Welcome to the second installment of my KPOP ROUNDUP 2016! Basically this gives me a place to gush about my fave songs every 4 months, then concluding with a final 2016 list after the first of the year. I'll start with honorable mentions then move into the top ten! (P.S.: these are title tracks only, so click on the ☆ to see the MV!)
Honorable Mentions:
☆ "Monodrama" - EXO's Lay (I don't know if this counts because it's not in Korean so a special honorable mention)
☆ "Good Luck" - AOA
☆ "On My Own" - Amber
☆ "Starlight" SNSD's Taeyeon ft. DΞΔN
☆ "Very Nice" - Seventeen
☆ "All Mine" - f(x)
☆ "Whatta Man" - I.O.I
☆ "Love Paint (every afternoon)" - NU'EST
10. "Starry Night" - SHINee's Onew and Lee JinAh ☆
8. "Crying" - Stellar ☆
7. "Navillera" - GFriend ☆
6. "Can't Help Myself" - Eric Nam ☆
5. "Monster" - EXO ☆
I think this song encompasses all that EXO can be. It's intense, engaging, and aggressive without force-feeding you. The vocals are still top tier and hold their own over an enthralling beat. Honestly the song is good enough for me to just listen to the instrumental and call it a bop, but the members brought it to another level. Not to mention the rap is awesome, it's different from the overall vibe so it catches your attention but similar enough for it to fit. Even my dad likes this song.
4. "Free Somebody" - f(x)'s Luna ☆
I'm starting this out by saying Luna is SM's best female vocalist, end of story. Now that that's out of the way, I absolutely adore this song. It's so funky and smooth, while still maintaining some of the EDM influences f(x) is known for. Her vocal execution is incredible, she seems to know when to hold back and when to let out powerful notes. The mix is also really cool-y done, I can hear layered vocals throughout the track. A beaut of a song, 10/10 would listen every day.
3. "Fantasy" - VIXX ☆
This song is GORGEOUS. VIXX topped my list last time, I'm never let down by their music. The mixture of classical and trap influence blew me away, the opening with a sped up moonlight sonata was beautiful. Once I hit the chorus each listen, I get chills up and down my body. A breathtaking song, I can't really say anything else.
2. "She Is" - SHINee's Jonghyun ☆
You might be thinking, what could've beat "Fantasy" after that review. Welp, here it is, another slightly more beautiful song. This track makes me want to dance! Jonghyun's vocals are so unique and lovely, his range is crazy impressive. The R&B vibe fits his voice so well, and I can hear how much he likes this song just by listening to how he recorded it. That little rap breakdown that went into a call and response !!! Thanks, Jonghyun, I love you.
1. "Secret" - Cosmic Girls (WJSN) ☆
... Surprise? What's this? Someone beat out VIXX and SHINee? Let me introduce you to WJSN. These 13 girls executed this masterpiece put in front of them so well, you wouldn't think they debuted only this year. I. Love. This. Song. The strings mixed with a funky bass? Great. The powerful yet floaty vocals? Amazing. The perfect rap tone and length? Superb. Not to mention they have one of the most incredible up and coming vocal lines in rookie groups. The only complaint I have is the beat drowns out those beautiful vocals at times, but that's to no fault of the girls. I literally listen to this at least 3 times a day.
