BTS - Butterfly
Perhaps the hottest boy group right now is BTS. And while they're often known for their insane choreography and in-your-face energy, they have some really great stuff on the slower side of the spectrum. "Butterfly" is a classic example and both the singers and rappers restrain themselves wonderfully. Despite the mass amount of falsetto, it's a rare instance where it works given the pace of the song. BTS shows that you don't need excellent vocalists to have excellent ballads.
Younha - Realize After Breakup (feat. Kim Bumsoo)
As mentioned previously, Younha has seen her fair share of strong collaborations. This was a top-end ballad of 2009, and the names alone reveal why. Contrasting Kim Bumsoo's sharp voice is Younha's more clear and rounded one. They combine for wonderful harmonies throughout the song and easily make this piece a karaoke classic. Neither singer overpowers the other, which is a quality I really love seeing in duets (even if it's rather uncommon). Impressive singing from start to finish, what more could you ask for?
EXID - Like The Seasons
Don't let the title mislead you, this song is very fitting for a cool autumn day more than anything else. The song is (as usual) highlighted by Solji and LE, but truth be told this is one of EXID's best songs in terms of their overall vocal performance. Hani and Junghwa provide fantastic additions to the bridge of "Like The Seasons," while Hyerin continues to develop herself as a strong #2 to Solji. The sweet tones of EXID make this an extremely calming song.
2AM - You're Prettier The More I See You
These ballad experts faded quietly in the twilight of their career together, but the "Nocturne" EP had a pocketful of delights and this was my favorite. For some reason, the mixture of pop and ballad elements resulted in a pleasant song that got stuck in my head for days. In a time where groups seem to be trying very hard to reach every kind of genre, it's nice to see that sometimes all you need is a simple blend of styles while keeping your signature sound.
f(x) - Cash Me Out
The "4 Walls" album was full of stars, which made choosing just one B-side difficult. Originally I was leaning towards "Traveler" with Zico, but "Cash Me Out" houses more of the energetic pop sound that f(x) thrived on in their early days. Like many other songs on the album, they have a great accompanying instrumental. Not as mystifying as the one in "4 Walls," but this one is fun and emphatic, matching the feel of the song. Take "La Cha Ta" and "Chu~," polish their looks and what you have is the mature "Cash Me Out."
Brown Eyed Girls - Wave
One of my favorite B-sides from last year. Brown Eyed Girls' "Wave" is an electrifying lullaby. The instrumental has both soothing and seething energies, and really drives the song. Narsha, Gain, and Jea grab your attention with their soft vocals and delightful harmonies - the chorus combined with the instrumental is extremely addicting. Additionally, Miryo drops one of the longest and deadliest raps of 2015. Out of the variety on the "Basic" album this was the clear favorite. All in all a masterpiece. There's a reason this group is still going strong after 10 years.
San E & Mad Clown - Lonely Animals (feat. Brother Su)
Maybe it's because I've been mellowed out by school, but this is the kind of mood I've been in. These slower tempo songs with relaxed feels are what's fueling me through the days. Of course, lighthearted rapping and soothing vocals are a combination I can get behind on any day in any mood. This is part of what makes San E so good. His ability to match different atmospheres as a rapper is really impressive, though not to take anything away from Mad Clown, either. I'll always be for this duo working together.
No comments:
Post a Comment