Best of March 2024
March 2024 was a strong month of comebacks, especially for the men of K-Pop, with many great new releases from both new and more experienced boy groups. With all these releases, I tried to dive into groups I had never listened to before or had only listened to on a casual basis and I was pleasantly surprised by what I heard. So, with so much to listen to, here is a look at some of my favorite B-side releases from some great K-Pop boy groups last month.
“Let Me Love You” - DAY6
The penultimate track from the rock band’s latest, and eighth mini-album FOUREVER, DAY6’s single “Let Me Love You” is a beautifully composed soft rock-pop ballad that carries an intricate retro feel through its instrumentation. Bass player (and co-writer) Young K drives the chorus with his captivating vocals, particularly when singing the line, “Let me give you all my love.”* His emphasis and elongation of the word “love” grasps my attention with every listen, making me want to dive deeper into his solo material and other DAY6 tracks where his vocals shine. Although not associated with any K-Dramas, “Let Me Love You” would be the perfect track for a K-Drama OST; close your eyes, listen to the song, and allow “Let Me Love You” to take your mind to a dramatic scene where two characters fall for each other or finally confess their love for one another.
“Feel Your Love (48.6Hertz)” - Highlight
Highlight has been active for many years now (first debuting as BEAST in 2009 before debuting as Highlight in 2017) but their music continues to remain fresh with added nuances of nostalgic goodness that make them a great band for K-Pop fans of all ages to listen to. From their recent fifth mini-album Switch On, the third track “Feel Your Love (48.6Hertz)” is one of these tracks to explore that new yet old vibe. Without knowing who the artist is, “Feel Your Love (48.6Hertz)” could easily be mistaken for a track by a younger or rookie group with its fresh yet older-influenced tones; think songs by the likes of CIX and even ATEEZ and MONSTA X (but without the rapping). It’s an enjoyable track that feels perfect for the upcoming summer season, complete with delightful vocals and a fun hyper-pop beat that leaves the listener wanting to hear more.
“AREA” - TAN
The closing track from their first full-length album W SERIES ‘3 TAN’ (WORLD Ver.), TAN deliver a second-generation influenced gem with their single “AREA.” From beginning to end, this track gives me throwback Super Junior, SHINee, and other second-generation boy group vibes through its production, composition, and lyrics. It’s a fun track with a catchy beat and strong vocals and raps from the TAN members. While some listeners may favor some of the other tracks on the album, due to them having a more current and progressive sound, “AREA” provides me with a feeling of nostalgia and reminds me of some of my favorite songs that brought me to the world of K-Pop. After checking out this album, I can’t wait to go through TAN’s discography with W SERIES ‘3 TAN’ (WORLD Ver.) being a great introduction to their sound for me.
“You” - BAE173
Having never listened to BAE173 before, I am blown away by the vocals of the BAE173 members in their fifth mini-album NEW CHAPTER : LUCEAT, more specifically in the mini-album’s closing track “You.” This stunning ballad highlights the members’ incredible singing and rapping abilities, with them layered over a slow beat led by piano, guitar, drums, and electronic beats. Together these instruments create a subtle rock ambience within a slow pop, R&B casing that is beautiful to listen to as the members’ delicate vocals glide over the smooth backtrack. Thanks to “You,” I have been drawn into a world of BAE173’s music and I am so excited to explore more songs from this K-Pop octet.
Edited by Cara Musashi