Following a convention first established in 2020, I’m celebrating the vacations as we speak with the opening of presents. These packages come within the type of seasonal Okay-pop tracks not but reviewed on the weblog.
This 12 months, the foundations are easy. I’m both conserving the presents or planning to return them. There’s a fairly high quality line between the 2 outcomes, and lots of songs barely eked into the “maintain” class. However, I solely have a lot house for presents. Now is just not the time to be wishy-washy!
Model New Music – Hugs
Model New Music artists delivered two vacation presents this 12 months, however just one comes with its personal music video. Sadly, Hug is a tedious, trap-driven midtempo I’ll be returning instantly.
Verdict: Return
Cielogroove – On a regular basis Christmas (ft. TAN)
Cielogroove is a manufacturing crew, they usually’ve paired with boy group TAN for this little ditty. The track is inoffensive and vibrant, leveraging traditional vacation sounds. It doesn’t actually go wherever, however it’s nice sufficient.
Verdict: Hold
C9 Artists – Merry Merry Christmas
I do know we’re in secure fingers when a Christmas track kicks off with sleigh bells! I really like how dramatic the introduction is. This can be a enjoyable, upbeat carol – among the many stronger vacation tracks launched this 12 months. The occasional blasts of choral vocals are my favourite contact.
Verdict: Hold
Chuu & George – Pricey My Winter
That is a type of songs you play within the night subsequent to a fireplace as snow blankets the world exterior. It’s very cozy and clean and simply form of lulls you to sleep. George and Chuu’s vocals praise one another nicely.
Verdict: Hold
Dreamcatcher – White
White is roofed by a lot of lady teams, however its vibrant, fluffy nature isn’t one thing I affiliate with Dreamcatcher. The women pull off the idea, even when it’s a bit toothless for them.
Verdict: Hold
Ha Hyunsang – When Winter Comes
That is actually fairly. I’m a sucker for rock ballads and Hyunsang has a really evocative voice. It’s not the strongest melody I’ve heard in my life, however I discover this gorgeous satisfying so long as I’m in the correct temper.
Verdict: Hold
Jaurim – Mr. Klauss + If It Snows On Christmas Day
Nicely, this can be a unusual flip. These two songs are fairly completely different from one another. One’s form of a rocky/jazzy cabaret quantity and the opposite is extra punk influenced. Neither is actually for me, however I don’t begrudge anybody who loves this as a result of it’s straight-up unusual and that’s a terrific factor.
Verdict: Re-gift (as a result of I feel another person goes to find it irresistible)
Jin (Lovelyz) – Our Christmas
I’ll all the time get pleasure from Jin’s voice and this track has the identical hushed attraction as George & Chuu’s observe. However, it lacks a memorable issue. It’s extra snoozy than cozy, which is a slight however essential distinction.
Verdict: Return
Jung Seung Hwan – My Favourite Winter
Jung Seung Hwan has turn out to be one in all Korea’s go-to singers of wintery fare. This time the track is a little more upbeat, which is certainly interesting. It’s very middle-of-the-road background music, however it has my toe tapping.
Verdict: Hold
Katie – Christmas Final Awhile (ft. paulkyte)
This has a form of cool lo-fi high quality and Katie’s vocals sound nice. It’s very atmospheric, however I saved ready for the track to kick into gear. I’m undecided if the manufacturing (notably the percussion) all the time matches the melody. I just like the instrumental solo within the center, although.
Verdict: Return
Kim Chaewon – My Little Christmas
Oh my gosh these sleepy tracks actually turn out to be a drag once you hear one after the opposite. I can’t inform if Chuu and George’s duet is definitely superior or if I merely prefer it finest as a result of it was the primary one I listened to! This one is kind of boring, sadly.
Verdict: Return
Lee Boram, Punch & Yebin – White Christmas
This track has a bit extra power, however solely a bit. It’s a terrific trio of vocalists, and that goes a great distance. I’m not thrilled about something right here, however I’ll cling onto it simply in case it improves with time.
Verdict: Hold
Lee Sujeong & Lee Woo – The Miracle of Christmas
I’m nonetheless ready for that Woollim Household vacation observe that solely exists in my creativeness, however not less than we now have one in all their artists right here. I used to be about to cross on this one till the beat got here in and the music all of a sudden become a celebration. Not a fan of the verses, however the refrain works.
Verdict: Hold
Mirae – Snow Prince
Mirae cowl a traditional single from their company seniors SS501. The unique Snow Prince is nice and that is too, however it doesn’t make any selections that will set it aside. Like NCT Dream’s recording of Sweet, it feels superfluous. However, not less than it’s upbeat.
Verdict: Hold (however I’ll most likely simply play the unique)
Stella Jang – Winter Dream
Okay, I actually like this. The quirky piano pop sound is refreshing and Stella’s vocal is mild and stuffed with character. It’s not the form of track I’d placed on another playlist, however it’s charming and nostalgic.
Verdict: Hold
VERIVERY – Christmas Day
This was a late Christmas arrival, hiding within the backside of the stocking. However, I’m conserving it! Positive, it’s slightly tough across the edges, however its power is infectious.
Verdict: Hold
Weeekly – Pleased Christmas
That is additionally good, although it positively seems like vacation album filler. The melodies are slightly uninspired, however it’s good to listen to one thing with extra pep in its step. Weeekly make the proper supply technique for Christmas cheer.
Verdict: Hold
WEi – Reward For You
The verses listed below are very boring however the refrain injects some life into the observe. A second verse breakdown (significantly, we’re even doing this in Christmas songs?!?) seems like coal within the stocking, and from that time on the track struggles to get well its power.
Verdict: Return
woo!ah! – Merry Christmas In Advance
There’s one thing refreshingly “old-school Okay-pop” about this. Like most songs on this characteristic, it’s not notably “good.” However, it’s buoyant and vibrant and enhances the vacation season nicely sufficient.
Verdict: Hold
Yoon Jisung – December 24
We’re again to Sleepytime Categorical. Jisung has a stunning voice that compliments this hushed sound, however that is tremendous boring and fairly tacky.
Verdict: Return
