Ok-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, Ok-pop’s albums ship 1000’s of extra tracks that accept a extra restricted viewers. It’s these songs that may grow to be part of my “battle of the b-sides” characteristic.
On this characteristic, I’ll be placing on my A&R hat and taking a hear to 5 randomly-selected Ok-pop b-sides. I’ll write a mini evaluate for every, together with a Bias Checklist ranking, and rank them from least to most favourite. The winner will be part of a particular Bias Checklist B-side playlist. Consider it like my very own little company, hand-selecting songs I’d prefer to pitch to my nonexistent artists!
You’ll be able to try all rounds of my Battle of the B-sides right here!
Son Dam Bi – Even If It’s the Second Time (2009)
Son Dam Bi had a reasonably good factor going together with her 80s-nodding synthpop largely produced by Courageous Brothers. In truth, she’s a type of artists who had been huge in her time but largely goes unremembered now (at the least by worldwide followers. I feel she’s way more identified in Korea). This b-side glistens with the retro sparkle you’d need from an 80s pastiche. At practically 4 minutes, it seems like an epic by at this time’s requirements. This runtime permits for loads of instrumental house that envelops the straightforward melodies with loads of texture. I simply wish to dive into the track and swim round for a bit.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
LOONA – OOPS! (2020)
LOONA had been actually forward of their time relating to musical traits, and I believe that’s one of many many causes they’ve such a faithful fanbase. The muted palettes of their songs by no means appealed to me as strongly, even when I can respect what the producers had been going for. OOPS! is heavy on the sing-talk and chanted affirmations, which is one other strategy I are likely to battle with. I dig among the synth brass, however the percussion is a bit brittle and the hooks simply don’t do a lot for me.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
fromis_9 – My Night time Routine (2023)
There are songs like this on most idol albums. It’s an opportunity to deliver the tempo down and deal with vibes or (ideally) vocals. My Night time Routine is what I might name “music to review to.” In different phrases, it’s designed as nice environment to soundtrack any second you’d prefer to calm your thoughts. Your evening routine, perhaps? As such, I view it as a useful monitor. It serves a objective, however I not often hearken to pop music with this objective in thoughts so it’s form of misplaced on me.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
MAP6 – Nearer (2017)
Oh wow, this can be a blast from the previous! MAP6 barely launched any music, making it a small triumph that one in all their few b-sides really got here up on shuffle for this future. The track skirts the road between third and fourth technology tropes. The refrain has a really Beast/Spotlight-esque melody whereas the verses are extra fitful and targeted on angle. I definitely desire the previous, however each approaches battle to congeal right into a satisfying complete.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
Twice – Do It Once more (2015)
It’s humorous… I keep in mind disliking most of Twice’s debut album when it first got here out. Trying again after so a few years as a dominant power in Ok-pop, it’s somewhat unusual to listen to these formative tracks. I’m not an enormous fan of the singing model on this and among the digital samples are less-than-pleasant, however now that I do know the place the group was headed I can giggle off a monitor like this as enjoyable, unserious rising pains. It’s nonetheless not one thing I’m prone to return to usually, but it surely’s received a little bit of groove to it.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
Fifth: fromis_9 – My Night time Routine
Fourth: LOONA – OOPS!
Third: Twice – Do It Once more
Second: MAP6 – Nearer
First: Son Dam Bi – Even If It’s the Second Time
Congratulations to Son Dam Bi’s Even If It’s the Second Time – the seventy-first winner of my Battle of the B-sides!
Readers, what do you assume? Did you uncover any hidden gems? Go away your personal rating within the feedback!