Throwback Thursday: Burning Up!

Summer is just around the corner and with warmer weather on the way, it’s time to start vamping up your summer playlist! For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we’re throwing it back to some of our hottest favorites.

“Like a Fire” - SHINee

Released as part of 2013’s Why So Serious? - The Misconceptions of Me, SHINee’s “Like a Fire” is an R&B-pop fusion track that really lets the mega-famous boy group’s vocals shine without straying into ballad territory. With a minimal instrumental that pulls from 90’s R&B influence, both Jonghyun and Onew in particular have great moments in this song. The funk guitar in the pre-chorus is the icing on the cake.

“Fire” - JJCC

In 2015, boy group JJCC released their digital single “Fire.” Driven by its low brass line, the song is your typical set-fire-to-the-stage track. On top of its classic hype message, “Fire” also has plenty of catchy lines such as the repeated “The roof is on fire!” which is only made better by the group’s choreography in the music video. 

“Burning” - PHANTOM

2012 saw the release of PHANTOM’s first mini-album Phantom City, and with it their song “Burning.” Though formed as a hip-hop group, “Burning” is a breakup song that really highlights the group’s vocals. The song is about as 2012 pop as it gets in terms of sound, but PHANTOM really does a great job at putting their own spin on heartbreak and it is truthfully an underrated song.

“Hotshot” - Brown Eyed Girls

Brown Eyed Girls are known for their experimentation with genres and 2011’s retro-infused “Hotshot” shows them at their best. The song was released as a single prior to the release of the group’s fourth album Sixth Sense. From its vintage influences to the incredible vocals from the girls to the concepts used in promotions, “Hotshot” has everything to make a track straight fire that practically begs to be added to your music library.

“Burn It Up” - WANNA ONE

“Burn It Up” comes from WANNA ONE’s hit debut mini-album 1X1=1 (To Be One), and served as the B-side promoted alongside their record-breaking title song “Energetic.” The song is an EDM-house track with an addictive hook and a strong emphasis on its percussive builds and drops, made all the more powerful by the group’s strong choreography. Though not the title track of the album, the group’s immense popularity saw “Burn It Up” chart on the Weekly Gaon Digital Chart at No. 4, ultimately landing the song at No. 12 on the monthly chart.