Best of B-Sides by Soloists in 2021
From heavy rock influences to synth-pop sounds, these B-sides were gems waiting to be discovered in 2021. As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look back at some of the best B-sides released by solo acts in Korean music.
“Helium” - Key
“Helium” by Key of SHINee is one of the best songs from the singer’s album BAD LOVE. The track is a trance-pop song with an energetic disco beat and a playful topline with a funky bass riff. Key seamlessly switches between his higher and lower registers, and the track flows like a soundtrack to an intergalactic adventure movie.
“Si Fueras Mía” - D.O.
The Spanish version of D.O’s song “It’s Love” is an acoustic pop song led by a Spanish guitar and subtle snaps. The sweet and sincere lyrics express that sometimes love can be dull and disappointing, but in the end, you still want to find it again and look forward to it. This is the second time the EXO member has performed a song in Spanish, the first being on tour in Mexico City.
“Narcissism” - Sunmi
“Narcissism” is a B-side inspired by the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection; however, Sunmi creates a different narrative on this synth-pop EDM track from her EP 1/6. She comes to the conclusion that she no longer recognizes the person she sees in the mirror.
“Pandora” - BamBam
Fom BamBam’s debut solo album riBBon, “Pandora” is an impressive track as it incorporates the album’s lyrical message into its production. With a simple bass loop and repeated humming, the song portrays the vicious cycle of Pandora’s box. The hip-hop song finds BamBam rebelling, but also realizing he has opened up a Pandora’s box because of his curiosity.
“TRASH” - Wheein ft. pH-1
While the album’s title track is pure pop bliss, MAMAMOO’s Wheein opts for an R&B sound for her B-sides on Redd. One of the best comes in the form of “TRASH,” featuring rapper pH-1. The sensual and groovy track with Wheein’s deep voice is about navigating secrets and privacy in a relationship but realizing it’s all useless in the end.
“Vanilla” - KAI
From KAI’s second mini-album Peaches, “Vanilla” is a minimalistic pop song featuring the singer’s beautiful falsettos. The simple yet dreamy track compares the sweetness of a relationship and falling in love to the vanilla flavor.
“Multiply” - WOODZ
“Multiply” by WOODZ is an R&B-infused city pop-style track, popularized recently by The Weeknd. Co-written by Tiyon “TC” Mack, “Multiply” is a sweet love song featuring WOODZ’s beautiful honey-like vocals. Performed entirely in English, the lyrics talk about promising to always be by each other’s side.
“My Way” - CL
The queen of originality, CL declares to her critics that she will continue to always be original and do things the way she pleases on her song “My Way,” from the rapper’s highly-anticipated album ALPHA. With rightfully boastful rap verses, CL returned to her throne on “My Way.”
“DeViL” - BOBBY
The album closer, “DeViL” by BOBBY of iKON is a heavy rock track featuring BOBBY’s powerful raps. The energetic drums and a choir sample make the song even more intense. With lyrics that are a declaration of war against those who stand in his way, the song expresses the desire for freedom.
“My sea” - IU
IU encourages her listeners to dive into the ocean of endless opportunities that life has to offer on “My sea,” a track on the singer’s fifth studio album, LILAC. A grand pop ballad, the song flows like a Disney soundtrack, fully accompanied by orchestral instrumentation and backing vocals by a choir. The track is a perfect representation of who IU is as an artist.