B-Sides: Best of January 2021
Now that the first month of 2021 is done and over with, not many things in life feel like they’ve really changed much since 2020. However, we did get new music from some of our favorite idols and that always helps smooth things over. This week, we’ll be looking at some of the best B-sides released in January.
“KO, OK!” by MCND
Rookie boy group MCND released their third mini-album, MCND AGE, on January 8, 2021 with title track “Crush.” Like every MCND release since they debuted last year, MCND AGE shows the group continuing to excel in their “hip-hop with a twist” genre, but “KO, OK!” feels completely out of left field, and that’s what makes it so exceptional. The techno beat and brass instruments heard in the verses and chorus are refreshing and make this track a champion, just like the boys sing in track.
“Where is Love?” by VICTON
VICTON released their first full-length album on January 11, 2021. Titled VOICE : The future is now, the album was wildly anticipated by fans, especially after it was postponed due to the group being exposed to a staff member who tested positive for COVID. On an album filled with upbeat tracks, it was member Hanse’s solo track “Where is Love?” that stood out to us. With its haunting aura and Hanse’s delivery, it’s a song you’ll want to put on repeat and admire all of its little intricacies. You can read our review for VICTON’s first full album here.
“수상소감 (Acceptance Speech)” by Epik High ft. B.I
After nearly two years without a release from the hip-hop legends, Epik High released Epik High Is Here 上 (Part 1) on January 18, 2021. Featuring former iKON member B.I and a line from Epik High’s 2017 track “BLEED,” “수상소감 (Acceptance Speech)” shows the artists coming together to release a diss track that sometimes feels pointed towards their former label. The interesting thing with this diss track though is that while the edge is there in the lyrics, the tempo of the track stays rather subdued throughout. You can read our review for Epik High’s Epik High Is Here 上 (Part 1) here.
“What You Doing?” by ONEUS
ONEUS released their first full-length album DEVIL on January 19, 2021. The album features title track “반박불가 (No diggity)” and their first digital single “뿌셔 (BBUSYEO),” but one of the highlights of the album is B-side “What You Doing?” As noted in our review, the song features trance influences and a catchy beat, but there also seems to be an underlying funk element that comes into play during the chorus and some callbacks to ‘90s pop. Musically, there’s a lot coming together for this track and it’s a lot of fun.
“Poison Love” by Dreamcatcher
When we think of a Dreamcatcher release, we think horror-based, metal-infused rock-n-roll. That’s what made Dystopia : Road to Utopia such a surprise; the girl group incorporated more than rock for this mini-album. B-side “Poison Love” blended EDM and trance elements for an entirely different approach to music from Dreamcatcher, and that’s what makes it so exciting. They’ve shown they can master different genres of rock, but if the girl group continues to experiment outside of rock, we can only hope that they finally get the recognition that they deserve. Click here to read our review for Dreamcatcher’s Dystopia : Road to Utopia.
“Party, Feel, Love” by HyunA ft. DAWN
With HyunA’s first post-Cube Entertainment music being released in 2019, her first mini-album I’m Not Cool was highly anticipated and definitely delivered. Title track “I’m Not Cool” is classic HyunA, but “Party, Feel, Love” featuring her boyfriend DAWN is unexpected and perfect. Opening with a haunting organ that carries into DAWN’s first verse, the song then shifts to a more sultry, R&B beat during HyunA’s verse. The duo doesn’t hide any of their feelings for each other, including some of the more intimate details, giving the track a more mature vibe. You can read our review for HyunA’s I’m Not Cool here.