Best of December 2023

We may have entered a new year now, but what better time than to reflect on some of the best B-side tracks the last month of 2023 gave us? December was a great month for comebacks so let’s dive into some of the tracks we ended last year with.

“Youth (YUNHO, MINGI)” - ATEEZ

Through their latest album THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL, ATEEZ present ATINY with a stunning B-side track from members YUNHO and MINGI, titled “Youth.” The melody and composition of “Youth” express feelings of warmth and youthful nostalgia, while the lyrics touch on the sadness, pain, and loneliness that can be felt when entering adulthood. It’s great to hear a different vocal side to rapper MINGI who delivers his signature rap style but with a softer approach, as well as a charming, soft, vocal style in the chorus, that ATINY doesn’t hear too often. YUNHO, on the other hand, graces the track with his delicate and smooth voice in the song’s refrain and bridge, with both of their vocals working incredibly well together as a duo sub-unit. It’s a beautiful track that quickly became one of my favorite ATEEZ songs. 

“Down” - TVXQ!

Renowned K-Pop duo, TVXQ!, returned to the music scene on December 26, commemorating their 20th anniversary with their ninth studio album, 20&2. To open 20&2, TVXQ! kick the album off with “Down,” a pop track with an arrangement that borrows elements of rock to create an alluring and gripping audio experience. Like with all of their music (duo and solo material) U-KNOW and MAX CHANGMIN’s vocals do not disappoint; they are two of the best vocalists in the music industry whose vocal deliveries leave great impressions on the listener, especially their impressive high notes in the last section of the track. With vocals and duo chemistry like this, it is no surprise that TVXQ! is still going strong today. 

“Happy End.” - Zion.T

The tenth track on Zion.T’s latest album Zip brings the release to a “Happy End.,” exactly as its name suggests, providing listeners with a laidback and comforting melody and Zion.T’s warming vocals. As a casual listener to Zion.T’s music, “Happy End.” differs from the more R&B-focused tracks that I tend to listen to from him while simultaneously being a pleasant surprise that also sounds fitting to the style of music I listen to from Korean rock and indie bands. “Happy End.” is a sweet song with an even sweeter vibe and vocals that you can’t get enough of. Perhaps this is my cue to dive deeper into Zion.T’s discography.

Edited by Cara Musashi