2020 so far…

Spring break just started which means I get a break from all the dreadful online assignments, and so I think I should try to keep this blog alive as long as I can, since I probably will abandon it for quite some time in the future.

Since I haven’t talk much about recent comebacks that aren’t my faves, I’ll do one masterpost reviewing most of them.

Warning: long post ahead.

Favorites

Crossroads – GFriend: Read detailed post here

Reveal – The Boyz: Even though, they are my ults, I gotta admit The Boyz has not been releasing the best title tracks. However, this time I can say with confidence this comeback is a SERVE. Reveal is a. Total. Bop. Dark concept is not something I’m fond of but the song is amazing so I can’t complain. Please check out The Boyz. Pretty please.

So What – LOONA: Some love it, some hate it, I think So What is Loona’s most polarizing comeback so far. Personally, I love it. The song is very dynamic and energetic, without being too noisy or ‘try-hard’. This concept just comes naturally to a lot of the members, and they look more comfortable than ever on stage. And I’m so glad that their 1st win has finally arrived. Hope they can keep this momentum for their next comeback, with Haseul of course.

Dazzle Dazzle – Weki Meki: Just 2 years ago, stan twitter was making fun of Weki Meki for having bad music. But now they just keep releasing hits after hits, I think slay. I love that Weki Meki is still keeping their music bright, young, colorful, and fun. Sadly, those concepts has been decreasing these days, since everyone decided to do dark and edgy concept for some reasons. But Weki Meki delivers another fun and catchy bop that I need. It’s a crime that they’re still kinda flopping.

Without You – Golden Child: Everyone stop what you’re doing and go listen to this full album right now. The album has 14 tracks and every single one of them is good! You know how hard is it for a full Kpop album to have that kind of quality? I’m not that familiar with Golden Child so I’m just losing my mind over how insanely good this album is.

Surprises

Wish – Dreamnote: I never paid attention to Dreamnote before, I think I’ve heard two of their past songs only one time when it came out. But this comeback gives them a more elegant, chic style but still remaining very bright and innocent. I now realized how talented and slay their members are, and I would definitely be keeping an eye on them.

Oh My God – G-Idle: G-Idle is not one of my favorite girlgroups, but I do appreciate their music. This release surpass all of my expectations. The song, the MV, the lyrics, all of them blow me away. I really miss the times when Kpop artists go all out for their MVs like this one. The thing that really blow my mind was the lyrics. The fact that Soyeon use the pronoun “she” in a seemingly romantic lyrics, in a title track that will be promoted on TV, is groundbreaking in a country that is still conservative when it comes to same-sex relationship. I have to give so much praise to G-Idle for this decision.

A Song Written Easily – OneUs: I honestly don’t think I have ever listen to any OneUs song fully. But this song is definitely a great introduction for me to the group. The melody is great, the vocals are good, and even though this is one of those instrumental chorus type of song, it doesn’t rely too much on the drop. I’m gonna check out their other stuff if I feel like it.

Let’s Love – Suho: I checked out this album from a friend’s recommendation and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. Suho wasn’t one of the EXO members that I usually have interest in but this album really showcase his vocals and charms well. It was a slow, chill album, but never boring. Perfect for a gloomy, chilly cold afternoon.

Answer – Ateez: I have been avoiding Ateez’s music for a while due to some of the songs that I knew from them were quite noisy, and “out-there” for my taste. Like I know being aggressive and crazy on stage can be attractive for some but it’s not just for me. This comeback though, surprises me on all aspects. The song is not noisy or EDM-heavy at all, instead it is very melodic and emotional, the type of Kpop that I love. This is a new side of Ateez that I haven’t seen before, and I hope to see more of it.

Growers

Jackpot – Elris: I have loved all of Elris’ releases and I was getting worried about them being inactive for a whole year. But now they’re back and with 2 new members! The song was conflicting for me at first. The pre-chorus and chorus was really good and bright, just what Kpop needs right now. But the rapping and the “La-la-la-later” part just sound off and obnoxious to me for some reason. But I have grown past it and just enjoy the song as a whole. Plus, their mini album is one of the best of the year so far.

Fiesta – IZ*ONE: ngl I though Iz*One was over when the whole rigged thing came out. But they eventually comeback with the much-anticipated Fiesta. There’s a lot going on with this song, and the MV. And that’s why it was hard for me to digest everything at first cause the whole song just seems like a big bowl of salsa. But at the end, I appreciate the complex of the song and its effort to create a festive mood. Now I think it has one of the best chorus of the year so far.

Wannabe – Itzy: I feel like Itzy went kinda safe this time but it’s not a bad thing. I really like the chorus’s melody and hook part. But that’s just about it because I’m not a fan of the other parts of the song.

Disappoints

Scream – Dreamcatcher: I absolutely adore Dreamcatcher’s music, in fact, Deja Vu was my favorite song that was released last year. So of course the news of their first full album got me super stoked. However, the decision to leave their rock sound for a more EDM sound doesn’t really do it for me. I’m definitely not a fan of instrumental chorus and this song was exactly it. Plus, the rest of the song also doesn’t quite live up to Dreamcatcher’s usual pretty melodies. It doesn’t help that my bias Handong is out of this comeback too, sigh.

Hands up – Cherry bullet: Q&A was my favorite debut of 2019, so I have a soft spot for Cherry Bullet. However, this release was not my cup of tea. I get that they’re trying to jump on the girl-crush trend but I’m just tired of that trend now. The song rely on the catchy hook but it’s just not melodic enough for me.

Nun Nu Nan Na – Cignature: In case you don’t know, 5 out of 7 Cignature members were members of the now disbanded Good Day. I looooove Good Day’s music and I was so ready to stan because of their musical-like and cheerful songs but sadly, their company abandoned them after just one album. So I was really excited when at least some of them are redebuting in the same group. However, this debut just wasn’t for me. The chorus just sounds too noisy for me and the rest of the song also fell flat for me. Plus, their former main vocalist didn’t return, so I feel like there wasn’t a strong enough vocalist to carry the song. However, I really like the members and I really wish that it works out for them this time around.

It’s cute i guess…

Good Guy – SF9 : It’s good on first listen and still good now. But I guess it’s kinda similar to Now or Never, but not as good so I don’t really feel excited about it. So glad that they are now doing well, though.

Dun Dun – Everglow: It’s definitely catchy, but that’s it. It doesn’t have the same spice, unique personality that Bon Bon Chocolat have. I know girl-crush is their thing but I do hope they can switch it up somehow next time.

Lay Back – Verivery: It’s a nice song. Idk what else to add…

Dear Me – Taeyeon: The title song honestly kinda disappoint me, I was expecting it to be more emotional, something like Fine. But the two new B-sides were so gorgeous. Anyway, Taeyeon has been through so much, all I can ask for is that she can be happy with the loved ones around her.

Uhm idk…

Bouncy – Rocket Punch: This song is so weird to me, like idk how to feel about it. It’s definitely fun and bright, just what I like, but then they add these speaking/rapping/chanting lines that just sound kinda obnoxious to me. I still don’t know how to feel about it lol.

Kick it – NCT 127: I’m not really a fan of NCT’s music in general, and this time isn’t an exception. The rapping doesn’t do anything for me, though I do like the singing part. One praise I would give them is the concept. I like the use of bright color despite it being a strong, cool concept.

Howling – Victon: I listen to this song once and I forgot how it sounded, yeah… Glad they’re doing well, though.

ON – BTS: It sounds like a BTS song. Like, it just sounds like what I expect a BTS song would sound like. It’s just very them. It’s just not something I would usually listen to.

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So if there’s any releases that I didn’t mention, it might be because I have yet to listen to it, or I just don’t have an opinion on it, or I might just forgot about it.

Well then, bye.