B-Side Fall Vibes Part 2
It’s finally October, which means our favorite season is finally upon us! We’ve always associated a certain mood with fall—an appreciation for its beauty and a feeling of melancholy associated with the changing colors of the leaves as nature begins to prepare for winter. Fall is the time for cozy sweaters, warm drinks, and chilly weather, with the days growing shorter and the weather coaxing us back into hibernation. For this series, we’re presenting some of our favorite tracks to complement the changing season.
“Just” - Zion.T feat. Crush
There’s nothing quite like Zion.T’s style of music and vocals as the weather begins to grow colder. Something about his soft R&B style is a perfect fit for the season, making you feel the need to curl up with a warm cup of tea and a book with his album playing softly in the background. “Just” is a perfect example of this, with the imagery at the beginning of the music video foreshadowing the coming winter months. The addition of Crush only accentuates the sweet, honey vocals and overall chill feel perfect for the similarly approaching chill.
“Anti” - ZICO feat. G.Soul
ZICO’s musical style covers many different genres, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the producer extraordinaire has a slow jam track in his repertoire. “Anti” differs from his usual formula, however, in that while it is a bop, it’s not overly energetic. ZICO generally basks in the energy of his music, but this track is more relaxing, even during his traditionally intense rap verses. G.Soul’s smooth voice contrasts with that of the rapper’s in the chorus, really driving home the meaning of the lyrics.
“Flower” - XIA feat. Tablo
Back on the theme of tragic, yet beautiful, XIA (Junsu of JYJ)’s “Flower” is incredibly haunting, but even more beautiful than words can express. While the music video is far more on the artsy side and maybe not as easily comprehensible, it doesn’t change the general message of the song, leaving even Tablo’s verse completely intact. The opera-like undertones add to the overall melancholy of the track, with the beauty of it all accentuated by XIA’s strong vocals.
“If I” - SEVENTEEN
What’s this? SEVENTEEN’s hip-hop unit performing a softer rap track? “If I” is a nostalgic track reminiscing on the past and all of one’s mistakes and regrets. The tinge of sadness included in the process is expressed in the lyrics, which note the duality of dying leaves in all their beauty.
“The 7th Sense” - NCT U
Arguably one of the most legendary debuts of all time, “The 7th Sense” is a mysterious, almost euphoric R&B track that is so good, it's almost impossible to explain if you haven’t experienced the song yourself. A consistent beat, no drop, and unbelievable vocals tie together this, dare I say, seductive track. And while we were ready for NCT U, we certainly weren’t ready for NCT U in that moment. This smooth track is perfect for a relaxing evening amidst the days of dwindling light.