[Bonus] The Late Report: November 2019

My blog and random breaks, name a more iconic duo. It's been a rough time across the holidays...I won't front, my mental state has been in disarray for a while and even before that. Still, I'm gonna keep fighting and writing, as the latter is one of my most surefire ways to focus and recenter. I have some typical end of the year stuff to wrap up 2019, and we'll start December as we should any month: with the Late Report.

(G)I-DLE - Lion

I dread writing this group name every. Single. Time. Anyway "Lion" is their most complete work in their short careers thus far. The usual contributors are doing their thing: Yuqi and Soojin have their beautiful voices, while Soyeon drops yet another bomb rap break. But then the surprises like Miyeon rocking the chorus and sounding her best since "Pop/Stars," Minnie getting her chances to shine, and Shuhua getting more lines! This is as balanced a performance you'll ever see, and they continue to improve with every subsequent release.

Sungmin - Orgel

Holy shit remember when Sungmin was active in the music industry? Pepperidge Farm remembers. Then he got "cast" out of the group by Super Junior fans for being selfish and doing atrocious things like getting married. He was never the vocal juggernaut that others like Kyuhyun and Yesung were but has always possessed an extremely consistent and stable voice. "Orgel" is an autumn breeze kind of song which fits his skillset perfectly. The fact that this is promoted by Label SJ gives me hope he will have a formal return to the group at some point in the future.

Hyuna - Flower Shower

It's easy to forget in a vast sea of superstar female solo acts that Hyuna was one of the very first. She has conquered groups, labels, and time in her journey and with joining Psy's P Nation earlier this year she ain't stopping anytime soon. "Flower Shower" is an instant classic with the vibrant aethetics and aggressively suggestive choreography, both of which are staples of Hyuna's work. It's not as in-your-face as some of her other singles, and honestly feels like it could've been a 4minute song too. P Nation is off to a strong start and with Hyuna as the flagship artist they look poised to make future waves.

IU - Blueming

Speaking of the greats, here's IU and "Blueming." I feel like she can do wrong haha. Every release has her signature sound but with enough variation to keep things as refreshing to listen to as her voice is. The chorus of "Blueming" has a little more rock influence with the electric guitar and pairs nicely with her soothing vocals. Now is also a great time to mention that IU only turned 26 in May, so her reign as one of the queens of Kpop is gonna be active for a long long long long time. Praise be unto her.

True Damage - Giants

Another League project group assembled, another straight banger. Felt like people were disappointed in "Giants" for some reason? But damn bro not sure what you're listening to. The production and instrumentals are once again top notch, while the rapping from Duckwrth and Thutmose is as impressive as it is fluid. Soyeon is more of a complimentary piece this time around but she still kills her part. Becky G and Keke Palmer have powerful voices that they use to great effect here. It's funny since I never knew Keke did music as my only exposure to her was back when my sisters would watch True Jackson, VP. From True Jackson to True Damage haha. Shoutouts to this song utilizing three languages, none of which sound out of place at any position. Also the live performance of this at the World Championship Finals is worth mentioning because everyone did a fantastic job. Soyeon wanted to go hard so bad.