September Favorites
Favorite Song: “Deja Vu” - ATEEZ
It’s true that I am quite ATEEZ biased, so this choice isn’t a huge surprise. From the moment the song opened, it was obvious that “Deja Vu” was going to hit different. The song has a very different sound from their usual releases, but they do an awesome job regardless. In my review, I highlight in-depth the reasons the song hits so hard, but there’s something so cool about the power behind this track despite the fact that it feels much softer than previous releases. Instead of such an in-your-face intense type of beat, this song is lighter but still packs a punch. Everything about it has been enjoyable, and it’s certainly on the heavy rotations list.
Favorite Album: Sticker - NCT 127
This choice is a surprise given the fact that I have absolutely nothing good to say about the title track of this new album. There has never been a time where I’ve straight out said a K-Pop song is bad until “Sticker,” and after listening to the rest of the album, it is baffling that that was chosen as the title track when the full album is all around total quality and full of fantastic tracks. The second track “Lemonade” is a fan favorite for good reason, and should have definitely been the title. But all of that aside, there are a myriad of different genres on this album that NCT 127 performs flawlessly, which really showcases their versatility as a group. A personal favorite is “The Rainy Night,” a R&B ballad waltz that has such a unique type of sound and is so different from the usual intense and driving tracks NCT 127 produces. There’s something for everyone on this album, whether you prefer softer and slower tempo music or the hard-hitting intensity.
Favorite Music Video: “Zombie” - PURPLE K!SS
The theme for this music video was in the same realm as last month, but with the spooky season upon us it feels very fitting. PURPLE K!SS shows us a more playful zombie concept in the song aptly named “Zombie.” With an upbeat track comes a bright and cute video to accompany it as well. The use of neon colors both in the background and on the girls is very pleasing to the eye, and their punk-inspired outfits are definitely fashion goals. It feels almost campy, but that’s definitely what makes it so fun. There are still some of the horror elements of zombies, but the way they’re presented makes it feel much more playful than horrific. “Zombie” all around is a fun way to kick off 2021’s spooky season.
Favorite Music Show Performance: “PING PONG” - HyunA&DAWN on M!COUNTDOWN
After watching the K-Pop world implode over the announcement of HyunA and DAWN dating in 2018, nothing is sweeter than watching the couple thrive in their careers together. It feels like an ultimate middle finger to the industry to have them make music and perform together after being kicked from their agency for their personal lives, and it’s the type of change we love to see. “PING PONG” is a super catchy song, and it’s fun to watch their energy come together in the performance.