On the finish of every month, I look again at my three favourite title tracks by Ok-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.
Could 2025 General Ideas
The opposite day, I commented on Twitter/X that Ok-pop was struggling to seek out nice songs these days, which spawned replies from many individuals who clearly don’t learn the weblog saying that I ought to simply “take heed to extra artists” (normally adopted by a listing of their favourite acts). The irony, in fact, is that I hear to simply about each artist. This acquired me considering: would my emotions across the present Ok-pop panorama be totally different if I solely adopted the acts that I reliably love?
Years in the past, Ok-pop was in a spot the place I may comply with nearly each artist and be fairly happy with the overwhelming majority of output. Since then, the business has grown and there’s simply much more (for lack of a greater phrase) crap on the market proper now. Sifting by way of all this dreck for the occasional spotlight clearly colours my general opinion.
The factor is… there have been some nice highlights in Could. I’ve about 5 teams I contemplate my core anchors to Ok-pop proper now (common readers may most likely guess who they’re!) and several other of those made comebacks this month. RIIZE’s album was a particular spotlight, even when its greatest songs weren’t promoted as title tracks. I favored BOYNEXTDOOR’s album too, and its title monitor has grown on me. There was even an sudden spotlight from a brand new artist on the finish of the month.
Past this, Could didn’t provide many surprises. A number of big-name comebacks did not stay as much as their potential (Seventeen, Jin) and although it’s at all times good to listen to from SHINee once more their particular anniversary single didn’t do a lot for me both. Many smaller acts launched forgettable (or downright dangerous) materials, dragging down Could’s cumulative score.
I agonized over my prime three selections this month, not as a result of there was a ton to select from however as a result of I felt like I used to be splitting hairs between the songs. Then, an sudden spotlight emerged out of leftfield throughout the previous couple of days of the month, knocking a number of contenders to shut runner-up spots. Mainly, I’ve acquired a handful of tracks which might be varied shades of “8.75” (sure there’s been some revision in score), with one having the very best likelihood of ultimately shifting as much as a “9.”
At any time when I’m uncertain the right way to rank music, I fall again to what I contemplate to be an important aspect in a music: melody. My prime spot goes to a music that boasts a few of my favourite melodies of the 12 months to date. I’m ready to be charged with a number of counts of flagrant bias for this rating, which is likely one of the the explanation why I labored over it so intensely. However, it’s what it’s. I can’t deny which music I’m most excited to listen to when it comes on shuffle. To make this month much more complicated, I ended up pairing two songs collectively for a tie within the second place slot as a result of having them exist as polar opposites one way or the other makes every yet one more efficient by itself. I actually contemplate them two sides of the identical coin. I’m prepared for the complaints, loyal readers! Convey ’em on.
J-pop continues to frustrate me this 12 months. I feel I added about one or two songs to my library in Could, making it nearly unimaginable to select a prime three. I’m dedicated to maintaining with my weekly J-pop round-up sequence, however I gained’t lie… it’s change into a little bit of a chore these days. Past a standout right here and there, the music simply isn’t hitting me in any respect.
Summer season is usually Ok-pop’s time to shine, although that wasn’t the case final 12 months. Nevertheless, June of 2024 was a very robust month so I’m wanting to see if that repeats this 12 months. No teaser or announcement has me feeling overly assured in the meanwhile, however that may at all times change. (Please change, I urge of you!)
Month Cumulative Score: 7.7
(compiled by averaging the scores of each Ok-pop assessment from this month)
J-Pop Highlights
New & Noteworthy J-pop: Week One
New & Noteworthy J-pop: Week Two
New & Noteworthy J-pop: Week Three
New & Noteworthy J-pop: Week 4
New & Noteworthy J-pop: Week 5
TOP J-POP SONGS OF THE MONTH
3. Hinatazaka46 – Love Your self!
2. BE:FIRST – Grit
1. Kento Nakajima – Hekireki
Honorable Mentions
BOYNEXTDOOR – I Really feel Good (assessment)
Chuu – Again In City (assessment)
DAY6 – Perhaps Tomorrow (assessment)
i-dle – Girlfriend / Good Factor (assessment / assessment)
Koi Kat – Wake Up Name (video)
Lim Sejun – Summer season (assessment)
Crimson Velvet – Irene & Seulgi – Tilt (assessment)
SHINee – Poet | Artist (assessment)
TXT – Love Language (assessment)
This Month’s Risers and Fallers
This Month’s World Pop Spherical-Up
TOP THREE SONGS
3. Fairy Mai – Gentle Please (assessment)
2. RIIZE – Bag Unhealthy Again / Fly Up (assessment / assessment)
1. TWS – Fortunate To Be Liked (assessment)
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of April 2025
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of March 2025
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of February 2025
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of January 2025
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of December 2024
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of November 2024
2010-2024 Archive Right here
