My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2015: May to August

Eat by Zion.T - Zion.T has always delivered great songs. The beauty in his work is it's simplicity. He manages to stir up emotions and even get the party going without a whole lot of extra sounds and equipment. This song is a perfect example of that. It's a bit stripped down but it's the perfect song to express longing and love.

Pray by Babylon - It was inevitable. After being a part of many successful songs as a feature artist he was bound to fly solo. I like Babylon most for his strong vocals. Dude can hold a note and that was definitely proven through this song.

Mannequin by Primary - I am so happy that Primary is back! This song is of course in Primary's typical retro R&B/Funk sound but Beenzino and Su Ran manage to make it feel new. Also, the lyrics are a bit more trendy than what I usually expect from Primary songs.

Playback by Playback - A really cute debut track. It has a retro R&B sound to it but it's accompanied by sweet vocals so it still has a pop feel.

Sold Out by Yankie - "Sold Out but we never Sold Out!" Great hip hop song with several amazing features and one awesome message to haters.

Ah-Ah by Teen Top - I really enjoy listening to Teen Top because their harmonies are so beautiful so I was pretty excited about this song. They didn't disappoint. they delivered a fun track that is just as well sung as any of their slower songs.

Bang Bang Bang by Big Bang - How could you not like this song? It's the perfect summer jam in so many ways. It gets you so hype and just when you're about to reach the max they slow it down in the chorus. It's electronic heavy so it runs the risks of sounding like a lot of other songs but luckily Big Bang is fly enough to keep it fresh.

If You by Big Bang - Such a beautiful song. Makes you wanna cry just listening to it, let alone when you actually raed the lyrics. I must say that my favorite part of this song was T.O.P. opening it up. At this point I still don't think T.O.P. is that great of a singer but he sounded really nice in this song.

Variegated by Jannibi - I wouldn't usually include OSTs, but this is one of the best k-drama theme songs I've ever heard. It's folksy, and bouncy, and perfect for a light summer drama.

View by SHINee - *cue the fan girl scream* I love this song. It's pretty trendy so I am familiar with the EDM based sound but thankfully SHINee gives us better vocals than most EDM works so the sound is taken to another level.

Kiss My Lips by BoA - One of the Queens of Kpop is back and she is AH MAY ZING! The song has a great R&B undertone while still being trendy enough for the pop side. Love it!

Awesome by N.Flying - I really enjoy the rock/hip hop crossover. It's not a completely unfamiliar concept but I think it was the perfect way to finally introduce N.Flying. I like the fact that nothing about them is gimmicky. They can really play their instruments and rock out, and they have decent rapping skills. So, I am excited to see a lot more from them.

Get by Urban Zapaka - A great song! I like that Urban Zakapa can take their sound and add Beenzino to make it even more accessible. I've only listened to a few of their songs but it seems that they usually go more for ballads. I like that this song is a bit more trendy and upbeat.

Trauma by Eun Ji Won - This song reminds me of so many R&B songs from my childhood, so I kind of fell in love with it for that reason. Also, I think Eun Ji Won sounds really good singing songs like this.

Over & Over by Pippi Band - The video is going to weird you out a bit, but once you get pass that you get a really awesome song. Zion.T featuring is just the cherry on top. If you like with synth-rock and are excited for the return of 80s music then this is the song for you.

Mirror by MBLAQ - As sad as I am to see a 3-member MBLAQ instead of a 5-member MBLAQ, I have to say that G.O, Mir, and Seungho held it down and released a good song.

My House by 2pm - The video is really good, the mix of fairy tales and 2PM's undeniable manliness is enough to make any girl fall. I think Jun.K did a great job with the song also.

Blue Horizon by Cokejazz & Hoody - You can blame my following Jay Park on Instagram for introducing this gem to you. Synth-pop with a touch of jazz, the perfect song for a chill summer drive. Also, if you're wanting to hear more Hoody, who is being dubbed the new queen of underground R&B, I suggest listening to her song Baby Oh Baby.

Um Oh Ah Yeh by Mamamoo - Mamamoo returns with their signature retro sound and a completely crazy and fun video.

OMG by JJY Band - I probably shouldn't endorse this song, but what can I do? I just love Jung Joon Young's voice, I like that he chose a more fast pace rock song this time around too.

Listen by Khalil Fong - So Chinese R&B may not exactly count as "kpop" but I had to tell somebody how much I like this song. If not for Crush including Khalil Fong's "Love Love Love" in his Melon Playlist I wouldn't have ever found out about this great artist. I like that he has yet to count out real instruments even if he does include electronic sounds here and there, plus he has a really sweet voice that works with slow ballad, upbeat tracks, and multiple genre fusions.

7E77 ME B43Y by Seulong - I really like the sound of this song. I can't quite explain it (synth-R&B?) but it's just perfect, not only for Seulong's voice but also for the lyrics of the song.

My Everything by Bumkey - Funny how impending jail time can make you want to release an amazing love song. I love this song, it's what R&B should sound like and of course it doesn't hurt that Bumkey has one of the best voices in music today.

Bassline by Nuol ft King Kong & Huckleberry P - This song is dope for a whole host of reasons but my number one reason is that the rapping surpasses even the most talented and prominent Korean rappers. This is a must listen--straight fiyah from beginning to end.

Dope by BTS - If we're being completely honest with ourselves, then we would say that this song is like most of BTS's songs so as awesome as it is it's a bit too familiar. However, BTS never fails at their crossover songs so it has to be said that as familiar as the song is, it is still quite good. Especially if we consider the number of rookie groups putting out similar songs with less fire.

It's Okay by BtoB - I've been a fan of BtoB for some time now, so I am happy that they are getting more and more attention for their talents. This song is so well sung, it's just about ridiculous. Listen to them runs, that harmony, you'll fall for them in no time. I even think that the rap part is stellar.

My Last by Jay Park - This song stole my summer. It was the first song I wanted to play whether I was escaping the heat at work, taking a drive, or playing outside. It is not only well produced but I also enjoyed Jay Park's singing and rapping, Loco's rapping, and Gray's sing-rapping. The perfect summer jam especially for Korean R&B/Hip Hop lovers like myself.

Just Right by GOT7 - I love this song for so many reasons. The video is fabulous and the message is sweet. But I think the thing I like most about it is how fresh the sound is for GOT7. Also, I noticed that they are constantly maturing their sound, so I am proud of them.

Love Me by Melody Day - I like the retro sound and even though the lyrics are a bit typical, the girls sound really good.

Party by Girls Generation (SNSD) - At first I found this song to be a bit of a let down, just because it sounds like so many other songs. However, I can't deny that it is a perfect summer jam.

Comes and Goes by Hyukoh - I am pretty proud of myself for being into this band before they truly came into prominence. They're great for the fact that they really just put out the music they like and somehow it works. From Ohhyuk's one of a kind voice to their unique mix of genres, they're really a great gem especially for people who are moving out of the pop world. I like this song because even though it's basically indie rock, it does not feel as exclusive as most indie rock songs. It's a type of sound that fans of several genres outside of rock can enjoy.

Champagne by Yunho (TVXQ) - As sad as it is to welcome a life without Yunho being active in entertainment I like that his last track was a fun party track and not some sort of sad goodbye song.

Married to the Music by SHINee - SHINee's ode to 80s pop, particularly the music and video of Michael Jackson, is enough to get any party started, so it was a great track to close out the summer to.

Devil by Super Junior - First off, I must say that the video is awesome. I love summer action movies and this was the perfect time to release a video like that. It's the perfect accompaniment to the song. The song is really great. I can't pinpoint what genre or sound they are pulling from at the moment but it is a welcome change for the group.

Gotta Go to Work by BEAST - A sweet song that perfectly fits BEAST's maturity level.

Don't be Shy by Primary - I love the reggae sound but my main reason for liking this song is ChoA's
pretty stellar vocals. To me it's easy for talent to get lost in kpop groups, I like that she was able to
show off on her own with this song.

Won & Only by Simon Dominic - Simon D is back and bringing good old school hip hop back. And if you just can't get enough of Tablo's daughter, Haru, then I suggest watching her in this video.

Hooka by Hyukoh - This song is quite different from Comes and Goes and yet I'm still a fan. Hyukoh's voice is a bit difficult to come by in this genre but it fits perfectly with not just the more metal based instrumental but also the thoughtful lyrics.

Kontrol by Kim Sung Kyu - I just found it hard not to like this song. Sung Kyu has a great voice and this song showed that off very well.

New Rasta Virus by Rude Paper - Reggae is starting to gain a lot of traction in Korea these days. As someone who grew up listening to reggae it's really fun to hear Korean artists take on the genre and add a smooth hip hop flair to it. I really should listen to modern reggae artist from the west.

Lion Heart by SNSD - Still loving the retro sound that a lot of girl groups are taking on these days. Sometimes it's hard for me to get into SNSD because they don't have anyone in a lower range to round out their sound in the chorus, but I think that it worked out with this song. Video was so cute!

You Think by SNSD - They went for a bad girl image and killed it. The song is quite trendy but it doesn't work against them. It is very reminiscent of late 90s/early 2000s R&B songs.

Sweet Girl by B1A4 - I like this sweet song that shows off B1A4's vocal talent as well as how effortlessly they can switch genres.

Bad by Infinite - It's in Infinite's go-to 80s electronic pop-rock sound, but they always manage to have an edge that other groups just don't have when trying to use this sound.

My Favorite K-Pop Songs of 2015: January to April

Korean Music has been so good to 2015 so far. We're only 4 months in and the list of songs that I have on repeat is almost endless. And much like 2014 we've heard epic comebacks and impressive rookies, making the selection of songs vast and varied. Check below for my favorite songs of 2015 from January to April, in order of most listened to, and linked. Also, just so you know this isn't even all the songs I liked from these four months, but I thought 52 songs was enough. 

1. Cheers by Gaeko x Yankie ft Babylon & Beenzino - Had to start of the list and of course my year. This is what I think we can all refer to as a "Turn Up Song." Every thing about it gets you in a celebration mood, from the sound to the lyrics, to the feature artists.

2. Good Times by Paloalto ft Babylon - Love the instrumental for this song, especially the intro. It gives off a cool west coast hip hop vibe but it feels unique to 2015.

3. Your Love by Elo - You really can't go wrong with something produced by Gray and of course Elo's smooth vocals just bring it all home. This song helped me convert a friend so I hold it in high regards.

4. Just by Zion.T & Crush - I honesty have some sort of disorder. Every time I hear this song and watch the MV I just want to cry, it's that amazing. If you've seen it you know how simple everything is for Cruch and Zion.T: all you need is smooth vocals, a slow and bouncy jazz/blues instrumental, and a black and white video. All the fancy sets, flashing lights--don't need 'em.

5. Deja Boo ft Jonghyun ft Zion.T - This is one of many songs from Jonghyun's BASE mini-album that I loved, not liked, loved. First off the jazz funk combination is becoming a mainstay in K-Pop and it's a sound that lends itself well to Jonghyun's vocals. Also, having Zion.T feature is like icing on cake, it's just as smooth but is doesn't overshadow the main artist.

6. You by G.Soul - 15 years! That's all I can think about sometimes when I listen to this song. I have to say that the 15 years of "training" didn't go to waste. G.Soul has an amazingly soulful voice, making the emotional R&B ballad hit home in more ways than one.

7. Interstellar by No. Mercy ft Yella Diamond - I didn't follow MONSTA X's journey into being through No.Mercy, however I will say that the show put out some pretty great music. I like that the song is upbeat and has a raw hip hop feel while taking full advantage of the brass band sound that a lot of songs are incorporating these days.

8. My Type by Jessi, Cheetah, & Kangnam - This song is great in so many ways. Not only does it feature two of the best female rappers that Korea's ever seen but it also showed off Kangnam's unique but steady vocal skill. I also can't leave out the fact that Verbal Jint produced a hard-hitting, club worthy track. It's hard not to like this song.

9. My Love by Eddy Kim - This song is so romantic and if the lyrics weren't enough to make you swoon then Eddy Kim's beautiful voice will. I like that it had a Beatles kind of sound too it, soft but still a bit rock n roll.

10. Mileage by Jun Yong Hwa ft YDG - Such a fun MV. The song is really cute and Yonghwa sounds amazing, but the MV is everything. It's cute, funny, colorful, and just plain awesome. A must watch.

11. Man of the Year by Hanhae ft D.meanor - This may not be the most unique song on the list but I like it for it's throwback sound. This song totally reminds me of early 2000s R&B/hip hop songs. It's slow but has a good beat, and Hanhae's flow with D.meanor's soulful voice is a great combination.

12. Life by Rubber Soul ft Mad Clown - If you've ever listened to a TLC song or watched a TLC video then this song will give all kinds of flashbacks to the 90s. At first I didn't really like it, but the more I listened the more it grew on me. Much like Man of the Year, I like that it reminds me of the songs I grew up listening to in the States (in the 90s) and of course the lyrics have a nice message.

13. Island by Primary & Oh Hyuk - I am so glad that Primary is back, it's been too long. Anyway, this is a very thoughtfully produced song. A lot of Primary's songs go for a R&B/hip hop/funk/jazz feel, but this one was a bit different. It definitely still had those elements in them but I feel like they were downplayed so that OhHyuk's voice and the lyrics could take center stage. I think that if you are a Sam Smith fan then you'll like this song, it has that feeling.

14. Automatic by Red Velvet - Red Velvet completely transformed themselves and I am not mad at them for it. This song is so sultry and smooth. Also, they killed their choreography.

15. Love Is Madness by 15& ft Kanto - So, I don't think you can ever really go wrong with a 15& song. The ladies just sang so well, I am in awe every time.

16. Zero Gravity by Zion.T - So, upon first listen this song doesn't seem like much. It's a typical Zion.T song--slow, jazzy, but incredibly catchy. Although the song isn't much of a break from Zion.T's usual offerings it is still an amazing song. The vibe is so chill and the video is really nice.

17. Apologize by Eddy Kim - Eddy Kim's go-to blues/soul style does not disappoint in this song. It's perfect for a break up song. I also really liked the video, it gave Eddy Kim a different and stronger image.

18. Pretty by Infinite H - I thought the video was really entertaining and I liked the 90s hip hop feel of the song.

19. Buckubucku by MFBTY - The greatest thing about this song is that they stuck to the basics and made something that any hip hop fan would like. And can I just say that though this was an MFBTY song, Rap Monster practically stole the song with his verse.

20. One Fine Day by Jung Yong Hwa - Yonghwa's voice must have been made for ballads. He sounds so beautiful and that's really all that matters.

21. Auditory Hallucination by Jang Jae In ft NaShow - I wouldn't usually include an OST (Kill Me, Heal Me) in this list but I had too. For one, the sound and lyrics of the song perfectly reflected the emotions in the drama. A lot of OSTs tend to be cheesy and sound really similar but this one was very fresh especially considering the drama.

22. Pillow by Soyu & Giriboy ft Kihyun - Soyu's beautiful voice, Giriboy's melodic rapping, and Kihyun's smooth vocals was a really nice combination, one that is really enjoyable to listen to weather you're a fan of Starship Entertainment's survival program or not.

23. Call Me Baby by EXO - Aren't we all just a little bit happier now that EXO's back? Well, I am. The kids killed it, from the sound of the song to the choreography. I found myself crying from joy after watching it the first time--that's how sick it is! A. MUST. LISTEN.

24. Unpretty Dreams by Jessi - Jessi's rapping is amazing but I have to say that her vocals over Gray's instrumental is what truly makes this song special. Somehow Gray managed to make a complicated instrumental easy to listen to and Jessi rapping on top of that made the song even more catchy. More than that though are the lyrics about Jessi's struggle and journey to success.

25. Your Number by SHINee - I didn't realize how much I missed SHINee as a unit until I saw this video and listened to the song. It's not actually K-Pop because the song's in Japanese but I liked it so much that I couldn't miss an opportunity to talk about it. For one thing SHINee killed their choreography--it was so smooth and they were so in sync that it made me really appreciate them as a group again. The song had the same effect--they were in such amazing harmony.

26. Ice Cream Cake by Red Velvet - The music box intro goes well with their sweet image and the song is furthered with a more pop sound that kind of reminds me of f(x).

27. Bawling by Primary & Oh Hyuk - The jazz sound I've come to love is back and I am glad to say that I still love it. Primary and Ohhyuk make such an amazing combination of smooth that it's hard to dislike. The pairing perfectly conveys the emotions of this song about growing apart.

28. I'm Bad by Nu'est - I don't know what it is about Nu'est that I find appealing. This song isn't all that special but there's something about it that makes it worth listening to. Maybe it's because the members actually sing really well. I haven't heard them live but when listening to them in music videos their vocals are always good.

29. Just Do It by Gray ft Loco - Had to have him on the list. These days it wouldn't be a favorites list if Gray isn't on their somewhere. I like that this song is exactly in Gray's style: bouncy hip hop with a mix of electronic and real instruments, a great beat, and melodic rapping.

30. Bang Diggy Bang Bang by MFBTY - This song is more on the pop side, but I'm not mad at it. It's a fun dance track with just the right amount of hip hop influence that gives it a bit more strength (trying to avoid the word "swag").

31. Too very so Much by MYNAME - So, the sound's a little typical, but it's still a fun song.

32. Lovekiller by Niel ft. Dok2  - Very unexpected collaboration but it totally works. Niel has a very unique voice (among idol singers) and it goes well with the sound of the song which is highlighted by guitar and accompanied by a very trendy snapping sound. Dok2 did a great job, he added a little edge to the song.

33. Coach Me by SanE, Hyolyn, Jooheon - A sensual R&B song that is taken home with Hyolyn's vocals, and SanE and JooHeon's rapping.

34. So What by Beenzino - Beenzino uses a very nice sound in order to tell people to leave him alone.

35. Bounce by Boyfriend - Now that Boyfriend's narrowed down their concepts to be more fantasy/fairy tale they seem to be gaining more traction in the industry. I think the 80s pop mixed with the brass band sound that's typical of funk was a good combination and one that look forward to hearing more of it's done this well.

36. Sniper by Shinhwa - Great comeback. I like this comeback because it's right on trend with current idol songs and concepts. Though I praise other OG idol groups for their throwback sound, the more modern sound is really attractive on Shinhwa.

37. Young by Giriboy, Mad Clown, Jooyoung ft No.Mercy - I don't think this one of the most unexpected combinations but is was a really good one. Each of the rappers had strengths that the others didn't so with each new verse there was a different feel. 

38. Take Care of You by Giriboy - I'm actually a big fan of Giriboy. This song is a great display of his charm which is a very melodic rapping mixed with singing that can only be done by him in his songs. Though the song is quite simple it sounds quite deep and full and it goes perfectly with the words.

39. Tell Me One More Time by Jinusean ft Jang Hana - I really love this song. I like that Jinusean brought it back in not only the sound of the song but also the video. Jang Hana may still be a trainee but I think she did an amazing job in this song. I also found all the celebrity cameos in the MV super entertaining.

40. Break Up with Break Up by Pretty Brown ft Kanto - It's an upbeat R&B song with a lot of soul. The video trend these days seems to be the fish eye effect (Also in NC.A's Cinderella Time)--it's kind of fun. 

41. blu by IRON ft. Babylon - Iron's long awaited debut finally comes to us. He's been keeping busy with many features, but his single was a great way to solidify his place in Korean hip hop. Though the song has a lot more pop and rock influence than maybe one would expect, it worked. It also seems that Babylon is also carving out his niche as a sought after feature artist on hip hop tracks. This is the third time he's on this list so who knows what more we can hear from him. I look forward to more of the both of them.

42. Ahh Oop! by Mamamoo ft eSNa - The 60s R&B sound that Mamamoo does so well is alive and well in this song. The song also has a bit of an edge that their other songs didn't have so it feels fresh.

43. See You by Primary ft BSK & Gaeko - This is Primary going back to basics and because it's him it works so well. Besides the funky sound Kim Bum Soo's vocals are just perfect for this song: their smooth but powerful so the song has a lot of soul.

44. Flower by Junsu (XIA) ft Tablo - A very powerful song in sound, lyrics, and delivery.

45. Me You by San E ft Baek Yerin - I honestly think San E is like the king of sweet hip hop collabs. Much like his collaboration with Raina (A Midsummer's Night Sweetness) this song is about a relationship and features an amazing female vocalist. A great springtime song.

46. Love Game by Lim Kim - If I am not mistaken this song is Lim Kim's first dance track. It's definitely more on the dance pop side of music but her unique vocals separate it from most mainstream dance pop songs.

47. Awoo by Lim Kim - I love it and if you're like me you'll love it to. She did a great job of making the song sound as flirtatious as the subject matter. I also feel like this song would be played a lot on American radios (you know if it were in English).

48. I Need U by BTS - I have to talk about the music video first. I am calling it the sequel to their Danger MV. It's kind of dark and has their usual theme of angst but it also reminds me a lot of B.A.P.'s One Shot, and the drama Shut Up Flower Boy Band. It's basically like their a bunch of punks that love being around each other, however somehow they sneaked in "I need you girl" which to me makes the MV a little weird but.... Now the song, it's a bit different from what they usually do but it's still a nice song and it showcases everything we love about BTS--great rapping, great vocals, and an edge that other idols groups may not have.

49. Apple by Ga In ft Jay Park - So, it's not that hard to decipher what this song is about, but I like the jazz/funk sound, it works well with Gain's voice and it goes well with Jay Park's rapping.

50. Spring Breeze by Lee Moonsae ft Naul - I truly love this song. This is my first time listening to a Lee Moonsae song (I think) and it's stirring a fan up inside me. The song is perfect for spring and has a chill surf rock vibe like The Beach Boys. Also, the music video is one of the coolest I've ever seen.

51. EOEO by UNIQ - Didn't know I'd like this song as much as I do before clicking on the link. The sound is kind of standard for many idol groups these days - hip hip/electro, but I still think this song has a great beat and the rapping is on point, so I am pleased.

52. Bae Bae by Big Bang - I had to include this on the list (just in time). For one thing, the video was just weird, I can't describe it any other way. You can go look in the comments because I am not alone in thinking that they were on something. Despite that, and the sexual nature of the song, I actually really like the sound of the song. It has a bit of a reggae undertone to it but it's also kind of electro-funky. It's good and it's so Big Bang.