B-Sides: The Best of February

Another month into 2019 has passed us by, and we’re closing in on the third month of the year. February has been full of great releases in the K-Pop world, and today we will look at some of the best B-sides the month had to offer.

“Ghost” - MONSTA X

Truthfully, I was rather underwhelmed by MONSTA X’s comeback this time around. If there was one song on the album that caught my attention, it was “Ghost.” “Ghost” incorporates the heavy hip-hop influences the group has been known for in the past, and something that is not as apparent in the other tracks of the album. The track has an infectious beat that is perfect for the rap line to shine, something they don’t get enough of on this album and it’s a shame. If you’re a fan of MONSTA X’s previous sounds, you’ll be enthralled with “Ghost” as well.

“Want It?” - ITZY

Though only recently debuted, ITZY has been making waves in the K-Pop industry. “Dalla Dalla” is a great empowering anthem, and “Want It?” follows that pattern as well. “Want It?” has a charming guitar melody that is reminiscent of alternative rock-influenced pop tracks from the 2000s, bringing back a wave of nostalgia to those of us who have been active in the music scene for many years. That distinct sound also adds a unique flavor that’s different from the title track, making the single album IT’z Different enjoyable for its different melodies.

“Diamond” - Dreamcatcher

The ladies have been absolutely dominating this month! Dreamcatcher’s comeback with “Piri” may be their strongest to date, but the title isn’t the only thing on The End of Nightmare that shines. “Diamond” is a fantastic musical mix of pop with both a reggae and heavy metal influence, bringing together the best of both worlds, at least in our book. Dreamcatcher’s B-sides don’t often incorporate the heavy metal influence like their titles, so it’s nice to have that change of pace for once. The fact that they were able to blend these two distinctly different melodies into one track is amazing and truly shows their talent as artists.

“Breakdown” - CLC

Okay, so technically this album came out in January, but if you’re not listening to it well into February you’re definitely missing out. Not only did CLC conquer the world with “No” and finally earn their first music show win, the mini-album No.1 was a solid release that performed well internationally. “Breakdown” is a track right smack in the middle of the album and features a soft and smooth R&B melody that is intoxicating. The relaxing sound complements the vocal talents of the group, making for a lovely and enjoyable track sure to leave you feeling good.

“Fall in Love” - SF9

I’ll admit that I’m not usually a big fan of SF9’s B-sides, at least more recently. Nothing much enthralled me on Mamma Mia or Sensuous, so it’s somewhat of a surprise that I chose something off of most recent album Narcissus. “Fall in Love” doesn’t follow SF9’s general formula for B-sides, which is what made it stick out to me. Instead of being a basic EDM melody, “Fall in Love” has a softer R&B ballad feel. The shift is a good sound for the group, and it makes for a romantic and warm track unlike the others on the album.