B-Sides: Rainy Day Anthems
It’s been a very rainy week for some of us, and on those days we find certain music to be particularly comforting. This week we’re covering some of our favorite rainy day songs that fit the mood well.
“Rain" - BTS
Aptly named, BTS’s “Rain” is a smooth, groovy track that utilizes the sound of rain as part of the melody to evoke the feelings that go along with experiencing a rainy day. Jungkook and Taehyung’s echoing vocals at the opening of the song evokes a sense of longing or distance, and the rap verses are smooth and soft, going along perfectly with the backing piano melody. Arguably the best part of the song, however, is J-Hope’s verse in which he starts singing before rapping. All in all, you won’t find another song that perfectly fits the rainy day mood like this one.
“Rewind” - B.A.P
Off B.A.P’s Honeymoon single album, “Rewind” is another track that utilizes the sound of a storm as a musical element in the introduction. The slow beat carries a sensual vibe along with a tinge of melancholy that is often associated with rainy days. Daehyun’s vocals are perfectly suited for this kind of mood, and his flawless harmonizing can be heard throughout the track. Leader Yongguk’s ridiculously deep vocal pitch is also a perfect fit for this concept, delivering a smooth and comforting rap verse. I find this song is particularly comforting when driving home through a rainstorm.
“Don’t Know You” - HEIZE
On a somewhat more upbeat note, next we have HEIZE’s “Don’t Know You.” HEIZE is known for her R&B-influenced music, so there’s a chill vibe that accompanies “Don’t Know You” despite the lively beat that contrasts with the previous two tracks. HEIZE has a rather pleasing vocal tone, but what really gives this song its rainy day feeling is definitely the outro portion, where we’re left with HEIZE harmonizing with the melody to the sound of rain. It’s different from what many would expect in a rainy theme, but it’s a nice change nonetheless.
“Into the Void” - VIXX
VIXX’s “Into the Void” is a very interesting piece in and of itself. The melody almost conjures an image of ancient times with the percussion, making it stand out almost immediately from most of the group’s other tracks. The song grows in intensity and melancholy before evaporating at the end of the track, almost like a passing thunderstorm. The intensity of the song overall elicits a strong emotional reaction that’s hard to explain, but that’s part of what makes it brilliant.
“What If” - EXO
Ending on about the softest note possible, we have EXO’s track “What If” off of the legendary EXODUS album. “What If” is one of the most emotional ballads I’ve ever come across, with the vibe being soft and barely growing at the chorus. That softness definitely evokes a gentle feeling in the heart, making you wonder who it was that could have possibly hurt them this badly. I find this song heart wrenchingly beautiful amidst quiet, rainy days, a fact which seems to only accentuate the emotional appeal of the melody.