[Bonus] Best Of 2013 (#12-#9)

I would characterize the 2013 year as a year ripe with drama. Dating exposure was crazy, and relationships were discovered everywhere. This year also saw and might mark the “end” of some veteran staple groups potentially losing members like KARA, inactivity from TVXQ, and future army enlistment in Big Bang. However, there was some damn good music this year from January to December, so we’ll be covering my top 12 best of this year.
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12. Davichi - Be Warmed (feat. Verbal Jint)

Davichi has been steadily progressing throughout the years, and “Be Warmed” is something moving that I haven’t seen since the likes of “Don’t Say Goodbye”. The instrumental at the opening is pretty, leading into the strong vocals. The chorus has had me hooked since the release, and it’s rare a ballad has the quality of making me sing along every time. Verbal Jint is a solid rapper and his appearance is more than welcome, but his lines seemed lackluster compared to the power vocals from Minkyung and Haeri. Nonetheless, Davichi’s powerful and emotional vocals push past the mediocrity from Verbal Jint into 12th place.

11. JeA - Days & Nights (feat. Eric Benet)

Funnily enough, the other song that was competing with JeA for this placing was M&N’s “Tonight”. Nonetheless, some variant of Brown Eyed Girls earns a spot on the list. The emotional and soulful sound from JeA and Eric Benet work wonders throughout the song, and the pronunciation was excellent all around from JeA’s English to Eric’s Korean. Both of the exchanges were really surprising and impressive. The chorus gets caught in a loop for a while, with a good bridge in crescendo, and the harmonization work between the two can be equally addicting.

10. Younha - The Reason We Broke Up

Younha at first glance, took a fall from her spot last year at #2 with her placing here at #10 with “The Reason We Broke Up” but don’t worry. “The Reason We Broke Up” is much softer and less complex, but the beauty lies in the simplicity and beauty of Younha’s vocals. There’s plenty of variance and a delightful mixture of emotions, consistency, and power. It’s friendly, moving, and met with a artistically crafted music video.

9. Davichi - Because I’m Missing You Today

Oh hi Davichi, I didn’t expect to see you so soon. But here we are. “Because I’m Missing You Today” is full of bright and lively emotion as long as the song’s title (in both English and Korean). Compared to the darker more intense sounds of “Be Warmed”, “Because I’m Missing You Today” keeps the same tempo and paces very strongly (since there is no awkward rap break) and is matched by Minkyung and Haeri’s serious tones that carry a tint of cheer in them. My only complaint is that the belts during the second chorus and on are so quiet and restricted, and I do love me some Davichi belts.