my favorite b-sides of february '19!

Welcome lovely KA community!

I am here with a simple blog about some of my favorite b-side tracks of last month! Tbh the motivation for this blog came only due to one perticular song, but I won't tell you which one because I noticed that all these albums are fantastic! Anyways I made the rule for myself to only include one song per album, otherwise I'd end up recommending too many song lmao. I hope you consider checking out at least some of these songs if you haven't listened to them yet end enjoy the blog!~

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"We Must Love"

19/02/07

# lyrics

# live

This whole album is incredible, as expected of ONF. Their music really is refreshing because it keeps using elements which aren't heard that often in K-Pop (thank you MonoTree for existing and producing quality music) and this song from ONF's new EP is no exception! Starting the song off with some strings that give off a Latin vibe, going over to some great rap verses by Wyatt and even MK and then suddenly the bridge throws in some EDM elements which make the song sound kind of futuristic, before the chorus brings back the strings and other instruments which I can't name because idk anything about music. It's such an interesting song with many different elements, that all still connect very well and it is super addicting to listen to it! Overall MK and Wyatt get to shine a lot on the track, but also the vocalists sound sO GOOD. They even promoted it a bit on music shows, so if you like the song, you should definitely watch their live performance as well!

❝ don't hold it in any longer

let it burst

spit out everything rotting inside of you

don't worry

after a few months

this will be no big deal ❞

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"WANT"

19/02/11

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I am still bown away by Taemin's comeback and just the whole album, but for me it's clear which song I would have to include, even though I love every single one on that mini album. However I have a thing for dramatic songs and "Shadow" is definitely dramatic. The string in the chorus with the kind of shouting, the extremely catchy "lalala" by the female voice symbolizing the following of "the shadow", the whole build up in the instrumental... I wouldn't say it's that new of a style, yet many of the elements in this song we don't hear often in K-Pop, especially not together, so it's exiting to hear it in that composition in this song. Taemin is really never disappointing me with any kind of dramatic songs, they always have a lot of impact!

❝ I how I loved you

you follow and tease me everyday

you're like a shadow

it constantly hovers in my ears

your voice won't leave me alone

even if I run away

I’m still stuck in place

oh, you’re like a shadow ❞

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"IT'z Different"

19/02/12

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If you're a person that didn't like ITZY's debut title track, you should definitely still give this song a chance! "Want It" continues ITZY's girl crush concept but it's a genre that isn't touched so much by K-Pop unfortunately. It reminds me of old Avril Lavigne times and just makes me want to jump around in my room or go on a long car trip in the sun, while blasting this song. It's super catchy, the rap verses are great and not out of place at all, their English is actually quite impressive and the song is overall so energetic and upbeat, I really can't wait to see more of ITZY in the future!!

❝ now rock your body to this beat

and do what you want

go beyond your expections

go crazy go lose your mind,

go cray like no other

dance if you wanna,

rage if you gonna ❞

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"WHSH"

19/02/12

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I have been a fan of PLT's music for a while, including everyone's solo music yet I still only recently payed more attention to Moti's music and listened to it more, so when the news about a new mini album by him dropped I was more than happy and ever since its release I also had it on repeat and didn't become tired of it at all. For this blog I picked the track "Humble" which is the most laid back song of the album and probably my most listened one because the vibe just fits to every mood you might be in, yet Moti still spits some fire in those rap verses in between. Maybe it's also because the song contains the most English lyrics that I became so attached to it because it's the song which I understand the most and it just convinces me of Moti's ion about music more and I have to say Papa Moti raised his son very well! This song is recommended to everyone who likes K-hip hop, but others should give it a try too since it's way softer than many other hip hop songs and very relaxing to listen to!

❝ papa always worry bout me

son u better be humble

so I chase it more than money

yeah I rather struggle ❞

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"The End of Nightmare"

19/02/13

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I think this was actually the first time I have actively listened to a Dreamcatcher album from start to end and I am once again impressed by their versatility! At first I hesitated while choosing, especially between "Daydream" and "Diamond" but I eventually decided on the ballad "Daydream" because I think this is a great song to show people who might not actually like the style of Dreamcatcher's title tracks. The instrumental of the song with the piano and guitar is beautiful and you can really daydream to it well and Dreamcatcher just has incredible vocalists who can shine so well in this track, especially when you watch their few live performances of it. I also really love Dami's part, as in most of their songs she raps with a very low tone, I didn't know she could also sing with such a beautiful higher tone! So anyone who loves slower songs and also anyone who might not be into Dreamcatcher's other songs should give this one a listen!

❝ even if the red light in the sky

over there disappears

don't take another step

further away from me

I will hold hands with you

and walk together during the night ❞

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"Follow SATURDAY"

19/02/13

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# dance

Next to SATURDAY's new very very catchy and upbeat title track "WiFi" the girls released another song on their single album. This song, "Super Bad", is just as catchy as their title song though. The instrumental slowly builds up in the beginning and makes the song very fun and happy. The girls' voices also fit this kind of song very well, I especially love the chorus here, even though I am not that often that big of a fan of that high-pitched singing style, but it does fit the style here! And we even got a dance practice and they promoted the song on music shows and the choreography is just as fun as the song, this is definitely a must listen to everyone who enjoys cuter and fun concepts!

❝ you're like the back of my head

I can never see you

you're like a hidden treasure

only I look for you

it's like I can catch you but I can’t

are you really my boyfriend? ❞

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"V"

19/02/14

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VANNER just debuted with a full album, 10 tracks, not making my decision to pick one song easy, and they do have several very upbeat and fun songs on that album but yet again I went with a ballad. The reason I went with a ballad is that I love VANNER's vocalists and even though they could show their skills in the title track already, I still feel the song as whole distracted from the vocals. "Like A Star" is a typical ballad though with a simple instrumental, starting out with the rappers, whose deep voices actually go very well with this kind of slower songs too and then we get to the vocalists and I can just advice you to pay attention to this group because they have a whole lot of potential!

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"# dawn"

19/02/14

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As ionate 24U of course I have to include Jeonguk's first solo album! Similar to most of his Soundcloud releases as well to his previous mixtape, this album has overall a very calm and relaxing style, the song I choose is actually relatively fast paced compared to the other tracks, but still not aggressive or anything like that. Jeonguk's deep voice really go well with the more laid back style and somehow he still manages to make his songs catchy and addictive! Again, hip hop fans should definitely check out this track and the rest of his album and I promise I am not only saying this because I am biased, but because Jeonguk is a talented rapper with a great music style. :')

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"WE ARE HERE"

19/02/18

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It took me a while to listen to this mini album and it took me even longer to pick a song. I didn't exactly love every single song on the album, but the ones I did I loved even more! As mentioned, I love dramatic songs, and MONSTA X is way too good at those and several songs on that album have the potential to be a title track. To end my struggle I eventually choose "Stealer" and I don't even think I have seen anyone talking about this song before which surprises me a little. The beginning of the song already makes you anticipate something very dramatic, I really love the rap verses and I even really love the chorus despite being full on EDM, but I just can't get it out of my head anymore once I heard it. This is the definition of a bop.

❝ it's not a dream, it's me

we're not all that perfect

you alone for a second

do not ever look for me

you know I found you ❞

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"[X X]"

19/02/19

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LOONA's new album hasn't disappointed me at all! All the songs give me kind of a nostalgic feeling, at some parts they often remind me of early 2000's songs and I hesitated to choose one song but eventually this one won me over the most! Somehow it has a lighthearted feeling, yet it still displays the emotions and longing for someone else as the lyrics show. The instrumental is kept extremely simple and the vocals are obviously in the center of this song, especially the harmonies in the chorus really get to me. LOONA shows here that you don't need much to make a beautiful and enjoyable song and if you like great vocalists, you should definitely listen to this song!

❝ hey I still think about you like I used to

if I pray for seeing you every day

come back and hug me if you me

the prickly words I threw

and hurt you back then

I wish to have them back

I wish to see you again ❞

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"BORN ; 本"

19/02/19

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I was very positively surprised by TREI's debut, these three guys go so well together! I probably wouldn't have checked out their mini album for quite another while though if it wasn't for this blog, but I'm glad I did, even if I struggled so much to choose a song. "Lady" convinced me in the end because it really spreads just positive and happy vibes throughout the whole song. The whole mini album keeps a similar sound, but the songs still give off such different vibes. If you liked their title track, you should definitely also listen to this track, even though it's more upbeat instead of emotional than the title song, but the guitar, the fantastic vocals, the playful rap verses, I boldly claim that this song is literally perfect as it is.

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"Allure"

19/02/20

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Hyomin dropped another mini album and of course it had to be another masterpiece! As soon as I read the track list I knew I had to include this track and after listening I was even more sure of it. This is the jazz version of Hyomin's title track "Allure" with which the mini album starts and it isn't common in K-Pop to have any jazz styled song but I welcome this a lot!! The instrumental is so well composed yet it doesn't really take the focus from Hyomin's more than fantastic vocals but rather compliment her slightly raspy and very fitting voice. As much as I like her Pop releases, I wouldn't mind a whole album in this style and she actually sounds like she enjoys singing it too. Making a jazz version is a strong move and they did it so well with this track!

❝ just by slightly turning your lips up

just by slightly showing your teeth

how does it feel?

my heart goes up, up

I can make you happy

just by slightly turning your lips up ❞

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"NARCISSUS"

19/02/20

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I will be honest, my expectations for this SF9 comeback were a bit too high and I didn't enjoy the title track as much as I hoped to but thankfully we have a whole mini album full of more bops, mainly very upbeat and fun ones and "Hotly" or "Play Hard" might be the most upbeat one. Usually I am not a big EDM fan, but it's used so well in this song, it's extremely catchy and instantly makes you want to dance. It's like a less Latin/more EDM version of Mamma Mia. The duality of SF9 to go from angsty to party song is incredible but they really can do anything! From the fun rap verses, over the bridge that builds up anticipation, to the chorus which isn't a let down at all, even the break down towards the end, everything goes well together. It's honestly not a unique genre, but it just fits SF9 and personally I can see myself become overly obsessed with this song soon.

❝ just by slightly turning your lips up

just by slightly showing your teeth

how does it feel?

my heart goes up, up

I can make you happy

just by slightly turning your lips up ❞

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"Aside"

19/02/20

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As a Wannable who was been very Jisung biased ever since Produce 101 I am more than proud and happy to see my man debuting as soloist! In most of Wanna One's songs we couldn't here him sing much but now he gets his deserved time to shine! The album is mainly containing ballads since Jisung's voice fits them the best. I choose to include "Why Not Me?" in here because of its soft yet emotional vibe and the lyrics too convey a hopeful yet hurt feeling. Loving someone who doesn't love you but not being able to let go off them, I think the song does a very good job at underlining the lyrics. Jisung might not be the best vocalist of all time, but his voice is very comforting to listen to and if you like ballads, you better listen to this track!

❝ it can't be

you loving me

I want to forget you even if it's for a day

I'm still living in hope.

I'm not all right

I'm going crazy every day

Reluctantly, I can't let go

I'm waiting for you just in case ❞

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"I made"

19/02/26

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As for (G)I-DLE I had to choose a rather calm song too because I was surprised to hear this kind of song in their new mini album but I loved it right from the start! The song is very laid back, has a rather mysterious and dark, almost intimidating, vibe. The instrumental is kept simple, only at certain parts it brings in some guitar or other little element you wouldn't even really notice that much when not paying much attention but they're giving the song much more impact. The vocals stand out very much in this song and they all sound SO good, they also have a lot of harmonizing in that song which again you often don't notice that much, but it all comes together to make a beautiful and impactful song, despite its slower pace!

❝ everything collapses

I'm falling apart

with past memories that I have

I ask you again even though I know

is this how it ends?

are we done now? ❞

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"FL1P"

19/02/26

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As K-hip hop fan of course I can't leave out Sik-K's first full album in this blog! I already loved the title song a lot but the rest of the album makes it just better! I included "Mi Casa Es Tu Casa" which is a collab between Sik-K, Jessi and The Quiett, 3 rapper with very different styles and I wouldn't have expected them to go so well together but they do and they created a truly fantastic song! I actually really love the slightly abract beat paired with some Latin vibes and all three rappers stay true to their styles and prove their skills. The song somehow makes you want to dance yet it's actually more relaxed than many other songs on that album and can be listened to at pretty much every time of the day and it even manages to get better every time you listen to it!

❝ if you wanna go baby let's go

I know you wanna put it on me I know

winding grinding

baby mi casa es tu casa ❞

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"My Moment"

19/02/28

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And last but not least, another former Wanna One member has debuted as soloist! And as expected of an excellent vocalist as Sungwoon, we are blessed by some beautiful ballads! " You" is a song that is somehow comforting yet emotional, but overall it has a very positive vibe, also thanks to Sungwoon's very beautiful and soft voice tone. The song starts very simple, only with a piano, before more instruments in and create a fantastic build up to the impactful chorus. It's a classic ballad, nothing actually unexpected, but you don't always need songs to be overly exciting, this song is still more than beautiful, from the instrumental over Sungwoon's vocals to the break down of the instrumental towards the end until the song finishes just as it started, very quietly.

❝ I will try to you

trying to recall the memories

that I treasure deep in my heart

I will try to you

you who gave me a gift of memory

I will try to you ❞

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Finally this is it for this blog!

There are so many more bops though, feel free to comment your personally favorites of February and let me know what you think of the songs I included in case you listen to them! ♡

Thanks for reading!