This week’s charts include new chart toppers and fresh releases to close out the sizzling season. Finish off the summer with vitalizing pop, mellow R&B, emotional trap, sentimental tropical house, or an inspiring ballad hot off the music charts.

NEW MONTH, NEW CHART TOPPERS

Red Velvet energizes this summer with “Power Up!” from their Summer Magic EP, released on August 6. Their last summer release, “Red Flavor,” exploded among listeners with their feet-stomping beat and chanting chorus. “Power Up!” returns as another rejuvenating summer song with the five girls revitalizing listeners with lyrics about enjoying summer to the fullest with a positive energy that will keep you invigorated even past the hot season. To the beat of a bubbly 8-bit dance track and popping visuals of fruits and juicy drinks, viewers can cool down from watching the music video alone. With an all-kill status since its first day of release, Red Velvet has consistently been dominating the number one spot on all major music streaming sites like MelOn and Gaon, which is a strong indicator of the group’s status as the next summer comeback queens. Power up with Red Velvet’s new track to keep you as cool as the waves of Kauai as the summer comes to a close.

ZICO and IU, team up for sentimental single, “SoulMate,” released on July 30. Although best known for his rapping skills, ZICO shares his own gentle vocals with IU for this mellow R&B track. Both vocalists sing from the point of view of soulmates experiencing intense emotions from even the simplest of joys and inevitably gravitating toward each other despite the ups and downs of their relationship. The music video whimsically illustrates the destined journey of these two soulmates as they struggle to meet up due to the mishaps they encounter, like stubborn elevator buttons, indoor thunderstorms, a horde of skiers, and more inconveniences until the two finally meet in the same elevator that’s tied down by the red string of fate. The rapper and singer reunite after their 2009 collaboration with IU’s “Marshmallow” and listeners can see their growth as artists and chart toppers with their latest single that currently ranks number one on Gaon’s weekly chart and in the Top Five on other music streaming sites as well.

A not-so hidden gem dominating music charts is Shaun with his solo release of “Way Back Home” on June 27. For those unfamiliar with the non-idol artist and member of the indie rock band, THE KOXX, Shaun released this tropical house hit off of his EP, Take. Many questioned his position on the charts which surpassed chart monsters like TWICE and BLACKPINK, who both carry strong fanbases to support heavy streaming. However, Shaun has also produced for K-Pop groups like f(x), EXO, and BTS in addition to his musical background. Currently number one on Instiz’s Weekly Chart and number two on MelOn, Gaon, and Genie, “Way Back Home” demonstrates how musical quality is an important factor for music charts that supersedes fanbases, especially since the song has been standing strong against other summer releases. Questionable or not, the song is definitely worth a listen with its chill, tropical ambience and touching lyrics of reminiscing a gone loved one, making Shaun an artist to look out for.  

LETHAL LOVE

iKON returns with “Killing Me” from their latest EP, New Kids: Continue, on August 2. Following their melodramatic love song, “Love Scenario,” that resonated with the public, the seven boys change up their sound with a dark trap beat that expresses raw emotion. From the nostalgia of sweet memories in a bitter reality conveyed in their previous release, “Killing Me” delves into the intensity of these post-breakup emotions that physically pain them. Currently placed 12 on Melon and Genie, iKON showcases their versatility in music genres with the positive reaction of their 2018 comebacks which diverge from their initial hip-hop heavy and aggressive sound, developing more diverse, yet “ikonic” hits.   

FRESH, NEW BEGINNINGS

Taeyeon and Melomance open up SM Station’s third season—”STATION X 0”—on August 10 with their collaboration song, “Page 0.” As an opening song to the third installment of the music series, “Page 0” focuses on new beginnings free from added pressures and taking control of your future by being the author of your story and starting fresh off a new page. Messages of perseverance, independence, and liberation are conveyed through the music video with different story lines—including a dancer determined to learn from mistakes, a distressed man who finds relief through friends, and same-sex couples openly in love and free from judgement—with the soft and warm vocals of ballad legends, Taeyeon and Melomance, cheering them on with lyrics of support. At number 12 on Bugs! weekly music chart, the first station collab shows much anticipation for future releases such as Baekhyun and LOCO, and a super girl group consisting of Red Velvet’s Seulgi, GFRIEND’s SinB, and (G)-IDLE’s Soyeon.