Top Kpop Singles Roundup – January 2017

New year new project! Besides reviewing Kpop albums, we’re also going to give more deserving attention to singles and one-off collaborations this year. We’ll curate a monthly roundup of the best Kpop singles released in that month so you won’t miss any of the awesome tracks. Now, let’s dig into our first roundup of January 2017 singles that stretch across a diverse spectrum of genres, in the order they were released in.

S.E.S – Paradise

The original Kpop fairies are back after more than a decade! Paradise is a new jack swing ditty that’s somehow reminiscent of the 90’s when S.E.S ruled, yet modern and groovy at the same time. This earworm will surely capture your attention and make you fall in love with them all over again. Personally, this is one of my favorite singles of the month.

AOA – Excuse Me

Excuse Me is representative of AOA’s hypnotic synthpop roots as defined by their consistent collaborations with Brave Brothers. It’s a sultry, fast-paced track with significant R&B influences. The bright melody, rapid progression of chords, and AOA’s dreamy vocals can easily make you fall into a trance.

Akdong Musician – 오랜 날 오랜 밤 (Last Goodbye)

Creatively sampling a famous classical music piece from Canon in D, Last Goodbye is an euphonious acoustic ballad that is soft on the ears. But what makes it better than other similar songs is its dynamic use of instruments, so the composition is more varied and therefore, more interesting. Plus, Akdong Musician’s sonorous voices truly shine here.

Cosmic Girls – 너에게 닿기를 (I Wish)

I Wish is a dreamlike, youthful synthpop number that’s equal parts alluring and energetic. What makes it more compelling is the introduction of R&B influences in this ditty, such as the classy beat, the rhythmic drum beats, and the occasional appearances of auto-tune.

NCT 127 – 무한적아 (Limitless)

Limitless is an extremely addictive and sonorous urban trap song that starts with a hooking drum beat. This thumping track features a unique rap flow with plenty of electric sounds. Limitless smoothes out a bit in the chorus with piano complementing the vocals quite well.

Day6 – 아 왜 (I Wait)

Day6 surprised me with the intro of I Wait, where the initial bending notes coupled with hip hop-esque synth beats had the illusion of a GOT7 song. But, their true colors soon shone through during the chorus as the pounding beat, heavy guitar, and roaring vocals bring out the rocker in all of us. I Wait is truly a unique piece of work and another one of my favorite singles of the month.

Ravi – 나홀로집에 (Home Alone)

An unlikely pair, Ravi and CNBLUE’s Jung Yong Hwa team up to deliver a track with a brand new feel. Home Alone is a bright and mood lifting acoustic number that frankly feels more like a CNBLUE song featuring Ravi. Nonetheless, the lightness of Ravi’s rap works harmoniously alongside Yong Hwa’s succulent vocals.

Ravi – BOMB

BOMB is a hard-hitting hip hop rap track with powerful energy and more swag than you can handle. Ravi teams up with veteran rapper San E in this orchestrated trap track. With an addicting beat, and edgy words, Ravi exudes confidence as he switches up his flow to show how talented he is.

Hello Venus – Mysterious

Playful whistle sounds, jumpy piano chords, and rhythmic beats give Mysterious an immediate sense of curious anticipation. The verse and chorus continue the flirtiness with synths and Hello Venus’ cheery vocals. Mysterious is a bubbly disco pop tune that’s sure to make you bob your head along.

Jun.K – No Shadow

Jazzy horn sounds and snaps open No Shadow with Jun.K’s hauntingly sensual voice sprinkled on top. This sweltering, magnetic tune has a definite R&B and soul flavor not so foreign to Jun.K, but mixes in unexpected modern elements to make it special. There is even a trap section featuring Jun.K’s rap in this stylistic track.

Niel – 날 울리지마 (Love Affair)

Love Affair is a hip hop R&B inspired track with a smooth and hooky melody that you can pick up instantly. The groovy guitar and synth combination brings a bluesy vibe. Niel’s emotional falsettos and beltings further decorate this mid tempo song. Giant Pink’s rap, though noticeably short, definitely added a sprinkle of needed spice as well.

CLC – 도깨비 (Hobgoblin)

Unlike CLC’s past sweet and sugary pop tunes, Hobgoblin shocked me with its fiery vocals and sassy top-notch beat lining the whole way through. The buildup in energy as the song switches from the verses to the chorus is totally unexpected and original, and transcends CLC into the ultimate 4Minute successor.

Seohyun – Don’t Say No

Don’t Say No is a classy dance track that takes you back in time to the golden days of 90’s pop genre. Seohyun effectively expresses her uniqueness and confident vocals here, through a nostalgic, yet refreshing anthem that shines amidst the sea of sameness in the Kpop industry.

Park Kyung – Memories

Memories is a distinctive number where heartfelt acoustic ballad meets somber rap. The beautifully simple yet bleak guitar strokes is the only embellishment to Park Kyung’s emotional words that tell a regretful story of not appreciating your loved ones as much as you should have while together.

2NE1 – Goodbye

This unplugged R&B ballad single is particularly special and sentimental because Goodbye is the farewell song by the beloved group 2NE1. Needlessly to say, the wistful acoustic guitar and the girls’ winding vocals all seem to contain an extra dose of sadness as they say goodbye and promise to meet again.

Heize – Round and Round

Round and Round is a dreamy and pensive number with interweaving twinkling synths and dramatic organ sounds. Add on top Heize’s haunting vocals, the whole song gives off a sense of void and loneliness, like you’re standing at a crossroads looking into the starry sky. It’s the perfect backdrop for the fantastical story of Goblin.

Suzy – Yes No Maybe

Mystic and whimsy fill this trendy dance pop song with upbeat tempo and distorted synths. The steady clapping rhythm and repetitive melody during the chorus is a signature JYP move, found in a number of Wonder Girls and Miss A songs. Yet the unique synths and echoing sounds permeating throughout the background help make Yes No Maybe sound fresh.

Imfact – In the Club

From its title, you might think In the Club is a beat pounding party ditty. However, it turned out to be a catchy and tender ballad-hip hop fusion track with an easy on the ear melody that immediately draws you in. Imfact gently and longingly sings about how they miss their soulmate even if they go to the club and dance with other women.

What Do You Think?

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