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. This may also include releases from J-Pop, T-Pop, P-Pop, and global groups as well. So if a favorite artist of yours isn’t in here, tell me about them in a comment and I’ll check them out!
Bad Reputation by JINI
Jini, a former member of NMIXX, is making her solo debut this month with this being a pre-release. I like the song, but as many have said it sounds too much like a Taylor Swift song but without the strong enough vocals. I wasn’t really feeling her singing voice with this song, so hopefully the actual debut song is better.
3 stars
Underwater by Chuu
Chuu, formerly from Loona, is gearing up for her solo debut with this pre-release song. Her voice is quite lovely and sounds great with this song. It’s an interesting song for a pre-release and it makes me wonder what the true title track will be. It’s a lovely song and from all the post-Loona debuts, is the most unique from their original concept.
4 stars
C’mon by JINI ft. Amine
Now for Jini’s actual debut. This song fits her vocals much better than the pre-release does. There is a lot of autotune on her voice though, which works with the song as an artistic choice. I’ll have to listen to her sing it live to know how she really sounds with the song. As for the rap feature, it’s fine. I’d prefer if debuts didn’t have additional people on them, but the rap works nicely to give us some tonal change.
3.5 stars
Invincible by tripleS EVOLution (Subunit)
This is tripleS’s fifth subunit debut, in case you’ve lost track like I have. In my opinion, they should have really established tripleS as a whole before having five subunits, especially when they reference another subunit within this song. They all sound exactly the same in this song, which does not make it interesting to listen to. The song itself is rather interesting, but I dislike the vocals more.
2 stars
First Class by 82Major
It’s enjoyable and a fine debut. There isn’t anything remarkable or noteworthy about it, so they still have a ways to go to gain popularity. But I’ll keep an eye on them since I did like the song.
3 stars
Dazzling by POW
I don’t hate it, but I’m not excited about the song either. I personally found the song a little boring, especially for a debut. Kudos to them for doing something different, but it doesn’t interest me.
3 stars
Iconic by STARSEED’Z
So this is an interesting group. They are a new international group following the idol system (like XG for example) but are based in France. They are ethnically a variety including Hmong, Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai. This isn’t a bad start for them. I do think that some members are stronger than others. The rappers are much stronger than the vocalists, and their parts of the song I like better. While this is a decent start, there is a lot of room for improvement.
2 stars
Howl by Chuu
This song style also fits her vocals so well. It’s lowkey and lovely, and the video pairs well with it. Also, I’m glad that we’re not just re-treading Loona concepts with her, unlike her former members.
4 stars
Macaroni Cheese by Young Posse
What a weird song. Apparently, some of the members were co-writers for the song. It definitely stands out amongst a lot of the other debuts in the fifth gen. It’s a song that could likely go viral and get lots of attention, but I can’t personally wrap my head around a strong opinion for it.
3 stars
Discord by QWER
This group is a weird mix of idols and a rock band to me so I have no idea what to think. I don’t think their company knows what to do with them either. I’m not saying they have to have the stereotypical rockstar image, but having their singer dancing along awkwardly as if trying to be an idol was just weird. And I don’t love the song. I feel like I’ve heard it hundreds of times.
1 star
Hands Up by NCT New Team
The newest, and allegedly last, NCT group has finally debuted. This is the Japanese group that has been teased for a while. It’s a solid track that has the NCT flair.
4 stars
HEARTRIS by NiziU (Korean Debut)
I was definitely distracted by seeing Felix from Stray Kids in the video, which is made additionally distracting that he gets replaced by and animated version of himself for the whole second half. I will say that they fact they were after the keychain and not the boy was a clever twist on a concept I don’t enjoy. The song specifically is fine. It fits NiziU and is a decent Korean debut, but nothing outstanding.
4 stars
Fly High (Thumbelina) by Girl’s World
I know this concept and song style is very popular, but it’s just not for me. There was nothing exceptional about the song or video to make them stand out from every other girl group that has done this concept.
3 stars
Love Effect by ONF
There were some nice moments and the song is pleasant. I don’t think it is anything mind-blowing or significantly noteworthy, but I wouldn’t be offended if it came on randomly somewhere.
3.5 stars
Full Metal Jacket by EPEX
What an interesting song. The chorus in particular stands out since it wasn’t what I was anticipating based on the build-up from the verses. This is a song that I’ll have to listen to a few time to really solidify an opinion for it. But I commend them for doing something different and unique.
4 stars
Fact Check by NCT 127
This is one of their least experimental-sounding songs but still fits them so well. I like the beat a lot and it actually makes me interested in what the rest of the album sounds like.
4 stars
Off the record by IVE
I kind of like it but it sounds familiar in the sense that its been done a few times before. It’s song structuring reminds me of Twice songs, and I think Twice would have even sounded great and better than IVE. IVE’s vocals are fine but there isn’t any that sound particularly special or strong and that makes this song in particular fall flat for me.
3 stars
I Want That by (G)I-DLE
I’m mostly going to ignore the video for this because I barely understood what was happening and how it had anything to do with the song. I’m obsessed with the chorus and the beat. The whole song is great really and was quickly added to my playlist.
4 stars
Medusa by Just B
I’m mostly going to ignore the video, because what a water shortage has to do with anything is beyond me. Also I just got mildly distracted by knowing where they filmed all of the desert scenes since I live in that area. On to the song. I do like the song, but it felt like it was missing something. The instrumental needed some more variety to make it more dynamic. But as is, I’d still listen again.
4 stars
RA TA TA by Ailee ft. Lil Cherry
I’ve been enjoying the Y2K-influenced club music we’re starting to get. But I think the Ailee’s vocals aren’t the most fitting for this specific song in my opinion. I was left wanting. And I can do without Lil Cherry’s part entirely. as I didn’t like her vocals at all. I really wanted to like this song, but it just didn’t work for me.
2.5 stars
HANA by INI
Bringing in a little J-Pop into this month’s quick takes with some new INI. I like the nostalgic quality of the song, as it really sounds like a song that would backup fond memories. It’s an enjoyable listen that I’d listen to again for sure.
4 stars
Break the Brake by Xdinary Heroes
I like the song, but something in the instrumental, especially at the chorus, need something more. It just didn’t go hard enough for me. That’s really my only qualm with the song.
4 stars
Honey or Spice by Lightsum
It’s a fun song, especially the chorus. I really don’t have much else to say about it than that.
3.5 stars
In The Modd by Wheein
It’s a nice, groovy song. The chorus is the best part for sure. Of the Whee In solo songs I have listened to, this might be my favorite. That said, I don’t adore the song, I simply like it. I’m not itching to play it on repeat.
4 stars
Black Tie by Jeff Satur
Jeff Satur is a Thai singer. He gives me Hozier vibes vocally, which is evident in this release for sure. I like the dark and dramatic concept and music style, but I will say that I don’t love the song to the point of adoration. I’ll listen to it again, but I’m not putting it on repeat.
3.5 stars
Don’t Go Insane by DPR IAN
I haven’t listened to a lot of DPR Ian, but I am trying to expand my horizons to new genres of beyond K-Pop. This is probably a wild music video to start with, but it is spooky season so it is thematic. I genuinely like the song a lot and will likely listen to it again. The video actually balances being chaotic but with purpose, so I actually enjoy it. A wild intro to DPR Ian, but I does make me more interested in listening to more of his music.
4.5 stars
Sugar-holic by Itzy
Another Japanese Itzy release. I like the style, but I don’t think it fits all of the Itzy members that well. While Lia sounds great, I’m not a fan of Yuna’s vocals in this song. I really want to love it, but that is a barrier for me.
3.5 stars
ABCDLOVE by BOYNEXTDOOR
It’s a nice song, and that is the extent of my thoughts on it.
3 stars
Chasing That Feeling by Tomorrow X Together
I like it but I don’t love it. I needed the chorus to be more impactful. Their choreography was more hard-hitting than the actual song. This track is actually kind of boring compared to what we usually get from TXT title tracks.
3.5 stars
Stars by ID:Earth
I’ll be honest: I ignored the video almost completely. I don’t think I really missed anything, and I still focused on the song. After all of the K-pop, this was quite the palette cleanser. I really like her voice which really shines in this song. It’s a nice, mellow vibe as well which is nice to have. I don’t like it as much as previous tracks I’ve heard from her though.
3.5 stars
Baddie by IVE
I don’t hate the song, but after the interesting and different pre-releases we go, this is kind of disappointing. This song doesn’t fit IVE in my opinion either. They don’t do a bad job, but I could see other girl groups with this song and it being a better fit and a stronger performance. I think I’d need more listens to really solidify an opinion since I’m torn.
3 stars
This Is Love by Queenz Eye
I enjoyed the verses, but didn’t love the chorus. It just didn’t fit the vibe we were given in the verses for me. It’s the instrumental specifically that is just off for me in that part. I’m disappointed because I really like the rest of the song, but the chorus is just so meh.
3.5 stars
Vision Getting Blurred by BÉBE YANA
I need more people to listen to BÉBE YANA because her vocals are great and she has some really interesting songs, this one included.
4 stars
Love it by YOUNITE
It’s a nice song, just not a style I gravitate towards very much. I don’t think I’d go out of my way to listen to it again, but if it came on somewhere, I wouldn’t loathe hearing it again.
3 stars
Stranger by Sunmi
This release felt more like an excuse to make a creepy music video in October. There are parts I really like that I wish the song committed to. In fact I liked all the different pieces of the song, but it was arranged like Rubik’s cube that if matching parts were aligned together it would be great, but the producers left it jumbled and unsolved. I want to like this song, but it’s too disjointed.
2 stars
Kiss me baby by E’LAST
This wasn’t what I was anticipating, but I like being surprised as long as it is a good one. And this is mostly good, I’d say. The chorus could have been more interesting. It needed more energy in the instrumental, just a little bit to make that part standout a little more. I’ve definitely found their previous releases better than this.
2.5 stars
Coup D’etat by KINGDOM
I always look forward to Kingdom comebacks because they have great music and stunning videos. They don’t disappoint this time either, but I do think they have had strong title tracks prior to this. It is a solid song that I like a lot, but just a hair lower than previous comebacks.
4 stars
Beam me up (2Dx3D) by Superkind
There are parts that I like, but I’m generally underwhelmed. The instrumental leaves a lot to be desired and the vocals aren’t strong enough to overcome that.
2 stars
God of Music by Seventeen
It’s fine, but not my favorite Seventeen title track. I don’t really have a lot to say to be honest.
3.5 stars
DANG! (hocus pocus) by Billie
It’s fine, but it feels a little bit like a watered-down Billie track. They are missing members so that could be a factor, but the production of the song is toned down. It could have been great, but it went with safe instead.
3 stars
RUCKUS by GHOST9
I wish we got more build up before the chorus, giving us more of an anti-drop so that the chorus would have been more impactful. That would have turned an okay song into a really strong one.
3.5 stars
Gum by Jessi
Jessi is usually hit or miss for me, with more misses than hits. This song sounds like one rejected by Nicki Minaj to be honest. It also sounds incomplete as if they cut the ending after the bridge, so it sounds weird. As a mutual of mine had said and I agree with “She left PNation for this?”
2 stars
Love by B.I
I really enjoy B.I’s style of music, so I easily enjoyed this song. It is more mellow than previous tracks I’ve listened to, but I like that.
4 stars
Talk Saxy by RIIZE
I’m not a fan of the chorus and the song as a whole is pretty generic sounding, especially for an SM title track. The video also highlighted that this group hasn’t found solid footing yet and the members are still developing personal styles. I couldn’t help but think NCT 127 would have done much better with it.
2.5 stars
ONLY FUN by XODIAC
This feels like a song that should have released in early summer, not the fall. It’s also not a very good song in my opinion. The instrumental is very generic and they vocally don’t sound strong.
2 stars
X.O.X by Moon Jong Up
I’ve always enjoyed songs with this style and energy, so I was easily vibing along with it during my first listen.
4 stars
Guilty by Taemin
I’ve never been disappointed by Taemin, and I’m not starting now either. I love the dark and sultry concept, Taemin’s voice is just perfect, and the choreography fits perfectly.
5 stars
Gods by NewJeans (League of Legends Worlds 2023 Anthem)
It’s a very different song for NewJeans, but their vocals sound so good with this style. And the song is right up my alley for the style I enjoy. I do wonder if this marks the end of new music from K/DA, Riot’s virtual K-Pop group. I really liked what they’ve done, so I’d like more K/DA in the future.
4.5 stars
Perfect Night by LE SSERAFIM (Overwatch 2)
It’s fine. I don’t love it and I don’t hate it.
3 stars
What new music have you been enjoying this month, K-pop or not? Tell me about it with a comment!