B-Sides with British Vibes
If you have been on TikTok over the past few months, then you may have seen some videos highlighting K-Pop songs that many UK fans say give off "British vibes"—believing they sound like the songs played at a British fun fair, on Capital FM (one of the UK's biggest radio stations), or as part of the soundtrack to Love Island (one of the country's biggest dating reality shows). These songs are basically of the house and EDM genres, with not all but many of these songs having been produced by British-based music producers, LDN Noise, which is why a lot of these songs give off these "British vibes." So, for this week's B-side tracks, let's take a look at some of the songs that will give you a small taste of the kind of music you can expect to hear in the UK entertainment scene.
“TING TING TING (with Oliver Heldens)” - ITZY
A collaboration with Oliver Heldens, a Dutch EDM producer, ITZY’s “TING TING TING” is the second track off of the girl’s 2020 IT’z ME album; a fun and energetic EDM-infused K-Pop dance track that, alongside the girls’ vocals, features a football-like chant by Heldens in two sections of the song. With lyrics written by K-Hip-Hop artist penomeco, “TING TING TING” is a super catchy and addictive track that you will quickly become addicted to, even if you are not a fan of the house and EDM music genres.
“Go Big or Go Home” - ENHYPEN
A K-Pop dance track produced by LDN Noise, ENHYPEN’s “Go Big or Go Home'' is a B-side off of their 2021 album DIMENSION: DILEMMA that highlights both the group’s lower and higher vocal range separately through the verses and choruses. According to UK K-Pop fans on TikTok, “Go Big or Go Home'' is said to give off major Capital FM vibes with electronic and dance elements that make the song reminiscent of a British club classic and house track, making “Go Big or Go Home” the perfect song for a club night out.
“Salty” - The Boyz
One of the best B-side tracks of 2020, The Boyz’s “Salty” is the fifth track off of the group's first full-length album, REVEAL. It’s a dance track with bittersweet lyrics about love being both sweet and salty. The song has a unique melody that catches many fans by surprise, starting off soft and slow with a synthesizer backing track that then transitions into an EDM and drum-beat-influenced track reminiscent of a UK club classic. “Salty” is very vocal-based with little to no rapping heard, unlike in the group’s title tracks. Instead, we get the chance to listen to main rapper Sunwoo’s incredible vocals.
“Roller Coaster” - TXT
Taken from the group’s 2019 album The Dream Chapter: MAGIC, “Roller Coaster” is a B-side track by TXT (Tomorrow X Together) that the group’s maknae, Huening Kai, is credited for having participated in the writing and producing of the song. “Roller Coaster” carries house and pop elements that are composed of synthesizers, club beats, and soft vocals that combine to create a unique and addictive dance track that is different to other TXT songs you might have heard before.