Battle of the B-Sides: Kara Edition

Okay-pop’s title tracks would possibly achieve most of listeners’ consideration, however many album tracks are price equal highlight. I name these “buried treasures.”

Past this, Okay-pop’s albums ship 1000’s of further tracks that accept a extra restricted viewers. It’s these songs that may develop into part of my “battle of the b-sides” function.

On this function, I’ll be placing on my A&R hat and taking a hear to 5 randomly-selected Okay-pop b-sides. I’ll write a mini evaluate for every, together with a Bias Listing score, and rank them from least to most favourite. The winner will be a part of a particular Bias Listing B-side playlist. Consider it like my very own little company, hand-selecting songs I’d prefer to pitch to my nonexistent artists!

You may try all rounds of my Battle of the B-sides right here!

Oxygen (2022)

With Kara making their long-awaited comeback final week, it’s the right time to offer them their very own Battle of the B-sides function! We’ll kick off with a b-side from their just-released album: the emotive ballad Oxygen. My thoughts doesn’t instantly go to ballads once I consider Kara’s music, however I suppose a music like this was inevitable at this level. The women sound nice and there are some good melodic prospers right here – significantly within the refrain. I like how stripped again the association is. It establishes sentiment with out leaning on apparent touches.

Similar Coronary heart (똑 같은 맘) (2009)

Kara weren’t mendacity after they titled this album “Revolution.” Its follow-up single Mr. took the trade by storm and immortalized the group without end. The remainder of the album is stuffed with sturdy dance pop that encapsulates Okay-pop’s early wave of Sweetune goodness. Similar Coronary heart is pleasing, if slight. Its bounding, synth-fueled beat nearly jogs my memory of a polka, although it’s given extra of an influence pop sheen. The vocal layering within the refrain elevates the entire thing. Similar Coronary heart was really given a funds music video, however was by no means an official single.

Method (2012)

Method opens the group’s Pandora album with a barely extra mature sound, although it’s pure Sweetune bliss via and thru. The music harnesses a sprightly electro beat, ornamented with orchestral synths that give it a swoopy, seesawing power. There are parts of the music that flirt with a muted, jazzy fashion, however we finish issues on a excessive as Method climaxes in a stunning key change. It’s a beautiful center floor between pure pop and quirky novelty.

What’s This (이게뭐야) (2008)

Sweetune have been simply starting to seek out their method in 2008 and What’s This delivers many hallmarks that might later grow to be unbelievable pop music. It’s pushed by celebratory brass synth, overdriven guitars and a light-on-its-feet beat that retains issues sugary candy. The percussion within the second verse is an actual deal with, throwing a curveball with out dropping momentum. And although a stronger sequence of melodies would put this excessive, What’s This remains to be very strong early-Kara materials. Curiously, a “plastic” model of this music was launched a 12 months later. It has extra of a processed, digital really feel.

2Night (2013)

Kara get their groove on with the shimmering dance pop of 2Night. At this level, their producers have been in peak type and we hear that talent throughout this monitor. It’s funky and vivid and filled with satisfying prospers. Regardless of sounding very Sweetune in execution, that is really a Full8loom manufacturing. It represents a slight evolution within the group’s sound, pushed by synths and dance flooring grooves as earlier than, however just a bit sultrier.

Fifth: Oxygen
Fourth: Similar Coronary heart
Third: What’s This
Second: Method

First: 2Night

Congratulations to Kara’s 2Night – the fifty-second winner of my Battle of the B-sides!

Readers, what do you assume? Did you uncover any hidden gems? Go away your personal rating within the feedback!