Best of May 2024

This year is flying by so quickly! How are we already in June, halfway through 2024? One thing that has added to these months going by so fast is all of the incredible songs that have been released each month, especially in May. We had so many great comebacks last month from soloists, boy groups, and girl groups. With so much to listen to, here are a select few of my favorite B-side tracks to have been released in May 2024.

“Empty Box” - ATEEZ

In their latest mini-album, GOLDEN HOUR : Part 1, ATEEZ break away from their energetic, dance-inducing, Latin and reggae-inspired tracks to deliver a delicate bedroom pop interval with their alternative ballad "Empty Box.” ATEEZ approach this track with somber tones that evoke melancholy as the members’ soft and emotive vocals flow across the song’s lo-fi beat. Moving on from painful memories after a break-up, ATEEZ capture bittersweet essences inside powerful yet delicate and soothing sounds, allowing “Empty Box” to stand out as a wonderfully distinctive B-side across all of ATEEZ’s impressive catalog.  

“Loyalty” - BM

We’ve all heard BM’s enticing rap and singing vocals before, whether it be his previous solo material or his work as a member of the co-ed group KARD but something about his vocal delivery in “Loyalty,” the third track from his first EP Element, captivates me, making me desperate to hear more of him in this way. “Loyalty” incorporates an old-school R&B beat mixed with a smooth Latin groove and guitar melody, reminiscent of Santana and The Product G&B’s 1999 hit “Maria Maria.”  In classic BM style, BM approaches the track with his seductive and alluring charm, complete with his playful and attractive vocals that deliver his flirtatious and suggestive words. 

“Birth” - ARTMS

Having officially debuted in May 2024 with their album <DALL>, ARTMS has quickly become one of my favorite girl groups in K-Pop. The production and vocal delivery within each track is of an incredibly high standard, making it a tough decision to choose a favorite B-side. After alternating between several tracks, the closing track (and pre-release single) “Birth” stands out on top for me with its eerie, dark, and experimental sound that leaves a lasting impression on the listener. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song quite like “Birth” before, within the K-Pop scene. The dreamcore concept in the audio and the music video for “Birth” is hauntingly captivating and cinematic, enticing you into ARTMS’s dark, fantastical world that you don’t want to escape from.

Edited by Cara Musashi