In part one of “My All-Time Favorite B-Sides (Girl Group Edition)” I only lightly scratched the surface. In this one, we will dig a little deeper and talk about some B-sides that stay on repeat in my car. 

“Can We Talk Again” - PURPLE K!SS 

On March 15, 2021, PURPLE K!SS debuted with their album, INTO VIOLET. This album has nothing but hits, but there is one song that stood out to me, and that is “Can We Talk Again.” This ballad is so dreamy. I remember hearing this for the first time and felt like I was sent to another universe. These girls don’t get praised enough for their vocals: they are amazing vocalists. The moments when they are harmonizing felt magical. This R&B track showcases not only the vocals of the girls, but also their acting abilities. The music video is dramatic and it felt like watching a movie. It’s a great song, and is a great insight into who PURPLE K!SS is. 

“Get Up” - NewJeans 

On July 21, 2023, mega girl group NewJeans dropped their long-awaited mini-album, NewJeans 2nd EP ‘Get Up’. Even though this song is only 36 seconds long, I still found myself replaying this song over and over again. The song is in the R&B genre and had such an impact on society even though it’s so short. This track is in English and I find myself screaming this song throughout the house. I and many other listeners are waiting for the day they drop the full version of that song. Until then, we will jam to the 36 second version. 

“My star” - MAMAMOO 

If you’ve never heard this song before, I recommend you listen to it. On March 14, 2019, vocal legends MAMAMOO dropped their album, White Wind. Besides their iconic title track, “gogobebe,” a song that resonated with me is “My Star.” This ballad isn’t like any other ballad. It’s a romantic track, with a hard-hitting beat, and powerful vocals; this song makes you feel like you are levitating. This song is jam-packed with whistle tones, belts, and runs, and it is a joy to listen to the members sing. If you don’t know about MAMAMOO, and like more vocal-based songs, I say go and listen to their music. These girls are super talented and this song is a prime example of their strong vocals.

Edited by Cara Musashi