Just a few years in the past, I took a glance again at my high Okay-pop songs of 2016 and did some reshuffling. To be trustworthy, that record nonetheless wants a pair slight adjustments to be completely correct in my present considering, however somewhat than be overly fussy I’d like to maneuver onto the next yr.
2017’s Okay-pop slate was fairly sturdy, with a handful of legendary songs on the high. Right here’s my up to date rating, now that I’ve had practically seven (!) years for songs to rise, fall and settle of their rightful locations.
Authentic High Ten
10. Produce 101 Season 2 – Decide Me
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What I Mentioned Then: “Decide Me concentrated all of its performers’ toil and desperation and laid it naked over three minutes of immense EDM catharsis. Not solely was it catchy as all get out, however its go-for-broke spirit and never-ending power demanded consideration, climaxing within the yr’s largest, most euphoric refrain.”
What I Say Now: That is nonetheless the excessive water mark for survival sequence theme songs, however the sheer glut of them since 2017 has blunted Decide Me‘s energy only a bit. Nonetheless, listening to this seems like being swept again to an easier time.
9. Seventeen – Don’t Wanna Cry
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What I Mentioned Then: “From its plaintive, melancholic verses to that attractive, drum-filled construct, Cry is a deftly organized set-up for its sucker-punch of a hook. The refrain is probably not as advanced as most Seventeen singles, however the guys squeeze extra emotion from the titular chorus than most teams managed all yr lengthy.”
What I Say Now: I used to be actually excessive on Seventeen’s discography this yr. I haven’t gone again to it as a lot as anticipated since then, however Don’t Wanna Cry nonetheless stands as their largest, most cathartic second in 2017. It’s the uncommon trend-based monitor that manages to sound utterly timeless.
8. BLACKPINK – As If It’s Your Final
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What I Mentioned Then: “BLACKPINK could have solely launched one (!) music this yr, however it was a doozy. By merging their twin sounds into one celebratory summer season anthem, the women delivered their most addictive hit but. “
What I Say Now: Isn’t that exclamation mark cute? Think about considering that one music a yr from BLACKPINK was stunning. The group could not have deepened their discography a lot since 2017, however As If It’s Your Final stays their most glittering pop pinwheel. It has turn out to be a deserved summer season staple.
7. Wanna One – Energetic
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What I Mentioned Then: “It’s a music chock stuffed with moments, from the charismatic playfulness of the rap verses to the chugging electro thomp of the refrain. But it surely’s the group’s indelible persona that really makes Energetic soar.”
What I Say Now: Energetic retains its place at quantity seven even years after Wanna One have turn out to be a distant reminiscence. You’ll be able to thank its pitch excellent mix of deep home grooves and dramatic vocals. It’s an iconic debut but to be bettered by some other Produce-spawned group.
6. Golden Baby – DamDaDi
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What I Mentioned Then: “Its rollicking pop/rock sound could really feel corny, however there’s no denying that DamDaDi seemed like nothing else launched in 2017. It’s exhausting to not be gained over by its explosive power, made much more addictive by the group’s youthful enthusiasm.”
What I Say Now: DamDaDi‘s huge rise is available in half because of the music Golden Baby went on to launch quickly after, however even with out that unbelievable legacy the music has stood the check of time (after which some!) due to its bombastically shiny power.
5. NCT Dream – My First And Final
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What I Mentioned Then: “Hearkening again to the debut days of youthful teams like SHINee, Dream provided greater than sufficient harmless power, however the actual MVP right here is composer/producer Ryan S. Jhun, who breathed life into the music’s effervescent, strings-assisted hook and funk-driven bass.”
What I Say Now: No NCT unit ever actually embraced this sound once more, and maybe that altering legacy undercuts a few of its energy. Nonetheless, My First And Final stays a dynamic whirlwind of a funk-pop monitor, completely basic and chock stuffed with persona.
4. Gfriend – Fingertip
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What I Mentioned Then: “Although they might finally revert again to extra commonplace lady group fare, for a short second in March GFriend forged themselves as world-conquering synth-pop warriors, propelled by the bombastic 80’s dance funk throwback of Fingertip.”
What I Say Now: Few Okay-pop teams’ materials has aged higher than GFriend’s. Fingertip appears much more daring and large immediately than it did again in 2017 and represents an important inflection level for the women. I completely find it irresistible.
3. Snuper – Again:Hug
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What I Mentioned Then: “Again:Hug is a unique beast altogether, fusing immediately’s manufacturing with a trendy sheen and ultra-melodic hook. Its ever-shifting textures gave Snuper their most advanced single but, however wrapped it in a classically catchy, immaculately produced bundle. The second the luxurious pre-chorus sweeps in, the music transforms into the form of timeless pop 2017 so usually lacked.”
What I Say Now: Snuper are nonetheless my 2017 MVPs and Again:Hug performs an enormous function in that. It stays a sterling beacon of Okay-pop’s tropical pattern, impeccably produced and melodically wealthy. I’ll by no means get sick of listening to it.
2. Purple Velvet – Purple Taste
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What I Mentioned Then: “Purple Velvet outlined the summer season of 2017, merging their quirky pop fashion with probably the most strong refrain of their profession. Purple Taste is a kaleidoscope of ingenious percussion and megawatt hooks, delivered with polish and panache to spare. Wendy’s explosive bridge stands as one of many yr’s defining pop moments, elevating an already gargantuan sound to goosebump-inducing ranges.”
What I Say Now: I imply, this music has turn out to be an iconic basic. I already predicted that might occur again in the summertime of 2017, however the music now seems like an inseparable a part of Okay-pop historical past in the easiest way. I don’t let a summer season go by with out enjoying it no less than as soon as.
1. Snuper – The Star Of Stars
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What I Mentioned Then: “Producers Sweetune is probably not steering the careers of a-list acts anymore, however Star proves that they haven’t misplaced their contact for a sweeping melody and strong, layered association. From its explosive opening synth riff to the dramatic climb in direction of the sing-along climax, I can’t consider one other music that felt so welcome each time it discovered its approach onto my playlist.”
What I Say Now: My high choose for 2017 hasn’t modified, and certain by no means will. Actually, it’s my second most performed music — proper after Infinite’s The Chaser. The truth that this got here from a small group who aren’t even collectively anymore is form of superb, and greater than somewhat bittersweet.
