Throwback Thursday: By the Numbers
It’s not about the numbers—or is it? This week’s Throwback Thursday brings you four tracks that prove quantity and quality sometimes go hand-in-hand.
“200%” - Akdong Musician
In 2014, indie duo Akdong Musician released this bright and airy love song. With its light acoustics, pastel-hued music video, and witty lyrics, “200%” perfectly illustrates the innocent feeling of falling in love. Not only do siblings Chanhyuk and Suhyun have complementary styles to make this song musically dynamic, but their quirkiness makes the already interesting music video amusing from start to finish.
“Twenty-Three” - IU
2015 brought us IU’s fourth mini-album CHAT-SHIRE, and with it, a Wonderland-esque title track by the name of “Twenty-Three.” The track lies towards the groovier side of IU’s discography as she sings of the gray areas one encounters at the inbetween age of 23, set against a disco beat straight out of the 1970s. In the accompanying music video, fans go on an eccentric and vibrant cinematic journey as IU stumbles into an alternate dimension to escape the woes of adulthood. Visually, it’s one of her best releases to date and proves that even the doldrums of early adulthood can be an adventure.
“2 Years Apart” - Eddy Kim
Singer-songwriter Eddy Kim serenaded his way into fans’ hearts in 2014 with his debut single, “2 Years Apart,” an upbeat acoustic track in which the singer pleads with his loved one to wait for him to be discharged from the military. The song isn’t necessarily sad or happy, but rather optimistic and determined—two moods that any person in a long-distance relationship can agree are necessary.
“Sixteen” - Samuel feat. Changmo
Aftering stealing hearts on Produce 101 in 2017, Samuel debuted as a solo artist with “Sixteen.” Between its synth-driven melodies and light beats, this dance track exemplifies the kind of pure happiness that only a 16-year-old with a crush can. The music video shows Samuel having the time of his life in a grocery store of all places, proving that no matter the setting, the feeling of falling in love can make any dull part of life a little more fun.