Here's a compiled and abbreviated list of September, October, November, and December in Music.
September in Music
1. Nam Taehyun - Star
Released: September 4th
After leaving idol-group Winner in 2016, Nam Tae Hyun pursued another path by founding his own record company and forming an alternative-rock band "South Club." Stepping away from his band for a bit, Nam Tae Hyun made his official solo debut with a dreamy track "Star." It's refreshing, light synth-pop which is way different from what I'm used to hearing from him. The song confesses his preference of nighttime and darkness over daytime and the bright sun. The music video is quite basic but is still captivating with its carefully choreographed scenes of passing lights and shadows.
Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 4/5
2. Sunmi - Siren
Released: September 4th
Sunmi returns to number 1 on the charts with another great song from her new EP "Warning." The lead single "Siren" is an eerie dance-pop tune that holds a clever double meaning. "Siren" represents the bright lights that warn of danger and also symbolizes an alluring, murderous mermaid-creature. Through her lyrics, Sunmi does not hesitate to warn her lingering ex that she is a dangerous woman. "Just let go. You know that I’ll hurt you. The beautiful me of your fantasies doesn’t exist." The music video takes the theme further, starting with blaring red sirens and mermaid imagery. A popular youtube channel, DKDKTV, dive further into the video's meaning with their own theory that Sunmi is warning her younger self of the dangers of the entertainment industry.
Review: Song - 5/5 MV - 4/5
3. Chanyeol X Sehun - We Young
Korean
Released: September 14th
Last July, Chanyeol and Sehun debuted the trap-influenced "We Young" at EXO's elyxion show in Seoul. Finally, the song was released officially through SM Station. I doubted that I would like it, mainly because the group's vocal line is absent from the song. However, the rap duo proved to me that they can carry a song, and own it! Instead of heavy hip-hop, "We Young" is funky and playful, opening brightly with a light piano riff. Chanyeol provides impressive vocals and the two encourage youth to be themselves.
Review: Song - 4.5/5 MV - 4/5
4. Day6 - Beautiful Feeling
5. Got7 - Lullaby
6. PLT - IGOHOLIC
October in Music
1. IKON - Goodbye Road
Released: October 1st
To my surprise, Ikon made their third comeback of the year! "Goodbye Road" is the lead single from "New Kids: the Final" which completes Ikon's 2018 album trilogy. (Though, a repackage was released on January 7th, which can be considered the real conclusion.) Looking back through the series, Love Scenario talked about breaking up with no hard feelings, and "Killing Me" expressed feeling regret over the breakup while considering getting back together with their ex. Finally, in "Goodbye Road" Ikon walk down the path of acceptance and gain closure. The title is a nod to Bigbang's "Flower Road" and uses the metaphor of a road to represent the definite end of the relationship and a new beginning.
Review: Song - 5/5 MV - 5/5
Review: Song - 5/5 MV - 5/5
2. NCT 127 - Regular
Released: October 8th
Lately, many new things have been happening to NCT 127. For instance, they came out with their first full-album and added a new member, Jungwoo. Their album features an English song, another "first," which they sang on Jimmy Kimmel Live as their American television debut. "Regular" follows the recent American trend of Latin-trap. The music video and English lyrics boast about the typical trap-related antics (spending money and invoking envy in others) so I can clearly tell this is aimed at an American audience. Though "Regular" was not a big breakout success in the U.S. like SM probably hoped, it easily became one of my favorite songs from the group!
Review: Song - 5/5 MV - 3/5
3. Dua Lipa X Blackpink - Kiss & Make-Up
English, Korean
Released: October 18th
Blackpink's attendance of Dua Lipa's tour stop in Seoul birthed the group's first collaboration project. It's British-pop meets K-pop. Though I'm not a fan of Dua Lipa, I feel like the collab turned out pretty well. Both artists have somewhat similar images and they both work with electronic genres, so Blackpink jumping on Dua's track seemed natural. "Kiss and Make-up" is about wanting to patch up a relationship with an ex. Meanwhile, Blackpink has been confirmed to perform at Coachella 2019, so maybe they'll perform "Kiss and Make Up" with Dua Lipa for the first time?
Review: Song - 3/5 MV - N/A
4. IU - Bbi Bbi
5. EXO - Tempo
6. Nu'est W - Help Me
November in Music
1. Steve Aoki (Feat. BTS) - Waste It On Me
Released: November 19th
BTS has included American DJ Steve Aoki in their projects before. First, with the remix of "Mic Drop" and again with their stripped-down piano ballad "The Truth Untold." This time, however, it's BTS who are featured on a Steve Aoki song and, for the first time, they sing completely in English! "Waste It On Me" is sung and rapped nearly entirely by Jungkook and RM, but I can hear Jimin in the backing vocals. It has that quintessential EDM pop sound that currently rules American radio.
Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 1/5
2. Jennie - SOLO
Released: November 12th
Many Blinks were half expecting Blackpink to have a full group comeback before the year ended, but YG threw us a curveball with Jennie's solo debut. Jennie debuted with a single "SOLO" and allegedly the other the members will all get solos too. "SOLO" declares a girl's newly established single status as she proudly lets go of a relationship and spreads her wings. Blackpink's forward attitude and core concept of beauty and talent are written all over this release. But at the same time, "SOLO" displays Jennie's own personal style. The song follows
Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3.5/5
3. Key - One of These Nights (Feat. Crush)
Korean
Released: November 26th
After over 10 years in the industry, Key made his solo debut - he is the third Shinee member to do so. "One of These Nights," the second single from his album, is a chill R&B number with acoustic guitar. Soloist Crush worked with Key for this track, and his voice takes the song up another level.
Review: Song - 5/5 MV - 3/5
3. Eric Nam - Miss You
4. EXO - Tempo
5. Key - One of These Nights
December in Music
1. Day6 - Days Gone By
Korean
Released: December 10th
2. NCT Dream - Candle Light
Korean
Released: December 27th
3. EXO - Love Shot
Korean and Chinese Versions
Released: December 13th
4. Yesung X Chungha - Whatcha Doin'
5. Gaho - Preparation for A Journey
6. NCT 127 - Simon Says
1. Day6 - Days Gone By
Released: December 10th
Listening to Day6's discography, you may notice that the band loves to travel through the decades! They've tried their hand at 60s fuzz rock with "What Can I Do" and melded some 80s and 90s sounds into "Colors." For their latest song, Day6 rewind yet again with the retro "Days Gone By" that combines 70s and 80s elements. It features an upbeat mix of keyboard synths and guitar This happy-go-lucky sounding song is actually a bittersweet walk down memory lane.
Review: Song - 4.5/5 MV - 3.5/5
Released: December 27th
Just before the year ended, NCT Dream surprised us with a sweet ballad! Released through SM Station, "Candle Light" shows the softer side of the boys with real contrast to their edgy hip-hop release from August. Moreover, instead of being dance focused, the song showcases NCT Dream's sweet vocal tones, including that of Mark who usually raps. I believe that this is the last release with Mark, since he will be graduating from the unit, but what a good way to end the era with him.
Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3/5
Released: December 13th
With EXO's yearly album being later than it has ever been, I was wondering how they were going to squeeze in a repackage and winter album. Too bad we didn't get a winter special, but I'm happy that there was at least a repackage. "Love Shot" is an instant earworm and I liked it at first listen. It's not as impactful as some of EXO's other title tracks, like Monster or Lotto, but the member's rich vocals and catchy "na na na na" make it a bop.
Review: Song - 4/5 MV - 3/5
5. Gaho - Preparation for A Journey
6. NCT 127 - Simon Says
