On the finish of every month, I look again at my three favourite title tracks by Okay-pop artists. I take my very own rankings into consideration, however there’s a little bit of wiggle room as sure songs are inclined to develop or fade.
January 2023 General Ideas
For the second month in a row, I couldn’t actually discover any songs to position in my “high three.” I picked songs anyway, however they’re basically placeholders and are very topic to alter. I haven’t replayed any of them various occasions and I can’t see something from this month happening to be an everlasting favourite. With that mentioned, you’ll most likely be stunned by my quantity three selection since I used to be so flummoxed by it on launch day! I’m nonetheless not fully offered, however I’ve determined to attempt to concentrate on its strengths quite than its shortcomings.
Nevertheless, simply because I’m tired of Okay-pop in the intervening time doesn’t imply I wasn’t listening to any music this January. Actually, my playlists have been stacked. I’ve taken deep dives into avenues of J-pop historical past I hadn’t but explored and listened to fairly just a few nice standouts from different international locations. And simply final week there have been two albums launched that I’m completely in love with.
Mid-way via the month, I used to be shocked at how quiet the Okay-pop trade had change into. Then, I remembered this yr’s Lunar New Yr occurred throughout mid-January as an alternative of early February. That explains the vacant launch schedule. On the plus aspect, this implies February needs to be uncharacteristically busy. The trade may actually use a jolt of vitality. Every thing in the intervening time feels so predictable and samey — each title tracks and b-sides.
J-pop had a extra fruitful month, although I can’t say there was one track that stood far above every part else. It was tough to select my high observe of January, however there have been many honorable mentions. Considered one of my resolutions this yr is to maintain up with J-pop releases much more carefully than I’ve earlier than. Ultimately, this will likely imply a separate month-to-month round-up only for them. In the intervening time, I’m extra excited by what’s taking place in Japan than Korea — no less than in the case of range of sound and style.
Right here’s hoping February sweeps in and turns this lumbering Okay-pop ship round as a result of these final eight weeks have been brutally boring. There are some promising comebacks on the horizon, so I feel there’s purpose to be optimistic.
Month Cumulative Ranking: 7.8
(compiled by averaging the scores of each Okay-pop evaluate from this month)
J-Pop Highlights
DISH// – Ban Ban Zai (video)
J Soul Brothers – Stars (video)
Kaela Kimura – Magnetic (ft. AI) (video)
KinKi Youngsters – The Story Of Us (video)
The Final Rockstars – The Final Rockstars (video)
Lil League – Hunter (video)
OnlyOneOf – chrOme arts (evaluate)
Sakurazaka46 – Sakuratsuki (video)
TVXQ – Parallel Parallel (evaluate)
Yuma Nakayama – Weekend (video)
TOP J-POP SONG OF THE MONTH
Official HIGE DANdism – White Noise
Honorable Mentions
BXB – Fly Away (evaluate)
Cignature – Aura (evaluate)
H1-KEY – Rose Blossom (evaluate)
ILY:1 – Twinkle, Twinkle (evaluate)
Monsta X – Lovely Liar (evaluate)
9 (OnlyOneOf) – Past (evaluate)
SF9 – Puzzle (evaluate)
THE7 – Get Free (evaluate)
This Month’s Risers and Fallers
TOP THREE SONGS
3. TXT – Sugar Rush Trip (evaluate)
2. VIVIZ – Pull Up (evaluate)
1. Taeyang – Vibe (ft. Jimin) (evaluate)
Prime Three Okay-Pop Songs Of December 2022
Prime Three Okay-Pop Songs Of November 2022
Prime Three Okay-Pop Songs Of October 2022
Prime Three Okay-Pop Songs Of September 2022
Prime Three Okay-Pop Songs Of August 2022
Prime Three Okay-Pop Songs Of July 2022
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