With such a busy slate of Ok-pop releases, I don’t at all times have an opportunity to rave about a few of my favourite J-pop. This week, I’ll be giving an outline of a few of my favourite acts and songs. Hopefully you’ll discover a new obsession so as to add to your playlist!
Why I Love The Rampage (and you must too)
They’re badass. Critically, they’re a veritable military of performers – 13 dancers and three vocalists to be precise. Their music combines anthemic rock with hard-hitting hip-hop, blazing techno and retro funk. I like the members’ vocal tones, however particularly I feel the group’s middle Kawamura Kazuma is among the most gifted, charismatic J-pop performers on the market. His wealthy tone is equally fascinating whether or not he’s singing or rapping.
The group’s music is immensely satisfying. The primary few years of their discography maintain the overwhelming majority of my favourite Rampage songs, however the guys are nonetheless going sturdy at this time. In actual fact, they launched my favourite J-pop tune of October. For Ok-pop followers, you’ll acknowledge lots of the similar tropes acquainted to the Korean idol trade, however arguably carried out with extra panache.
And what’s “Exile Tribe”?
Assume NCT — at the very least how NCT was conceptualized once they first launched. Exile Tribe consists of its flagship group Exile, who’ve been round since 2001 in varied iterations, and a bunch of teams beneath the Exile umbrella that every have their very own sound and specialty. Some members are energetic in each Exile and a spin-off group they usually usually mix forces for some actually cool music and efficiency spectacles.
My High 5 Singles
5. Soiled Disco (2017)
Soiled Disco is my favourite of the group’s lighter singles — an ebullient blast of retro funk. (full tune)
Ranking: 9.25
4. 100 Levels (2017)
A pitch-perfect interpolation of 90’s west coast hip-hop. They discover a killer groove and work the hell out of it. (full tune)
Ranking: 9.5
3. Arduous Hit (2018)
Fueled by a thundering beat, Arduous Hit is the literal sound of a gaggle throwing down the gauntlet. (full tune)
Ranking: 9.5
2. Fullmetal Set off (2019)
The mix of hovering vocals, sharp rap and headbanging guitar throughout the refrain is perfection. This one hits like a ton of bricks. It will get higher with each play.
Ranking: 10
1. Swag & Delight (2019)
A hulking rock assault, full of potent melodies, blistering power and highly effective performances. It’s the tune that turned me from an off-the-cuff fan of all issues Exile to a full-on convert.
Ranking: 10
My High 5 B-Sides
5. Down By Legislation (2019)
Down By Legislation is pure, sugary funk pop and I like each second of its upbeat grooves and glossy hooks.
Ranking: 9
4. Summer season Days (2019)
A breezy home dance observe with simply sufficient of that Rampage punch to offer it some oomph. As you could have guessed, it’s good for summer season.
Ranking: 9
3. Elevation (2017)
You’ll discover a theme in my prime three. Although they’ve but to launch a single on this style, I’m obsessive about The Rampage’s tackle ravey techno.
Ranking: 9.5
2. Dream On (2018)
Simply take heed to that glistening synth arpeggio that opens the observe! I imply, actually soak in how transcendent that sound is. What a shot of adrenaline.
Ranking: 9.5
1. Soar (2022)
Van Halen’s Soar is already one in every of my favourite songs. The very fact The Rampage repackaged it as a hyper pop rave features my everlasting gratitude and admiration. (full overview)
Ranking: 10
