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!
Siren by RIIZE
It’s very NCT-esque which makes sense since they are the same company. But ultimately we want something different when a new group debuts. We’ll have to wait and see what their actual debut showcases, which I hope gives them their own style.
Memories by RIIZE
What I like most about this song is that it doesn’t sound like an NCT title track. It feels more unique to them and I enjoy that. And I actually don’t hate the genre changes for once! This would have been a great debut song, so it being a pre-release hopefully means their actual debut will be amazing.
Unbeatable by TIOT
This release succeeds at making me interested to see what they will release once they officially debut.
Love Me Again by V (BTS)
This man really came out of nowhere with his solo stuff. This was the first release and it really made me excited to see what else we were going to get. V’s voice fits the style so well and I love the relaxed vibe of the song.
Rainy Days by V (BTS)
So the first time I watched and listened to this song, I zoned out. It just has that sound and vibe that you want to chill and take a mental break from the world for a wild. I dig the lo-fi sound and this fits V so well. I want more of this sound in K-Pop.
One More Time by BB Girls
Since they changed names I decided to put them under debut since they are technically debuting as a new group. After switching companies, you’d think there would be some sort of bigger change. But this doesn’t seem much different, or better, than what they’ve released previously. It’s not bad but it’s boring and I don’t have any desire to listen to it again after this one time.
Wormhole: New Track by n.SSign
n.SSign really said spooky season starts now. I’m here for it because I’ve been getting a little tired of summer songs. It is so different from what they released before and every other debut recently, and I commend them for that. This isn’t really a song I see myself casually listening to though, but I am all about the sound and concept.
Killin’ Me Good by Jihyo
I have been waiting for Jihyo to make a solo debut and I am so, so happy she’s done it. The song suits her vocals so well and I honestly think she could make even the worst song be amazing because she is that good of an artist. Thankfully the song is good so we get to simply enjoy her talent.
A.I.BAE by LE’V
LE’V was a contestant on Boys Planet for some context as to where he came from. I like the song and it is a decent debut track, but I do think it could have gone harder and been really impactful.
TGIF by XG
This is definitely a club song that isn’t meant to be serious. Like I can see a drag queen lip-syncing to this song. It accomplishes its goal of being a fun club song. However, I do find it lyrically stupid, so I don’t love the song. It’s my least favorite XG title track so far, mainly because they have had nothing but bangers before this. I don’t hate TGIF, I just don’t love it nor plan on listening to it a lot.
Lip Gloss by The Boyz
It’s catchy and perfect for the summer. I don’t care for the video mainly because the concept is one of my least favorite ones, but I do enjoy the song outside of the video.
Blue by XEED
It’s fine. I wish the beat changed up a little more for the chorus because it sounds a little flat to me. It’s just missing a little oomph for me.
DO or DIE by xikers
A chaotic song needs a chaotic video and they definitely gave us that. I’m glad that this comeback gave them their own sound so they didn’t sound like Ateez 2.0. I support their concept being chaotic fun so hopefully, we get more like this.
The Flash by Kwon Eunbi
Her vocals sound really nice in this song. Beyond that, I don’t have much of an opinion. I like the song, I’d listen to it again, but I don’t have any strong feeling about the song.
Turn it off by NINE.i
The song and the visuals just don’t go together at all. And of the two, I much prefer the visuals. I got one minute into the song I was done.
Planet by BXB
It’s fine. It’s been done before and I don’t particularly want more songs and concepts like this personally.
MAD by ABLUE
Something was missing in both video and song that would have made me really like the track. The video needed a plot and them doing actions with purpose so it didn’t feel as cheap as it honestly does. The song sounds a bit shallow and like the members don’t enjoy singing it.
Madeleine by Limelight
I like it, but I don’t like it as much as I do some of their other songs.
Fast Forward by Jeon Somi
I wasn’t vibing with Somi’s most recent releases, but this song fills that early 2010s club vibe that defined my music taste as a teenager to be honest. It gives me early Ellie Goulding and pop stars collaborating with DJs, and I’m totally down for more music like this.
Taxi by Jo Yuri
It’s a fun song. I like the verses better than the chorus. The piano and drum beat are fun and make me want to dance. The chrous changes vibes to me and I just like it less.
Stupid Cupid by Aylah
Can we make this the trending Cupid-themed song now? I honestly like it better. Her vocals are so pleasant to listen to and this vibe fits her well.
DUBI DUBI by ARTBEAT v
Something is missing for me. I need punchier vocals from at least one of them. They all sound a bit too soft for the chorus/post-chorus. The instrumental could be a bit harder in parts as well. I want this song to have more energy than it does.
Heartbeat by TAN
I don’t have much of an opinion on this one. I enjoy the song and will probably listen to it again.
Don’t Leave Yet by Eric Nam
I don’t listen to a lot of Eric Nam, but I’m trying to change that. And what do I do? Get distracted by the lead girl because I recognized her as one of Kyle Hanagami’s frequent dancers (Haley Fitzgerald). And Kyle ends up being the choreographer so makes sense. Long story short, I had to watch the video twice to get past that. I really like the song and the choreography fits it so well. The vibes of the video fit the song so well. This became my favorite release of the month.
Outlaw by BZ-Boys
I continue to stand on my soapbox and demand that more people check out BZ-Boys. Outlaw is different for them, but still works for them well especially vocally.
Bubble by STAYC
It’s a fitting STAYC song, being bubbly (pun intended) and bright. It’s not my favorite song of theirs since I find previous releases to have more personality.
What’s Up? by ADYA
It sounds like a children’s song, and as an almost-30-something, I don’t want to listen to children’s songs. Not going to rate it or listen to more than the one minute I did cause it is just so very not for me.
Girls Capitalism by tripleS LOVElution
This video had a knack for making me ask myself “what am I watching?” Ignoring the video, the song sounds fun and like an enjoyable listen.
Ice Cream by TFN
This is such an improvement from the last couple of releases from them and I’m so happy for that because wow their last couple of comebacks were awful. They also look like they enjoy this song more.
Better Things by aespa
This is the first aespa song in a while that I really enjoyed listening to at first listen. Their vocals sound lovely and it’s an overall pleasant listen.
Slay by Everglow
I am very happy that Everglow is finally back with new music. And I do like this song, but it certainly isn’t the best we’ve ever gotten from Everglow. It is a bit watered down for them actually and is ultimately forgettable.
Rowdy by Sorn ft. Seungyeon
I don’t hate it, but I’m not exactly loving it either. I think the best way to explain what I think is that I respect it for being different and not a track you’d see an idol do. Sorn likes to be an anti-idol on her music and I respect that and have enjoyed it previously. But i’m just not feeling this song.
Performer by Vanner
I was looking forward to this release in particular since Vanner is now under the new company after winning Peak Time. I like the song, but, for me, the chorus doesn’t live up to the build up we got before it. If it did, I would love the song.
Picture by HYO
This is going to sound odd, but this song feels like a palette cleanser from all of the bubbly, bright, and youthful girl group songs we’ve been getting since NewJeans became popular. Sometimes I just want a gritty and sexy song by a woman, and Hyo delivered.
New Dance by XG
It’s a fun, catchy summer song. It’s meant to be an easy listen and it succeeds at it. I like it more than TGIF, but not as much as their girl crush concepts.
Homeboy by xikers
This might sound controversial, but I think the reason they made this a title track along with Do or Die is because this is the more conventionally acceptable sounding song. It doesn’t make it a bad song, but I don’t think it needs to be a title track even if alongside another one. This song, to me, is a solid b-side.
Starlight by Secret Number
It’s not a bad song, but I don’t like it. It wants to be trendy and I’m tired of the trends it’s using, so I found it boring.
Golden Age by NCT U
They really had me in the beginning thinking it would be a mellow ballad, which is so not NCT it would have been weird. I’m glad we got mix of their harder side that we’re all familiar with and then letting the vocalists shine with something more nostalgic sounding. Since it is the song that has all of them in it, having this blended sound works well.
Baggy Jeans by NCT U
You put Ten and Taeyong together and I’ll be happy. Mark is also a plus. Now do I love the song? No, but it’s nowhere near as bad as 2 Baddies from 127. I see why they made this one of the two title tracks since it is energetic and has NCT edge in it.
You’re Beautiful by The Rose
This isn’t a song style I’d expect from The Rose, but I’m not complaining. Woosung’s voice could sing anything and it would be magical to be honest. Dojoon’s as well. Such a pleasant song to relax to as well.
Smooth Sailing by cignature
Another lighthearted summery song. I honestly got distracted while watching and didn’t pay much attention to it. It’s pleasant enough where if it came on I wouldn’t be bothered.
Synchronize by X:IN
I liked their debut better. They both have the same energy, but Keeping the Fire is a better song comparatively. I think they have some work to do to become a long-standing group worth paying attention to.
SEOUL (Such a Beautiful City) by H1-KEY
It’s an enjoyable song. I expected the video would have done more to show Seoul, even just landmarks. They could have made a really fun video doing that, especially with this effervescent song. I was expecting another generic summer song so I was pleasantly surprised with the song.
Social Path by Stray Kids ft. LiSA
I’m pretty bad at keeping up with Japanese releases except for when it comes to Stray Kids. There was a lot of hype going into this one since LiSA is a very well-known Japanese singer, often being the vocals of anime intros. I’ll be honest and say her portion is, in my opinion, inconsequential to whether the song is good or not. Her part could have been done by Seungmin or I.N and still been fitting. It’s still a great song that was promptly added to my playlist, I just don’t find LiSA’s contribution necessary.
What new music have you been enjoying this month, K-pop or not? Tell me about it with a comment!