Typically, it’s enjoyable to make a journey again in time and immerse your self in a selected Ok-pop 12 months. Just like my Battle of the B-sides, this function sees me shuffling an enormous playlist of songs from a sure period, selecting out six at random and sharing my ideas about every. All songs are eligible: Title tracks, b-sides, Japanese tracks from Ok-pop acts. The one standards is that they should have been launched of their goal 12 months.
Immediately, we’re travelling again to 2015.
Listed below are the six opponents:
BoA – Hiya
Boys Republic – Hiya
Women’ Technology (SNSD) – Bump It
Halo – Sleepless
HIGH4 – D.O.A (Lifeless Or Alive)
SHINee – Love Sick
Who will rank first??
6. BoA – Hiya
2015 was a really sturdy 12 months for many returning acts, however I wasn’t as offered on BoA’s huge comeback album. She co-wrote all the pieces herself, which was a terrific creative leap. General, the album could be very stable however doesn’t characterize the most effective of her sprawling discography for my part. Hiya is a mild mid-tempo that leads us into the finale of the observe record. It’s a really fairly piece of music and he or she sounds nice on it, however this sort of observe is rather more about sentiment than thrilling songcraft. Oh effectively, each album wants a lighters-in-the-air second like this, I suppose.
Ranking: 7.5
5. Women’ Technology (SNSD) – Bump It
2015 was an enormous 12 months for SNSD, bringing the group again collectively for a really profitable album. I bear in mind Social gathering (and to a lesser extent, Lion Coronary heart) being a bit divisive after they got here out, however each songs sound so enjoyable in the present day. The album was host to a variety of sturdy b-sides, together with Bump It. The observe is a bit generic in locations and will do with a a lot stronger hook, however the women promote it and the thumping beat injects loads of angle. It’s considered one of my least-listened-to songs on the album, so I form of want a distinct one had popped up on my shuffle button to offer them a greater likelihood on this rating!
Ranking: 8
4. SHINee – Love Sick
Love Sick is a b-side from SHINee’s Odd/Married To The Music album. I bear in mind not being thrilled with the album on first hear, which appears extremely loopy with hindsight. Nevertheless, we now have to do not forget that this was the follow-up to the unimaginable Misconceptions sequence and their equally implausible All people EP of 2013, so my expectations had been ridiculously excessive. With 2025 ears, this music is an absolute delight. It’s a bit extra mid-tempo than my favourite SHINee songs are usually, however the insistent bounce and unimaginable vocal manufacturing steal the present. The bridge injects an additional rhythmic push that reappears as a standout finale. As with most all the pieces this group has launched, Love Sick has utterly stood the check of time.
Ranking: 8.5
3. Halo – Sleepless
Halo had a handful of nice hits, even when the group by no means made it huge. They had been early on the brand new jack swing revival, harnessing potent grooves that buttressed sugary pop melodies. Their vivid, assured vocals are the right vessel for this type of music, effortlessly grooving over the sunshine funk. Sleepless was not a single, nevertheless it’s positively sturdy sufficient to be one. The refrain feels like classic Teen Prime however the music’s most foundational influences come from many years earlier. It’s good to listen to a music whose idea is solely good vitality and nice melodies.
Ranking: 8.5
2. HIGH4 – D.O.A (Lifeless Or Alive)
HIGH4 had been most recognized for a spring-time hit, however this killer fall single stands as their crowning achievement. From its sharp synth accents to the icy vocals to the startling melodic builds, the music pulses with such character. It’s without delay pensive, mysterious and ferocious. Fairly than funnel all of its bombast into anticipated choruses, the manufacturing spreads its mini climaxes in surprising locations. This causes the observe to really feel each unpredictable and frequently absorbing. All of it builds to a whopper of a finale, bringing all the pieces collectively because the beat intensifies.
Ranking: 9
1. Boys Republic – Hiya
Boys Republic actually have an unimpeachable discography. They didn’t have to launch as many classics as they did, however I’m very glad they saved their high quality degree excessive. The summer season of 2015 was a stellar one for breezy mid-tempos. Ok-pop acts don’t usually promote ballad-like comebacks, however a music like Hiya showcases simply how efficient the strategy may be. I’ve spent a lot of 2025 ragging on what I name “beigepop,” and from a purely goal degree I suppose you would classify Hiya‘s general sound as “beige.” EXCEPT… and this can be a huge “besides”… its melodies are extremely potent. There’s no foolish sing-talk, no flat repetition. The tune simply climbs and swirls and crystallizes into a few of the most lovely turns of its 12 months. I cherished this single again then and proceed to adore it in the present day.
Ranking: 9
