B-Sides: Out of This World
Some groups have broken the mold of the traditional modern sound to go for something more eccentric and memorable. This week in B-Sides, we explore some of the most ambitiously different and otherworldly tracks that have been released in K-Pop.
“3rd Eye” - Stray Kids
If you’re looking for the most eclectic song you can find, look no further than Stray Kids’s “3rd Eye.” The track feels like it’s straight out of the twilight zone, and even features a particularly eerie breakdown verse of distorted voices two-thirds of the way through the song. Still, the track has an unspeakably strong allure with the feature of Felix’s deep voice and smooth rapping verses from Han, Changbin, and Hyunjin. Musically, this song is ambitious and eccentric, but Stray Kids somehow pull it off perfectly.
“Codex Gigas” - Bang Yongguk
Bang Yongguk has gone in a different musical direction since departing from B.A.P, exploring a myriad of different genres in his latest album BANGYONGGUK. “Codex Gigas” begins as a soft, acoustic melody that takes a sharp turn with an otherworldly screech about a minute in, shifting the mood of the track into something much more sinister and haunting. The soft, chanting rhythm behind his melancholy rapping adds an eerie feeling to the track. Yongguk has proved that he can master even the most diverse types of music, and “Codex Gigas” is an ode to that fact.
“The 7th Sense” - NCT U
The unconventional melody of “The 7th Sense” captivated the K-Pop community back in 2016 when NCT U debuted with this track. It’s not nearly as eerie as “3rd Eye” or “Code Gigas,” but “The 7th Sense” has its own peculiar feel that is both slightly off-putting and strangely attractive. This mix along with the smooth R&B melody makes for an unforgettable track, as shown by its popularity when it first came onto the scene.
“Robot” - WJSN
How could I not include Cosmic Girls, the queens of otherworldly concepts, in a list about otherworldly tracks? “Robot” definitely has a different feel from what the girl group usually releases, beginning with the fact that it is produced by Giriboy. The song has a futuristic melody that we don’t hear in other K-Pop tracks, adding a unique element to the track’s otherwise traditional musical components.
“Into The Void” - VIXX
VIXX’s “Into The Void” is a little different from the others on this list; the melody has a much more ancient and mystical feel as opposed to futuristic or sinister. I don’t believe I’ve come across another song that elicits such an ancient visual like this one, which makes it stand out even more. It’s easy to feel as if you’re being sucked into the void with this haunting and eerie melody accompanied by the intense vocals VIXX is so well known for.