Best of July 2024
July was another fantastic month of comebacks this year. We were given so many incredible songs to add to our K-Pop playlists from many of our favorite artists, new and more established. Here are some of my favorites.
“또 다시 밤 (twilight)” - Stray Kids
The sixth track from Stray Kids’s highly anticipated comeback album ATE. “또 다시 밤 (twilight)” stands out from its surrounding energetic tracks, playing as a smooth, soulful, jazz song with blissful sounds and heavenly vocals from the members. Against a delicate piano piece mixed with a level of upbeatness (and also written by Han) Stray Kids sing from a place of missing and longing for someone, with them now feeling a sense of emptiness with lyrics such as, “it became a sad memory only we knew,” and, “I always cry without fail when I think of you.” Although the group has become more known for its noise and hype music, “또 다시 밤 (twilight)” is the perfect track to showcase Stray Kids’s talents at exceptionally delivering other genres that have a more relaxing and chilled vibe to them.
“2 Rings” - Dreamcatcher
Having given us one of their best title tracks to date with “Justice,” Dreamcatcher’s latest EP [VirtuouS] also delivered some of their best B-side tracks to date with the fourth track “2 Rings” instantly becoming my favorite. The instrumentation carries a blues rock style that mixes a quirky electronic vocal sound into the chorus. There’s an empowering element to the song that makes it feel like Dreamcatcher is fighting for something, with the lyrics further emphasizing this as they reveal Dreamcatcher to be ready to face their challenges singing the line, “too dangerous, but never mind, I can handle it.”
“Te Quiero” - KISS OF LIFE
One of the best songs to come out of the K-Pop scene this year, KISS OF LIFE’s “Te Quiero” is an incredible B-side track from their two-track single release “Sticky.” A Latin-R&B-Pop-inspired single, the song heavily draws on romance and sensualness with the lyrics expressing the members’ strong feelings towards someone they love, singing, “You’ve got me so in love, I’ve never been this possessive” in the chorus. “Te Quiero” is an instant hit that makes you want to dive deeper into KISS OF LIFE’s discography.
”Don't Worry” - WAKER
Rookie K-Pop group WAKER came back strong this year, with their second mini-album SWEET TAPE. Of the nine tracks in the mini-album, the fifth track “Don't Worry,” immediately captured my attention, swiftly becoming one of my favorite WAKER tracks. Across a funky Middle Eastern inspired pop beat, WAKER deliver dynamic vocals as they sing about self-belief and self-encouragement. With this song, WAKER sound as if they have been in the industry for a lot longer than they have, demonstrating an impressive musicality that rivals boy groups with more years on them, that I can't wait to hear more of.
Edited by Cara Musashi