacks we got this month!
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!
SHALALA by Taeyong
This whole concept and style is so very Taeyong, so it can’t really be described as anything but perfect for him. That said, I like the song, but I think it is one that will grow on me with more listens. It’s fun and groovy, but I don’t have a deeper opinion or love than that.
Ready to Move by REN
REN is a former member of NU’EST making his solo debut. The song is fun and catchy, but if he didn’t have his previous notoriety I don’t know how successful this would be as a debut. It’s fine, but not as wow-ing as it should be in my opinion.
Wild Heart by LUN8
A very fun debut. I didn’t have expectations going in, but they still managed to defy any preconceptions I could have. I’ve already added the song to my playlist.
Voyager by LUN8
LUN8 debuted with not one but two title tracks. This one in particular feels more trendy and what I’d expect from new debuts as of late. That isn’t a bad thing, and the song is good, but I don’t enjoy it as much as Wild Heart.
Paradise by Jay (iKon)
This style of song has been one of my favorites recently, so I really enjoy the song. His voice works really well with it.
Over the Rainbow by Hi-Fi Un!corn
When I saw the name of this group, I was not expecting a boy group let alone an actual, instrument playing band. Nor was I expecting that, after all of that, I would actually enjoy it. But it’s very catchy and pleasant to listen to and I would listen to it again.
Move by Treasure (T5)
YG’s Treasure debuts their first subunit with this release. And I have to be honest and say that this song would have been amazing performed by someone else. Their vocals just weren’t strong enough or what I think fit this style the best. Monsta X for example would have killed this song. It’s not great for one group’s release be described as better by someone else. The song itself is great, but could have been mindblowing.
Body Shake by Bunny.T
It’s a cute song and vibe. It definitely needs more promotion if it is going to have any impact since it doesn’t necessarily stand out enough on its own, especially since they are a small company group.
S-Class by Stray Kids
I actually shared my thoughts on this whole album already, but I’ll add some extra thoughts here, particularly about the video. First off, I really enjoy the song and appreciate how they played around more with different beats and genres and didn’t strictly sick to the SKZ formula. As for the video, my frank thought while watching was “What the hell is happening?” and not in a fun way like with Case 143. This was just chaotic without reason it seems, which isn’t bad but I don’t think helps the song at all.
Die for love by B.I ft. Jessi
I’m starting this quick take off with annoyance over the overcomplication of a “music video”. Frankly, there isn’t one because instead he released a series of videos that basically made a short film and frankly I was too confused and just wanted to hear the song so I skipped all of that. Moving on to my thoughts on the actual song. Generally, it is fine. I don’t love it, nor do I like it as much as some of his previous releases. I also don’t like Jessi’s inclusion. Her voice just doesn’t fit for me, at least how it was utilized. Maybe if she had a bridge rap or something it would have been better. Honestly, the only thing I like is the instrumental. Long story short, I’m not a big fan of the song and I don’t think it is good enough to justify the amount of pomp and circumstance that went into the comeback.
#menow by fromis_9
I actually really liked this song and even the video. And I am hard-pressed to really enjoy a music video, but it pairs well with the song and the overall energy it wants to showcase. I can easily listen to this song again. This is my new favorite fromis_9 song.
What Do I Do by MXFRUIT
MXFRUIT is a Thai girl group I recently discovered. Although I don’t usually gravitate toward songs like this, I have to admit I was a bit entranced by their amazing vocals. Such a beautiful song performed so well.
Juliet by AleXa
This might sound weird, but it kind of reminds of a country song. But like early Taylor Swift country, which I did enjoy when I was younger. And I do like this song, and I enjoy when AleXa does more ballad-like music since she is usually very dance-focused girl crush, but I don’t think I can say I feel anything more than a small like for this particular song.
The Feeling by SHINee
This is such a lovely anniversary song for them, and I enjoy the positive energy it has. It makes me feel like we have some good times comibg with SHINee now that they are back together fully.
Take Two by BTS
This song is like a warm hug from a loved one you haven’t seen in a while. It is so comforting and I love all the references to other songs of theirs in it. It is such a nice gift from them for their 10th anniversary.
Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers) by Ateez
I shared my initial thoughts on the song when I reviewed the album, but I wanted to talk about the music video here. First off, it is so chaotic in a way that fully fits Ateez. And what I mainly wanted to talk about was the parrot. Why is there a singing parrot in this Western-themed video? I have no idea, but it made me laugh.
Pop Star by MCND
It’s a fun, upbeat song. It’s easy to enjoy but isn’t anything we haven’t heard before in some semblance. They do a great job when they switch up the beat so it doesn’t sound so painfully abrupt and ill-fitting.
Kick It 4 Now by The New Six (TNX)
This song is pleasant to listen to. I wouldn’t mind listening to it again, but I don’t think I’ll go out of my way to do so.
Diamond by HashTag
Everything about this song is not my style. And the video is pointless since it’s just video of them at a photoshoot. I can’t say the song is good or bad without being biased, so I’ll just rate it neutrally and you can decide for yourself how you feel about it.
Let Me In by EXO
I’ll be honest and say that if this track is supposed to get me excited for their comeback, it doesn’t. It’s a good song, makes a solid b-side, and if this track released the video after the official comeback as a secondary single it would be better. As a pre-release though, it doesn’t do much for me as a non-EXO-L. I also don’t intend to listen to this again if I’m honest. It’s a solid song, so I’ll rate focused on that, but I just don’t think it succeeds as a pre-release specifically.
Hear Me Out by EXO
Our second EXO offering of the month is comparatively more upbeat, but that is kind of a stretch. It’s very groovy and generally a good song. But I wouldn’t say I like it necessarily. I’m more neutral about it then anything.
Designer by VAV
It’s nice to see VAV back. I enjoy the song, particularly the Latin influence. It’s not the most mind-blowing song out there, but I enjoy it.
I Need Love by DKB
A very pleasant song that I’ll listen to again for sure. I don’t have much else to say about it.
Firework by &Team
&TEAM doesn’t get enough promotion, especially for a HYBE group. They have such good songs like this one that just don’t get as much love as they should. I will say that, while I really like this song, I do slightly prefer their previous release. All of their music thus far is great thought.
Yummy by Sia Jiwoo
It’s a fun song for sure, perfect for summer, and she radiates energy and personality that’s great for a soloist. This might become a song I get tired of easily if heard too much though.
LUV LUV Luv by GreatGuys
I am glad they came back with a stronger comeback. They do the brighter concepts better than darker it seems. The song itself is pretty generic though and also felt really short.
Who’s Next by Lapillus
I like the song, mainly because it falls right into the style I enjoy most especially from girl groups. The chorus is definitely the strongest part of the song, while the verses are weaker and not as memorable. It’s a solid comeback, but I want them to know break the mold of their previous releases and try something new.
SOS by Kang Daniel
He really wanted to get very cinematic with this concept. It’s very Mad Max. My one complaint is that I spent most of my time paying attention to the video and not the song. Especially since in parts they overlayed sound effects over the track, so it almost feels like the song (which sounds amazing from what I focused on) is secondary. This concept does make me want to go check out the whole album so it did it’s job in the end.
Broken Melodies by NCT Dream
This is probably the first NCT Dream song that I really love. I like other songs, but they were the subunit I listened to the least. But this song really hit a sweet spot for me. The video fits the overall mood well too.
Overdrive by I.M
The only time I listen to this genre of music is within K-Pop, since it’s just not my style when listening to western music. But it is undeniable how well this style fits I.M. I don’t know if I’d go out of my way to listen to this song again, but I have to rate it high because it just sounds so perfect for him.
HARD by SHINee
SHINee is finally, and permanently, back. This song is not what I expected from them to be honest. This song sounds like an NCT song. That’s not to say that SHINee doesn’t perform this song well, because the definitely do. It just sounds too much like a different group and not enough like SHINee. I want to love it, but I can’t get passed the thought that maybe it would be better done by NCT.
Queen by We;Na
It’s fine. I don’t have much desire to give the song another listen. I also think the video could do without the dance shots filmed on a soundstage because they look cheap in comparison to the real-world set scenes.
Wicked Love by YENA
It’s no secret that I enjoy darker concepts, particularly with female artists, so Yena having done such a dramatic switch from her bubbly debut to this is ideal for me. As for this song specifically, I really enjoy it. I like how the video is more of a performance video style so we can focus on the song and overall vibe. It definitely makes me intrigued for the rest of the comeback.
Hate Rodrigo by Yena ft. Yuqi ((G)I-DLE)
Speaking of the rest of the comeback, this is the actual title track. And I am conflicted about it. Diss track or not (which it isn’t), I don’t like the blatant use of Olivia Rodrigo in the song. It’s not even subtle or something we can infer, just actual posters of the western singer (which had to be removed due to copyright infringement) and references to her musician the lyrics. For me, it’s pretty tasteless and feels like a publicity stunt instead of a good title track. Yena has done better, within this month even, so I wish we just didn’t have this song at all.
Excel by 8TURN
If you give me a powerful boy group track, I’m probably going to like it. And this comeback isn’t an exception. It’s a solid edition to this concept.
Dive Into by HanSeungWoo (Victon)
I’ve been trying to listen to more soloists, which led me to HanSeungWoo who is a member of Victon. His voice is perfect for this particular genre. I quickly added this song to my playlist and now want to listen to more of his solo music, so if that isn’t a successful comeback I don’t know what is.
Touch+ by tripleS +(KR)ystal Eyes
This genre isn’t my style, so I’m already leaning towards not necessarily enjoying it from the start. It isn’t bad, but just falls outside of personal preference, so it makes it unfair to rate given my own bias.
The Wonderful Escape by UKISS
It is so dramatically upbeat and I can’t think of another way to describe this song. That isn’t a negative by the way, but the one way I could explain my view of it.
House on a Hill by Eric Nam
I honestly don’t listen to enough Eric Nam. I have enjoyed everything I have listened to, this song included, yet I haven’t gone deeper into his discography. Maybe this is my sign to finally do so.
4:ever by Team 24
I talked about the show Peak Time before and how one of the competing teams was formed by former idols of different groups. That team is Team 24 and they have released a new song. I hope this means that they will be sticking together and re-debuting together. This song is definitely either a thank you and goodbye song for fans or a thank you and we’re sticking around, and I hope it is the latter. I’m not going to rate it since it is a fan song, which feels like a gift to fans that shouldn’t be judged. I just hope we’ll get more from them soon.
Coconut by NiziU
This is the truest summer track to release thus far and I am surprised it took this long to get one. I wish the chorus had something in the instrumental to really make it stand out more and special in the song. Just a little more pop, especially in the final chorus before the closing part. It doesn’t have to be big and bombastic, but just a little more oomph would have been nice.
Overdrive by WEi
It’s a fun song that I enjoyed listening to and would listen to again. Nothing groundbreaking but nothing terrible.
Girl Gvng by XG
XG never misses! My only complaint is that I wish it was longer, but it is the perfect taste of what is to come with their full comeback. Also, the music video budget must be through the roof because that was a full sci-fi blockbuster film in under two minutes.
Lilith (Diablo IV Anthem) by Halsey & SUGA
A little context for this particular track. Lilith is an existing song by Halsey, but she and Suga made a collab version for the video game Diablo IV. This is definitely darker and more epic sounding than the original, which is logical given the context. I admittedly got a little starstruck when Suga appeared, mainly because I didn’t expect him to come in singing. Overall, I like this version a lot more than the original. And I always love when Halsey and Suga/BTS collab.
What new music have you been enjoying this month, K-pop or not? Tell me about it with a comment!
I’m in love with Taeyong’s album, it portrays him so well. 💖
BTS’ take two, on the other hand, has a special place in my heart. 💜