2021 Winter Release Roundup
Every December, we get a slew of K-Pop and K-R&B artists releasing their own holiday music to fit the merry season. For this SOTW, we’re looking at the releases that have come out this year so you can add even more K-Pop to your Christmas playlist.
Ailee & Wheein - “Solo Christmas”
Solo vocalist Ailee teamed up with MAMAMOO’s Wheein for a gorgeous ballad holiday release in “Solo Christmas.” While we often get the upbeat and merry pop tracks from other groups (minus EXO), “Solo Christmas” has a tinge of loneliness, feeling more like a cold winter night rather than a happy Christmas night. For those that enjoy soft ballads with strong vocal emphasis, this song can’t be overlooked. The vocal talents of both these ladies really takes center stage against the soft piano melody.
SOLE - “Merry Merry”
If you like a little taste of R&B added to your holiday tracks, definitely check out SOLE’s winter single album! Lead title “Merry Merry” has a soft but bright quality to it, making it the perfect holiday track.
Zion.T - “A Gift”
A surprise announcement and single drop from Zion.T is certainly “A Gift” for this holiday season! While the soloist has released holiday tracks in the past, they are few and far between, and it’s been a few years since we’ve gotten one. “A Gift” has the signature R&B sound we’ve all become accustomed to with the singer, and only has subtle hints of holiday musical elements, which makes it a good track year round as well.
Billlie - “snowy night”
Billlie only just made their debut, and yet the rookie girl group brings us some fresh holiday cheer! “snowy night” has a bit less of a holiday feel and more of a traditional pop melody, so if you’re a fan of less obvious Christmas releases, this may be the song for you.
PURPLE K!SS - “My My”
Back to a more traditional holiday release, PURPLE K!SS has a traditional K-Pop Christmas release chock full of merriment. The video has plenty of Christmas motifs, their outfits are winter inspired, and the song itself has jingle bells as the main focus in the melody.
LUNARSOLAR - “Christmas is You”
Another track with jingle bells and the music box melody as the main focus, rookie group LUNARSOLAR’s “Christmas is You” has the upbeat and cute concept we often find going along with the holiday spirit.
The Boyz - “Candles”
The Boyz continue their tradition of a holiday release in 2021 with “Candles,” a song that takes a more ballad approach. In comparison to past holiday releases, this song has a more melancholy tone and places vocals at the forefront of the melody. Despite seeming a bit more somber in tone, the song has a light and sweet feeling.
TR.IBE - “Santa For You”
The rookie girl group holiday releases keep coming! TR.IBE joins the lineup with “Santa For You,” a track released back in November that kicked off the holiday releases (along with Stray Kids). The track has more hip-hop influences compared to the other releases, but still keeps the traditional holiday instrumentation we are all familiar with as a main focus in the melody.
LABOUM - “White Love”
This isn’t the first holiday release LABOUM has given us, and the track is reminiscent of the holiday releases in the past, of the second and third K-Pop generations. The overly upbeat and sweet track is rather nostalgic for those of us that remember the days of company holiday singles and special albums.