Top Kpop Singles Roundup – February 2017

Compared to January’s singles roundup filled with idols and group comebacks, we’re glad to see a lot more diversity in February especially from solo and less mainstream artists. Of course, we have our usual idol group hits, but this month’s unexpected genre mixes and ingenious collaborations are key highlights. Here’s our February 2017 singles roundup, in order of time of release.

Zion.T – The Song

The Song opens with simple and light piano chords followed by jazzy snaps. There are many elements in The Song that make it a distinctive masterpiece: rhythmic hip hop drum beats, splashes of pipe organ, and Zion.T’s rap skills. The quirkiness of the track allows Zion.T’s unique color to truly shine through.

Yoo Jae Hwan + Dongwoon – Universe

Universe is an instant mood lifter. The bright and peppy piano and bass sounds provide the perfect backdrop for Dongwoon and Yeosub’s energetic vocals. The liveliness of this funk pop collaboration reminds me of a Bruno Mars song, and certainly makes me want to get up and dance along.

Suho + Song Young Joo – Curtain

EXO’s Suho teams up with jazz pianist Song Young Joo to bring us an R&B ballad showpiece titled Curtain. The sonorous lone piano serves as the sentimental canvas for Suho’s winding vocals to traverse between low and high registers effortlessly.

Block B – Yesterday

Yesterday is Kpop at its best — vivacious melody, energetic beats, and dynamic backtrack atop buoyant vocals and swagger-filled raps. It’s no wonder that Block B achieved an all-kill shortly after releasing this uptempo pop ditty. Yesterday is a frisky number that you can listen to for a long time to come.

Sandeul – 한 걸음만 더 (One More Step)

This ballad OST has a beautiful melody backed by gentle piano and acoustic guitar, but the highlight of the song is Sandeul’s heartfelt and velvety singing. One More Step is simply a superb demonstration of what happens when you meld a mellifluous composition with an exquisite vocal delivery.

Crucial Star + Babylon – 쉬어도 돼 (You Can Rest)

This groovy R&B hip hop track has a catchy beat and flow that’s easy on the ears and immediately memorable. The acoustic piano sounds, violin strings, and tongue click beat soften Crucial Star’s fast rap while Babylon’s velvety vocals add more emotion to the song. The most special part of You Can Rest is its heartfelt lyrics talking about the sacrifices that moms make.

NCT Dream – 마지막 첫사랑 (My First and Last)

My First And Last is an energetic and catchy pop ditty that shows how cute these young boys can possibly be. Their high-pitched sweet singing and the low-pitched booming beat is an improbable but appealing combination, and I believe that’s why the song is so memorable.

BTS – Not Today

After showing a softer and more sensual side in their previous album Wings, BTS brings back their specialty of creating hard-hitting, edgy, hip hop-pop anthems with Not Today. Not Today’s got it all, clamorous synths, heavy beats, power vocals, and of course, audacious raps. These strong elements harmoniously mix together to create a track that’ll dominate your ears.

B.I.G – 1.2.3

B.I.G has been under the radar for some time now, but I’m pleasantly surprised with their latest comeback single 1.2.3. It’s a cheerful upbeat dance pop number that quickly wakes you up with its fast electric guitar strumming and colorful synths. The best part is the boys’ multi-layered falsettos that really breathe life into this funky song.

Jang Jun + Young Taek – 가뭄 (Drought)

Woolim’s latest W project features two newcomer artists that truly impressed me with their creative talents. Jazzy synthetic keyboard notes and quirky synths immediately establishes a swingy atmosphere. Add on top the boys bluesy vocals and dynamic rap, Drought’s got the perfect blend of groove and stop and go rhythm.

Soyou + Baekhyun – 비가 와 (Rain)

Two of the best vocalists in the Kpop industry team up to delivery a quiet and sentimental ballad full of tenderness and deep emotions. The melodic violin strings and light piano notes of Rain paint the perfect backdrop against Soyou’s airy voice and Baekhyun’s sweet vocals. The back and forth of their singing creates a sorrowful dialogue between a pair of lovers.

Melody Day – Kiss On the Lips

Kiss On The Lips truly shows Melody Day’s full colors as it takes a sharp turn from the group’s previous singles — melancholic ballads or cutesy pop tunes. It’s a sultry and retro party track with a hot tropical party vibe thanks to the use of reggae elements. While the song is definitely not subtle in its meaning, we welcome and appreciate the girls’ unexpected change.

Krystal + June One Kim – I Don’t Wanna Love You

Props to Krystal for bringing us one of the most unique singles on the list. I Don’t Wanna Love You is an equal part whimsy and eerie hipster lounge track rarely heard in the Kpop industry. The aura of the song is dreamy, mysterious, spacey, and modern all at the same time. This track is like a tranquilizer that slowly puts your mind and soul to peace.

K.A.R.D – Don’t Recall

Korea’s latest co-ed group K.A.R.D is back with their second single Don’t Recall and it’s an even bigger step up from the last one. This R&B hip hop number has the perfect mixture of vibrant synths, a groovy melody, punchy beat, and awesome vocal delivery. All of these elements harmoniously layer on top of each other to create an incredibly catchy tune. Don’t Recall is easily one of my favorite singles of the month.

Twice – Knock Knock

Kpop’s super cheerleaders strike again with their youthful energy and hooky notes in this dance pop song. Unlike Twice’s previous singles that feature their signature bending vocals and curvy melody, Knock Knock has a flatter tune but leverages repetition, rhythmic changes, and group chants to create addictiveness similar in effect to I.O.I’s Very Very Very.

Gavy NJ – 뻔한 멜로 (An Obvious Melo)

The ballad trio Gavy NJ’s long awaited comeback, An Obvious Melo, does not disappoint. The girls brought a creatively produced number mixing in their usual soulful ballad flair with sensual flamenco guitar elements. The resulting song is well, melodramatic and impactful on your ears, especially when coupled with the girls’ powerful vocal harmonies.

Subin – 동그라미의 꿈 (Circle’s Dream)

Another distinctive track is born out of Subin of Dal Shabet. Circle’s Dream is an indie pop tune with a little bit of soul, a little bit folk, and a whole lot of personality. The melody and backtrack composition are totally unexpected, original, and full of taste. The lyrics are equally artistic, alluding to getting hurt for being round in life and wanting to have angles to be prickly.

Taeyeon – Fine

Light acoustic guitar strumming and Taeyeon’s smooth voice opens Fine gently, but it soon kicks up in intensity with full-on drum beats and belting vocals during the chorus. Despite the lyrics talking about not being fine, this alternative rock ballad track gives an uplifting and relieving feel, as if shouting your heart out in an open field.

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