A number of years in the past, I took a glance again at my high Ok-pop songs of 2016 and did some reshuffling. To be sincere, that checklist nonetheless wants a pair slight adjustments to be completely correct in my present considering, however moderately than be overly fussy I’d like to maneuver onto the next yr.
2017’s Ok-pop slate was fairly robust, with a handful of legendary songs on the high. Right here’s my up to date rating, now that I’ve had almost seven (!) years for songs to rise, fall and settle of their rightful locations.
10. Produce 101 Season 2 – Choose Me
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What I Stated Then: “Choose Me concentrated all of its performers’ toil and desperation and laid it naked over three minutes of immense EDM catharsis. Not solely was it catchy as all get out, however its go-for-broke spirit and endless vitality demanded consideration, climaxing within the yr’s greatest, most euphoric refrain.”
What I Say Now: That is nonetheless the excessive water mark for survival collection theme songs, however the sheer glut of them since 2017 has blunted Choose Me‘s energy only a bit. Nonetheless, listening to this seems like being swept again to a less complicated time.
9. Seventeen – Don’t Wanna Cry
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What I Stated Then: “From its plaintive, melancholic verses to that attractive, drum-filled construct, Cry is a deftly organized set-up for its sucker-punch of a hook. The refrain is probably not as advanced as most Seventeen singles, however the guys squeeze extra emotion from the titular chorus than most teams managed all yr lengthy.”
What I Say Now: I used to be actually excessive on Seventeen’s discography this yr. I haven’t gone again to it as a lot as anticipated since then, however Don’t Wanna Cry nonetheless stands as their greatest, most cathartic second in 2017. It’s the uncommon trend-based observe that manages to sound fully timeless.
8. BLACKPINK – As If It’s Your Final
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What I Stated Then: “BLACKPINK might have solely launched one (!) track this yr, nevertheless it was a doozy. By merging their twin sounds into one celebratory summer season anthem, the women delivered their most addictive hit but. “
What I Say Now: Isn’t that exclamation mark cute? Think about considering that one track a yr from BLACKPINK was stunning. The group might not have deepened their discography a lot since 2017, however As If It’s Your Final stays their most glittering pop pinwheel. It has turn into a deserved summer season staple.
7. Wanna One – Energetic
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What I Stated Then: “It’s a track chock stuffed with moments, from the charismatic playfulness of the rap verses to the chugging electro thomp of the refrain. Nevertheless it’s the group’s indelible persona that really makes Energetic soar.”
What I Say Now: Energetic retains its place at quantity seven even years after Wanna One have turn into a distant reminiscence. You possibly can thank its pitch good mix of deep home grooves and dramatic vocals. It’s an iconic debut but to be bettered by another Produce-spawned group.
6. Golden Baby – DamDaDi
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What I Stated Then: “Its rollicking pop/rock sound might really feel corny, however there’s no denying that DamDaDi appeared like nothing else launched in 2017. It’s laborious to not be received over by its explosive vitality, made much more addictive by the group’s youthful enthusiasm.”
What I Say Now: DamDaDi‘s huge rise is available in half as a result of music Golden Baby went on to launch quickly after, however even with out that unbelievable legacy the track has stood the check of time (after which some!) due to its bombastically vivid vitality.
5. NCT Dream – My First And Final
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What I Stated Then: “Hearkening again to the debut days of youthful teams like SHINee, Dream provided greater than sufficient harmless vitality, however the actual MVP right here is composer/producer Ryan S. Jhun, who breathed life into the track’s effervescent, strings-assisted hook and funk-driven bass.”
What I Say Now: No NCT unit ever actually embraced this sound once more, and maybe that altering legacy undercuts a few of its energy. Nonetheless, My First And Final stays a dynamic whirlwind of a funk-pop observe, completely basic and chock stuffed with persona.
4. Gfriend – Fingertip
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What I Stated Then: “Although they might finally revert again to extra normal woman group fare, for a short second in March GFriend solid themselves as world-conquering synth-pop warriors, propelled by the bombastic 80’s dance funk throwback of Fingertip.”
What I Say Now: Few Ok-pop teams’ materials has aged higher than GFriend’s. Fingertip appears much more daring and large right now than it did again in 2017 and represents an important inflection level for the women. I completely find it irresistible.
3. Snuper – Again:Hug
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What I Stated Then: “Again:Hug is a special beast altogether, fusing right now’s manufacturing with a classy sheen and ultra-melodic hook. Its ever-shifting textures gave Snuper their most advanced single but, however wrapped it in a classically catchy, immaculately produced bundle. The second the luxurious pre-chorus sweeps in, the track transforms into the sort of timeless pop 2017 so typically lacked.”
What I Say Now: Snuper are nonetheless my 2017 MVPs and Again:Hug performs an enormous position in that. It stays a sterling beacon of Ok-pop’s tropical pattern, impeccably produced and melodically wealthy. I’ll by no means get sick of listening to it.
2. Crimson Velvet – Crimson Taste
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What I Stated Then: “Crimson Velvet outlined the summer season of 2017, merging their quirky pop type with probably the most strong refrain of their profession. Crimson Taste is a kaleidoscope of ingenious percussion and megawatt hooks, delivered with polish and panache to spare. Wendy’s explosive bridge stands as one of many yr’s defining pop moments, elevating an already gargantuan sound to goosebump-inducing ranges.”
What I Say Now: I imply, this track has turn into an iconic basic. I already predicted that will occur again in the summertime of 2017, however the track now seems like an inseparable a part of Ok-pop historical past in one of the simplest ways. I don’t let a summer season go by with out taking part in it not less than as soon as.
1. Snuper – The Star Of Stars
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What I Stated Then: “Producers Sweetune is probably not steering the careers of a-list acts anymore, however Star proves that they haven’t misplaced their contact for a sweeping melody and strong, layered association. From its explosive opening synth riff to the dramatic climb in the direction of the sing-along climax, I can’t consider one other track that felt so welcome every time it discovered its method onto my playlist.”
What I Say Now: My high decide for 2017 hasn’t modified, and certain by no means will. In truth, it’s my second most performed track — proper after Infinite’s The Chaser. The truth that this got here from a small group who aren’t even collectively anymore is sort of wonderful, and greater than somewhat bittersweet.