Ok-pop’s title tracks may acquire most of listeners’ consideration, however many album tracks are price equal highlight. I name these “buried treasures.”
Past this, Ok-pop’s albums ship 1000’s of extra tracks that accept a extra restricted viewers. It’s these songs that can grow to be part of my “battle of the b-sides” function.
On this function, I’ll be placing on my A&R hat and taking a hear to 5 randomly-selected Ok-pop b-sides. I’ll write a mini evaluation for every, together with a Bias Checklist score, and rank them from least to most favourite. The winner will be part of a particular Bias Checklist B-side playlist. Consider it like my very own little company, hand-selecting songs I’d wish to pitch to my nonexistent artists!
You may try all rounds of my Battle of the B-sides right here!
TNX – What If (2025)
TNX had a couple of songs previous to What If that capitalize on this angsty pop/rock sound and it suits them nicely. It’s grow to be very stylish this 12 months, inflicting the monitor to lose a little bit of steam within the brief time period. However in the long run, What If’s melodies and efficiency are robust sufficient to endure. I actually just like the melodic refrain on this one. It has a pleasant sense of drama that spotlights the blokes’ underrated vocals.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
Astro – Coronary heart Brew Love (2019)
Oh, how I miss Astro’s shiny poppy sound! Even on an album that noticed them mature their fashion, they nonetheless handled followers to a few these bubblegum bops. Their vocal tones are so nicely suited to those fizzy tracks and Coronary heart Brew Love is at its finest when it embraces full pop melody. I’m a little bit thrown by its future bass influenced refrain, which appears to needlessly complicate the association when a extra buoyant sound would give the music added carry. Nonetheless, that is fairly nice.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
SHINee – You & I (2018)
SHINee’s Story Of Mild venture was formidable and a bit uneven, however a robust sense of solidarity powered each music. You & I is likely one of the slower moments on the three half album, providing a pensive sound that advantages from the group’s emotive efficiency and some melodic twists that hold curiosity excessive. The music blooms properly because it unfolds, constructing to an completely attractive bridge highlighted by sparks of falsetto. It’s a really significant piece of music and simple to admire. I don’t play it usually, nevertheless it appears like an necessary a part of their discography.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
PSY – Rock Will By no means Die (2017)
It appears a bit foolish to follow-up a really severe, crucial SHINee monitor with a blast of shallow ear sweet after which go on to fee the ear sweet increased, nevertheless it’s laborious to disclaim the attraction of dumb, enjoyable pop hooks. PSY has loads of these in his arsenal and I particularly love when he croons a rock monitor. This one’s even obtained an ultra-cheesy electrical guitar solo at its climax. If I’m imagining the kind of monitor I’d flock towards once I want a lift of vitality, that is it!
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Luna – My Medication (2016)
Luna’s Free Someone mini album has some nice dance bangers on it, so it’s a disgrace the subdued ballad My Medication was the monitor to pop up on shuffle at this time. This music can also be very completed, after all, however I’m nearly at all times going to desire extra up-tempo materials. The monitor itself is moderately uneventful however fairly fairly and Luna has a wonderful voice so it’s at all times good to listen to her make full use of it. This feels like one thing you’d take heed to underneath an umbrella on a wet day.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
Fifth: Luna – My Medication
Fourth: TNX – What If
Third: Astro – Coronary heart Brew Love
Second: SHINee – You & I
First: PSY – Rock Will By no means Die
Congratulations to PSY’s Rock Will By no means Die – the sixty-ninth winner of my Battle of the B-sides!
Readers, what do you suppose? Did you uncover any hidden gems? Depart your individual rating within the feedback!