Okay-pop’s title tracks would possibly acquire most of listeners’ consideration, however many album tracks are value equal highlight. I name these “buried treasures.”
Past this, Okay-pop’s albums ship 1000’s of extra tracks that accept a extra restricted viewers. It’s these songs that may turn into 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 Okay-pop b-sides. I’ll write a mini assessment for every, together with a Bias Listing ranking, and rank them from least to most favourite. The winner will be a 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 take a look at all rounds of my Battle of the B-sides right here!
Tremendous Junior – Reset (2009)
Okay-pop tends to reflect tendencies occurring elsewhere on the planet, so it’s fascinating to return in time and listen to a track like Reset that strongly remembers the late-2000’s R&B sound that was standard on the radio throughout this era. Reset isn’t a very notable or memorable instance of this model, however its easy beat and clean vocals act as an on the spot shot of nostalgia. The refrain is fairly addictive.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
PSY – Truth (ft. G-Dragon) (2017)
PSY and G-Dragon have a couple of songs collectively, with 2012’s wonderful Blue Frog standing as an on the spot basic. Alternatively, Truth shouldn’t be designed to please informal pop followers. It’s way more hard-hitting, sparsely produced and hook averse. That is the sound of two A-list rappers buying and selling blows over a confrontational beat. Their charisma is plain, however I’ve to be in a sure temper to hunt a track like this out.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
VAV – Into You (2020)
Okay-pop’s tropical section actually took over the business for a yr or two, and that is the sound of that period operating on fumes. From its thumping beat to its summery synth squiggles, Into You ticks all of the anticipated bins. Sadly, we’ve additionally obtained an terrible second verse breakdown and lots of inane English lyrics that make this monitor really feel a bit amateurish. It nearly has an uncanny valley, AI high quality in locations. That is undoubtedly not one of many group’s stronger choices.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
Ailee – Reside Or Die (ft. Tak) (2016)
Ailee can toss off these mid-tempo R&B tracks in her sleep and normally imbues them with highly effective vocals that enhance an in any other case sleepy track. Baechigi’s Tak supplies a visitor rap that works effectively to counter Ailee’s extra acrobatic efficiency. However other than the artists themselves, the track doesn’t do all that a lot for me. It’s nice and builds to some good peaks within the refrain, however this isn’t the sound I really like most from her.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
B1A4 – Name Me (2017)
For these simply entering into Okay-pop, B1A4’s catalog is without doubt one of the strongest our bodies of labor you possibly can discover. Even their extra reserved materials like Name Me stands far above many different artists’ discographies. Name Me is a bizarre little track, framed by an insistent tropical pattern that provides method to a clipped refrain that zigs whenever you anticipate it to zag. The vocals listed here are fairly adventurous, reminding me of Prince at occasions. I can’t say that is one among my favourite B1A4 b-sides, besides it’s a simple winner on this battle.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
Fifth: VAV – Into You
Fourth: PSY – Truth (ft. G-Dragon)
Third: Ailee – Reside Or Die (ft. Tak)
Second: Tremendous Junior – Reset
First: B1A4 – Name Me
Congratulations to B1A4’s Name Me – the sixty-fourth 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!