Okay-pop has been a singles-driven marketplace for awhile now, however that solely appears to be more true with every passing yr. Both comebacks don’t have sufficient songs to be referred to as an “album,” or the b-sides are clearly designed to pad a tracklist somewhat than stand out on their very own. With that stated, there have been a handful of albums I liked in 2024. Many had been connected to nice title tracks, however with the intention to land on this checklist I actually needed to love your entire work.
Standards stays the identical from 2023: to be eligible for this countdown, an album should embrace not less than 4 full songs (intros don’t depend).
Honorable Mentions:
Dignity – Digmotion
DKB – City Journey
P1Harmony – Killin’ It
QWER – Manito
Taemin – Everlasting
TAN – W Collection: 3TAN
tripleS – ASSEMBLE24
Vahn – Come & Go
The Wind – Whats up: My First Love
Xdinary Heroes – Troubleshooting
10. DAY6 – Fourever
DAY6 are not any stranger to this checklist, usually crafting albums which can be even stronger than their singles. Fourever catches them in nice type, doling out precisely what followers need whereas nudging at style traces right here and there. B-side Blissful has even change into a bona fide hit in its personal proper.
Standout Album Tracks: Unhappy Ending, The Energy Of Love
9. NMIXX – Fe3O4: Break
NMIXX opened the yr with their strongest album but, blitzing by various genres with indefatigable charisma. Run For Roses lastly capitalizes on their vocal expertise whereas the anthemic Break The Wall closes the album with a bang.
Standout Album Tracks: Run For Roses, Break The Wall
8. Vanner – Seize The Flag
Seize The Flag seems like a Okay-pop album that might have been launched in the course of the 2010’s. It’s a bit in all places in sound, however delivered with such panache. The songwriting is stable as a rock all through, matching the group’s polished supply.
Standout Album Tracks: Circuit, After Social gathering
7. YOUNITE – One other
Primarily based on their previous materials, I might by no means have anticipated to function an album from YOUNITE on this checklist. However not solely is title observe Geekin a splendidly foolish spotlight, however the remainder of the venture presents equally enjoyable takes on idol hip-hop.
Standout Album Tracks: How We Do, Poco Loco
6. ZEROBASEONE – Cinema Paradise
What Cinema Paradise lacks in a cohesive sound, it makes up for in sonic breadth. It’s the group’s most fun album but, stuffed full with style diversions that each one work higher than anticipated. ZEROBASEONE convey loads of character to every type, making this a uncommon no-skip album.
Standout Album Tracks: Street Film, Kill The Romeo, Insomnia
5. The Wind – Our: YouthTeen
Each albums from The Wind had been nice this yr, however Our: YouthTeen earns its spot because of a pair of supremely addictive b-sides. Traditional Okay-pop sounds abound all through this venture, fusing nostalgia with forward-looking youth.
Standout Album Tracks: Friendship, Coronary heart Fluttering
4. BOYNEXTDOOR – How?
Not many Okay-pop albums really feel like they’re telling a narrative, however BOYNEXTDOOR handle to convey narrative by these songs and their placement inside How‘s observe checklist. I like the way in which this album rises and falls, peaking within the center and coming to a beautiful denouement with the hushed Pricey. My Darling.
Standout Album Tracks: So Let’s Go See The Stars, Our, l i f e i s c o o l
3. TWS – Summer season Beat!
I’ve really listened to Summer season Beat greater than its predecessor, although that’s largely as a consequence of its pair of mammoth singles. I’ve a longstanding bias towards summer-themed Okay-pop albums and TWS had been one of many few to launch one this yr. Its sound is shiny, nostalgic and all the time highlighted by sturdy, memorable melody.
Standout Album Tracks: Hold On, YOU+ME=7942, Fireplace Confetti
2. TWS – Glowing Blue
TWS’s two mini albums are primarily tied, however I’ll give Glowing Blue the slight edge as a result of it’s their debut and it has their finest unpromoted b-side up to now (First Hooky). From starting to finish, the album deposits you throughout the group’s youth drama world, instantly presenting their core themes through a colourful bunch of extremely catchy pop songs.
Standout Album Tracks: First Hooky, Unplugged Boy
1. RIIZE – RIIZING
This virtually isn’t truthful, as a result of by the point 2024 got here to an finish the ultimate model of this album had primarily change into a “best hits” of RIIZE’s yr. Nonetheless, it’s superb how nicely the entire venture hangs collectively. A number of genres collide in a seize bag of sounds, most of which echo previous SM Leisure glories. This makes it an ideal sampler for anybody desirous about Okay-pop, as I’m positive listeners will discover not less than one tune they join with. I imply, you would possibly as nicely tack on final yr’s Get A Guitar and Reminiscences and have your self a whole RIIZE assortment.
Standout Album Tracks: 9 Days, One Kiss, Truthfully