[Bonus] Best Of 4minute

Happy 4th of July or something. 4minute had their debut roughly two weeks ago with "Hot Issue" and became a strong girl group that ultimately found their demise at the hands of Cube and their own superstar monster they created. Let's take a retrospective at their career and single out their best singles from their fiesty beginning to somber end.

#10. 24/7

Kinda unfortunate that one of the tracks here is from the subunit because they have more than enough material to have all title tracks here if they were worthy. Oh well. Gayoon and Jiyoon combined forces to make 2YOON and they delivered something...different. Kpop has likely never infused pop with country before and that's what "24/7" was all about.

#9. Hot Issue

This was their debut song and although it hasn't aged that well, "Hot Issue" was a hot issue back during their day and for the late 2000's era it was very appropriate. Whether it still holds up now is a side bonus at this point considering the group disbanded. Hell, some girl groups today have songs that emulate some of the cringier moments here so if anything it shows how powerful 4minute were throughout their years.

#8. HuH

Part of me kinda misses these cheesy intros in old Kpop videos. Anyway "Hit Your Heart" was an immediate step forward for 4minute in both the style of the music and their persona on stage. The charisma is striking out of members like Jiyoon and Hyuna while the other members stepped it up from their first year in the industry. The choreography is hella underrated, and prior to some of their songs at the tail end of their career this was their most iconic or memorable dance. "HuH" also houses my favorite Hyuna rap of all time: she's got youthful energy and plenty of sass we'd see later.

#7. Hate

You guys like dubstep? Well too bad instead you get blaring horns or tubas or whatever. "Hate" was the final piece in the 4minute (career) puzzle, and it was pretty decent. Perhaps fittingly, Hyuna's verse and bridge are the most beautiful parts of the song. Her parts, the dance, and visuals help balance out the negative of a weak prechorus and Jiyoon rap. I'll always lament how they didn't go hard dubstep for the chorus or break. Oh well.

#6. Change

This remains one of the most hype debuts for a girl group member in Kpop history, and continues the tradition of having these group Best Of posts contain some individual material. Hyuna started in Wonder Girls, joined 4minute, but she became a superstar with "Change." Or at least showed us she could become said superstar. Unlike some of the other earlier entries on this post, "Change" has withstood the test of time and is really Hyuna's best work. Even Junhyung's inclusion was well-utilized, and this featuring of other labelmates was smart of Cube to do.

#5. Cold Rain

"Cold Rain" technically qualifies as a title track since there was a music video and they performed the song on shows, and as we all know technically correct is the best kind of correct. This song is unique because it's really the only time we ever saw this slower sentimental side of 4minute since they're usually always pumping up the volume with high energy dance numbers. Gayoon headlines the track with her gorgeous voice and Hyuna's rap verse is splendid, too. Jiyoon continued to flaunt her versatility while Jihyun and Sohyun...existed. Sometimes it do be like that.

#4. Volume Up

This is how those saxophones should be used. "Hate" should have taken notes. "Volume Up" literally turned the volume up with that dramatic climb from prechorus to chorus. Watching this MV again, I realized they've given Jiyoon a short haircut in many of their comebacks. Besides doing her dirty, everyone else looked really good and some of those outfits (the black and red ones in particular) were stunning. This unironically may have been peak 4minute visuals if not for their stylist's hatred for Jiyoon growing her hair out.

#3. Whatcha Doin' Today

Death, taxes, and Hyuna being the star of the show in a 4minute song. Cube put everything on her because of her popularity and talent. Sometimes it worked out fantastically and this was one of those instances. The hook is simple, catchy, and gets the job done. "Whatcha Doin' Today" also featured their best dance showing since "HuH" and would lead into the most eye-catching choreographies of "Crazy" and "Hate," a stepping stone to greatness.

#2. I My Me Mine

Sometimes, the most overpowering emotion of all is nostalgia bias. Still, you can't tell me "I My Me Mine" isn't a straight banger. Yeah, the autotune is a tad excessive and the English tacky but both of these problems were more forgivable back in the day. The song is electric and keeps that exhilarating feeling throughout. And that bridge! No matter how many times I listen to it, I get chills from Gayoon's voice even when I know that glorious high note is coming. This could actually have been the song that sparked my passionate love for songs with killer bridges.

#1. Crazy

No surprise that one of the top songs of 2015 stands alone at the top for 4minute. "Crazy" slaps you in the face with energy from every single part of the song - yes, even Jihyun's underwhelming part. Everyone else does their usual job at being elite vocalists or rappers. Even Sohyun does double duty to a pretty well degree. Forget what I said about their appearance in "Volume Up," this is actually peak 4minute visuals. Finally, the choreography is excellent in variety and action. After Hyuna herself, this dance (and subsequently song) is what people should remember the most about 4minute. Really wish I could've finished this post for 4:00 but oh well. Enjoy the festivities today / this weekend.