Battle of the B-Sides: JYJ, Nu’est, 2PM, J.Y. Park, BoA

Okay-pop’s title tracks would possibly achieve most of listeners’ consideration, however many album tracks are price equal highlight. I name these “buried treasures.”

Past this, Okay-pop’s albums ship hundreds of further tracks that accept a extra restricted viewers. It’s these songs that may turn into part of my “battle of the b-sides” function.

On this function, I’ll be placing on my A&R hat and taking a hear to 5 randomly-selected Okay-pop b-sides. I’ll write a mini overview for every, together with a Bias Listing score, and rank them from least to most favourite. The winner will be part of a particular Bias Listing B-side playlist. Consider it like my very own little company, hand-selecting songs I’d wish to pitch to my nonexistent artists!

You possibly can try all rounds of my Battle of the B-sides right here!

JYJ – Mission (2011)

While you have a look at it as an entire, JYJ had a bonkers discography. It was additionally short-lived however fairly explosive at first. Mission comes from their first Korean album and is a Kim Junsu manufacturing. I’ve all the time loved his extra upbeat tracks and Mission slots proper alongside these. The synth-heavy instrumental may be very 2011 however feels fairly charming 13 years later. It compliments the tune’s driving, militant power nicely.

Nu’est – Fairly (ft. Hi there Venus’ Yoo Ara) (2013)

This laidback funk jam doesn’t draw a ton of consideration to itself, however the rubbery groove and catchy hook have withstood the check of time. Yoo Ara makes a welcome debut accomplice, even when her ethereal tone is underused. My favourite side of the observe is the gurgling synth through the refrain, which supplies the observe a ton of texture. This sounds particularly nice blasting from a automotive speaker.

2PM – Coming Down (2013)

We’ve obtained one other understated groove with Coming Down, however this one’s slower and slinkier. 2PM’s 2013 Grown album is full of two of their highest title tracks, making the b-sides pale as compared. It is a satisfying sluggish jam (I particularly love the old fashioned second verse rap), however is extra about tone and vibe than memorable melodies. It really works nicely in context of the album even when I wouldn’t think about it a standout.

J.Y. Park – I Like a Girls Like This (ft. Dynamic Duo & Jeon Jeduk) (2007)

It’s bizarre how my shuffle button generally comes up with sudden patterns. I Like a Girls Like This is one more groovy observe and comes from 2PM’s mentor J.Y. Park. In contrast to many JYP tracks, that is virtually all rap. Over a clean, strings-assisted instrumental, JYP trades verses with Dynamic Duo as a hearty vocal hook marks the tune’s refrain. The general sound may be very heat and traditional. We’ve even obtained a little bit of harmonica thrown in on the finish!

BoA – Heroine (2005)

This battle is stuffed with Okay-pop legends. BoA throws her hat within the ring with a observe from her fifth album Ladies On High. Like many albums of the period, the title tracks far exceed a lot of the b-sides, although there are positively some bangers to be discovered. Heroine doesn’t do a ton for me. Its vaguely-Latin manufacturing and stuttering beatbox R&B percussion are emblematic of the period, however the melodies don’t hit as onerous as I’d like them to and the tune is just too sluggish for its personal good. BoA delivers some nice energy notes through the bridge, although.

Fifth: 2PM – Coming Down
Fourth: BoA – Heroine
Third: J.Y. Park – I Like a Girls Like This (ft. Dynamic Duo & Jeon Jeduk)
Second: JYJ – Mission

First: Nu’est – Fairly (ft. Hi there Venus’ Yoo Ara)

Congratulations to Nu’est’s Fairly – the sixty-second winner of my Battle of the B-sides!

Readers, what do you suppose? Did you uncover any hidden gems? Go away your individual rating within the feedback!