June In Music

Summer opened with a big bang! Literally, as Big Bang's leader, G-Dragon, made his comeback at the start of the month after 4 years. Girl groups Mamamoo, Blackpink and APink made their returns as well with fun songs akin to the warm weather. This summer, what song is going to take the cake as 2017's summer anthem?

1. G-Dragon - Untitled 2014

Korean

Released: June 8th

G-Dragon released his second mini-album, titled after his real name "Kwon Ji-Yong". The songs on this album relay the artist's inner feelings and struggles that contrast with his confident persona. "Untitled 2014", the lead single, is an emotional lamentation with a piano composition and simplistic music video. This ballad is comparable to fellow Big Bang member Taeyang's "Eyes Nose Lips" but is a complete switch up from G-Dragon's normal hip-hop oriented works.

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 2/5

2. NCT 127 - Cherry Bomb

Korean

Released: June 14th

NCT 127 has taken on a very bizarre concept with their debut track "Fire Truck" and then went a tamer route with "Limitless". Now the ball is back in the court of unusualness in the swaggy and explosive "Cherry Bomb". Mark and Taeyong participated in writing the lyrics which talk about how they blow up the stage with their charisma. "I'm the biggest hit on the stage." Like always, the members deliver mesmerizing choreography but I can't help but call this a downgrade to their previous comeback. The electronic hip-hop composition of the song, albeit innovative, make it seems like two songs were cut and pasted together.

Review: Song - 2.5/5  MV - 2.5/5

3. T-ara - What's My Name

Korean

Released: June 14th

T-ara returned with their ninth extended-play to say goodbye. "What's My Name?" marks the end of the group's career as they plan to disband after its release. For this farewell song, T-ara swapped their typical EDM style for a softer approach.

Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

4. Monsta X - Shine Forever

Korean

Released: June 19th

After dropping their first full album in March, Monsta X came back with a repackaged version featuring its lead single "Shine Forever". "Shine Forever" is of the electronic genre with touches of hip-hop. It's lyrics describe being in awe by someone's shining beauty. The music video is acted out well: the group is in a car accident, which leaves Kihyun blind (as represented by the blindfold). Then in the end, after much regret and blame, the members take Kihyun to a field in the nighttime. The field is illuminated with lights and Kihyun regains his vision.
Review: Song - 3.5/5  MV - 3/5

5. Blackpink - As If It's Your Last

Korean

Released: June 22nd

"As If It's Your Last" is a uptempo pop track with a fun vibe perfect for summer. With this introduction to the groups' pink concept, Blackpink showcase what they haven't in their previous "black" singles. The girls show a brighter, cuter side to themselves and take on the school uniform concept. The release also features an all-English rap and a playful choreography that's easy for fans to follow along too!

Review: Song - 3.5/5  MV - 2.5/5

6. Hyolyn X Kisum - Fruity

Korean

Released: June 29th

Wasting no time since Sistar's disbandment (in early June), Hyolyn lends her vocals to "Fruity", a bright summer song about a refreshing, sweet relationship. She paired up with fellow Unpretty Rapstar contestant Kisum for this CF advertising Lipton fruit-flavored beverages. The chorus is groovy and airy, while the music video set is a vibrant fruit juice bar!

Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 3.5/5

Sources

Info:1,5

,Images:1,2,3,4,5,6

March In Music

With March comes spring, so it's not a surprise that we were graced with songs and music videos that have a spring atmosphere. There were also awaited the awaited returns of popular boy groups Got7, B.A.P, and Monsta X. Moreover, Beast rebranded themselves as Highlight, Taeyeon dropped her first full album and SM kicked off season 2 of SM Station. Here are my Asian pop picks of March, not limited to Korean music.

1. B.A.P. - Wake Me Up

Released: March 6th

Korean

B.A.P. go darker and deeper in 'Wake Me Up'. The song, which is a combination of edgy rock and rugged rap, urges listeners to be awakened to reality. I found the music video to be...interesting but creepy. There are frightful scenes of people who are depicted with mental issues and emotional turmoil. Out of all the dark imagery and serious message, though, there is a hidden positive message: an emotional revolution. "putting back together the messy puzzle pieces in this game...Vive la revolution...Free, love, real, ill."
Review: Song - 4.5/5  MV - 2.5/5

2. Kisum X Cao Lu X Yerin - It's Spring Again

Released: March 15th

Korean

'It's Spring Again' is a three-person collaboration with Fiestar's Cao Lu, Gfriend's Yerin and soloist Kisum. It has a sweet, acoustic-based melody and a pastel music video that suits the current lush season. The lyrics express not being able to enjoy spring because they don't have a boyfriend. The girls also make other funny complaints, 'Why is it spring again? I’m allergic to pollen.Who does this benefit?"Overall, I really like 'Spring Again' because it's an all-girl affair. Such projects between female idols of different companies don't happen often!
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 4/5

3. Apink - Bye Bye

Released: March 21st

Japanese

In their 7th Japanese single, the girls of Apink say farewell to a flawed relationship and enjoy each others' company instead. 'Bye Bye' starts with warped sounds of a music box and turns into a mid-tempo bubblegum pop track, that is much like their Korean releases. Apink is as pure and girlish as usual, in a garden with cherry blossoms while wearing pastel tones that are perfect for spring.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3/5

4. Monsta X - Beautiful

Released: March 21st

Korean

Monsta X complete their album trilogy with the release 'The Clan Pt. 2.5: The Final Chapter'. 'Beautiful' is the lead single of the group's first full album. It opens with bubbly electronic synths which are followed by a barrage of abrasive rap from members Jooheon and IM. The song. which shifts between hip-hop and electro-pop, recovers from the roughness and welcomes a smooth chorus. What's more is, Monsta X demand your attention with their impressive choreography that exudes style and manliness!
Review: Song - 4/5  MV - 5/5

5. Shiny - Trainer

Released; March 27th

Mandarin

Shiny (姚亦晴) is a fresh-faced 20-year-old soloist from Taiwan. She has shown herself to have a powerful alto voice which she puts together with the music of the ballad and techno genre. Currently, Shiny is promoting her first full-length album 'Getting Stronger' which was released in January. 'Trainer (馴獸師)' is the record's latest single and features groovy synths with a mature, but hipster sound.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 2.5/5

6. Red Velvet - Would U

Released: March 30th

Korean

'Would U' is the leading single of SM Station Season 2 and is sung by the vocal angels of Red Velvet. This medium tempo track tells of a girl's shyness as she approaches the one she has fallen for. Hopelessly smitten, she starts to imagine how her love would come true. Red Velvet's Irene stars in the music video with Kim Min Jae of BtoB as her love interest. Irene roams around in a garden, reading notes until her future beau ultimately finds her amongst the flowers.
Review: Song - 3/5  MV - 3.5/5

Sources:
Info: 1,3,5a,5b
Images: 1,2,3,4,5,6

Playlist 8. Pretty Rapstars

Theme: Unpretty Rapstar

Songs with a [♥] are my preference/a personal favorite.

Songs by contestants from the rap survivor show Unpretty Rapstar, seasons 1 and 2. I included a link to the English translation of the lyrics if the video has none. (The song's lyrics are clean.) Enjoy!

1. Gilme - Success (Don't Kill My Vibe)

Korean ♥

Gilme gives us a hip-hop heavy track that's better called K-rap than K-pop. In her lyrics, she expresses herself as misunderstood and tells how people try to control her. "Don't kill my vibe!" Lyrics

2. Kitti B - Doin' Good (Feat. Verbal Jint)
Korean ♥

'Doin' Good' is about how a girl is successful after breaking up with an abusive boyfriend. This quality track deserves more attention as it empowers girls' self-reliance. The MV shows some domestic violence, so here's the audio if you prefer not to watch. Lyrics

3. Cheetah - My Number

Korean

Groovy and hip-hop-y at the same time. Cheetah gives us a more commercial rap song rather than her signature flow. The lyrics are somewhat lazy, which reflect Cheetah's annoyance at boys asking for her number.

4. Yezi - Sse Sse Sse 

Korean ♥

Yezi collaborated with Kittib, Ahn Soomin and Gilme - and the result is fire! Somehow their verses contrast nicely instead of clashing. The "clap clap clap" matches the heavy-hitting lyrics!

5. Jessi - Sssenunni

Korean ♥

"You think you flowsik, but my flow more sicker!" Like I mentioned here, this isn't a lyrical masterpiece, but good nonetheless!

6. Yezi - Cider

Korean ♥

By 'Cider', I think Yezi means tough and gritty-which could definitely describe her. She delivered the song well and the MV seems to be a reference to her time on Unpretty Rapstar.

7. Tymee - Super Flower

Korean

The rap starts off chill, intensifies then breaks into a nice chorus. Supposedly, Tymee wrote "Super Flower" after forgetting her lyrics on Show Me The Money 3. This is empowerment after facing an obstacle. Lyrics

8. Adoonga - Feedback 
Korean

A lot of rappers were squeezed into this song; Jace, Kisum, Lil Cham and Bora. I don't know who Adoonga is, or how this collab came about, but it gives each rapper a time to shine.

9. Kisum - You And Me (Feat Jooyoung)
Korean ♥

Kisum is the queen of cutesy swag. The song is about a girl hopelessly stuck on a boy. The video has a high-school-girl-innocence that isn't forced. The MV is dreamy and charming, I like it.

10. Jace - Not Enough (Feat. Kisum)

Korean

Jace is on this list for the second time and Kisum for a third. The lyrics criticize gold-diggers who are never satisfied. Lyrics