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Releases from between 1st December 2023 to 30th November 2024 are eligible.
SONAL
Albums:
1. Sequence - SF9 SF9 is such a diverse group, and with the members having different vocal tones, they can suit every genre of song. It meant that Sequence perfectly balanced different styles of music from uptempo songs like "Midnight Sun" and "Morning Coffee," but balancing it with the darker title track "BIBORA."
2. 17 IS RIGHT HERE - SEVENTEEN Although the album only contained four new songs, SEVENTEEN's first album of 2024 showcased the group's legacy in K-Pop and reminded fans just how many amazing songs they've released since debuting.
3. Fantasy - SF9 SF9 proved their diversity with a pure and perfect album for the summer, combining uptempo songs that are so easy to listen to and show off how talented the entire group is.
4. ROMANCE : UNTOLD - ENHYPEN While it's not uncommon for boy groups to have concept-heavy albums, ENHYPEN released an easy to listen to track list that even a casual listener would enjoy.
5. Switch - IVE IVE's album showcased another side to the group with an amazing range of tracks and even a song written by Wonyoung to show they're more than just pretty idols.
Songs:
1. "BIBORA" - SF9 SF9 kicked off 2024 with a bang by releasing their song "BIBORA." While known for their sexiness, the members showed off a darker side with a beautifully conceptual song that showcased each member perfectly. Teaming the perfect melody and lyrics with a captivating music video showed that SF9 can still surprise fans with something new, even eight years after debuting.
2. "Maestro" - SEVENTEEN As the title says, SEVENTEEN's "Maestro" was a work of art as the song combined many layers and aspects to create a complicated but cohesive track.
3. "Ascendio" - IVE While the members of IVE are known as the princesses of K-Pop, they took a unique approach to "Ascendio," which was dark, mysterious, and different from their other releases.
4. "Candy" – SEVENTEEN (Vocal Unit) When it comes to creating a song with great vocals, SEVENTEEN's vocal unit does it perfectly, and "Candy" feels like a warm hug on a cold night.
5. "Klaxon" – (G)I-DLE (G)I-DLE released the perfect summer song with "Klaxon," and while it might not have been everyone's cup of tea, it is a song that gets stuck in your head in the best way.
AIMÉE
Albums:
1. Fe304: Break - NMIXX 2024 feels like the six-member group's true breakout year. Whilst they have had notable tracks pre-2023, with their second and third EPs Fe304: Break and Fe304: Stick Out, NMIXX have proven themselves to be artists able to put together multiple albums that fully capture your attention from start to finish. Although both are fantastic listens, the euphoric highs in Fe304: Break make the second EP just edge out the third.
2. Whiplash - aespa Another group that has put out two undeniably brilliant records this year: Whiplash's deft back-and-forth between R&B and fun pop just about pip it (for me) over it's equally dazzling 2024 sister Armageddon.
3. Right Place, Wrong Time - RM (BTS) What a record, what a vision. In Right Place, Wrong Time, BTS' leader presents a piece of art intended to be loved and fully appreciated from beginning to end.
4. ROMANCE : UNTOLD - ENHYPEN Quite simply, the most complete (and arguably, the best) record ENHYPEN have put out thus far. I'll leave it there.
5. Appendix: Of All We Have Lost - Billlie After well over a year away, the girls finally return with a flawless album that reminds listeners of their depth of talent and otherwordly attitude through an eclectic mix of ethereal grooves.
Honorable mentions: COLOURS - Solar (MAMAMOO), Happy - Jin (BTS), SPILL THE FEELS - SEVENTEEN
Songs:
1. "Impossible" - RIIZE As my most played K-Pop song of this year (statistically), and as my pick for Q2's 2024 favourite song as well, it feels wrong to put any other track as my favourite from the year overall. All the members have been through a lot in 2024, but 'Impossible' is a reminder of the escapism and joy they embody that makes their music so fun and engaging to listen to. Here's hoping that 2024 brings them all more of the undeniable happiness that "Impossible" imparts to listeners.
2. "The Killa (I Belong To You)" - TOMORROW X TOGETHER Though it is perhaps not the standout track from minisode 3: TOMORROW, the song's sultry beats and gentle vocals have made it an understated favourite from this year.
3. "APT" - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars My goodness, very few K-Pop songs have captured the attention of popular culture, pop music fans, and everyone and their mother the way "APT" has.
4. "Magnetic" - ILLIT Via one of 2024's most inescapable and addictive earworms, the quintet burst onto the scene and took the charts by storm.
5. "Bluerose" - Billlie Hands down one of the group's best songs of all time, showcasing their vocal and rap talents atop an utterly lush instrumental.
Honorable mentions: "Let's Go See The Stars" - BOYNEXTDOOR, "Spell" - SEVENTEEN, "1-800-hot-n-fun" - LE SSERAFIM
MADDIE
Albums:
1. THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL - ATEEZ The fever that surrounded this pivotal album in ATEEZ’s careers bled into the entirety of Q1, leading to their appearances at Coachella and Mawazine this year. Successes aside, the record is a delightful buffet of genres, formatted neatly into two halves that narrate events across two dimensions: a paradigm of creativity.
2. Like A Flower - IRENE Irene climbed her way up the ranks of our hearts and our playlists with a solo debut so perfect she’d find it hard to top herself. "Summer Rain" and "Strawberry Silhouette" are favourites that feel fresh while preserving Irene’s angelic vibes.
3. J - JAEHYUN Jaehyun takes us on a journey of all the stages of love with a voice you’ll wish you could listen to forever, packing R&B wonders and some successful risks for the singer.
4. WALK - NCT 127 A quintessential NCT 127 album that could match last year’s Fact Check in the ring, WALK is full of gems like its titular song, the rhythmic "No Clue" and the groovy "Pricey".
5. GOLDEN HOUR : Part.1 - ATEEZ Part 1 just about beat its younger sibling by possessing all but an employment anthem, latin pop, bassy EDM, and a lullabyish breakup song to let you down slowly.
Honorable mentions: CRAZY - LE SSERAFIM, ATE - Stray Kids, SAD SONG - P1HARMONY
Songs:
1. "Silver Light" - ATEEZ The synthalicious answer to its beloved predecessor T"ake Me Home" has listeners on the edge of their seats; its melody of utter celestial euphoria will make you feel like you, too, are ‘getting close to paradise’. The band debuted its performance in glittery suits at their 2024 world tour, continuing a storyline told in expressive dances, and reaffirmed their seats as performance kings.
2. "Cosmic" - Red Velvet Red Velvet are always at their best when they’re a little psychotic, and a cultish Midsommar-inspired music video is the cherry on top of this absolute pop banger.
3. "Impossible" - RIIZE The most hummable tune of 2024 made it onto a certain barista’s cafe playlist for all the regulars to enjoy.
4. "APT" - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars The collab worth the hype: "APT" is the earwormiest bop of 2024 with a magic duo and a second half that’s surprisingly majestic.
5. "WOKE UP" - XG Raps refined to perfection and Hinata’s simple yet irresistible chorus makes this a tune you’ll have on repeat. Bonus points for Cocona’s famous buzzcut debut.
Honorable mentions: "ABCD" - NAYEON, "I GOT YOU" - TWICE, "Walk" - NCT 127
ANDREA
Albums:
1. GOLDEN HOUR : Part.1 - ATEEZ ATEEZ’s GOLDEN HOUR : Part.1 highlights the group’s ongoing artistic evolution and versatility, seamlessly blending a variety of musical styles with powerful, thought-provoking lyrics. Its cohesive narrative and innovative production further establish ATEEZ as a force to be reckoned with in the K-Pop industry, showcasing their ability to experiment with sound while maintaining a strong sense of identity. The album solidifies their global influence, proving once again that they are key players in shaping the future of K-Pop.
2. ATE - Stray Kids Stray Kids’ ATE is a high-energy, genre-blending album that combines powerful performances with thought-provoking lyrics, solidifying the group’s signature style and emotional depth.
3. minisode 3: Tomorrow - TOMORROW X TOGETHER minisode 3: Tomorrow by TXT blends vibrant pop with reflective storytelling, delving into themes of emotional strength, dreams, and the pursuit of inner peace, highlighting the group’s ability to balance catchy melodies with complex lyrical depth.
4. 4444 - WOOSUNG Woosung’s 4444 blends sultry rock, electronic, and R&B influences, highlighting his distinctive voice and exploration of personal themes in a bold and experimental release.
5. Killin’ it - P1Harmony P1Harmony’s Killin’ it is a standout and dynamic album that combines hard-hitting beats, smooth vocals, and effortlessly fluid rap flows, all tied together with uplifting themes that highlight the group’s versatility and fearless artistry.
Honorable mentions: ROMANCE : UNTOLD - ENHYPEN, HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1 - j-hope, Spill The Feels - SEVENTEEN
Songs:
1. "Blind" - ATEEZ ATEEZ’s “Blind” is a haunting and explosive masterpiece that captures the group’s ability to balance emotional depth with electrifying energy. The track opens with moody, atmospheric tones that gradually build into a powerful blend of intricate rhythms and dynamic vocal layers, showcasing ATEEZ’s trademark intensity on full display. Each member delivers raw, emotive performances that, combined with the dramatic instrumentation and compelling storytelling, create a dark and mysterious vibe, making “Blind” a deeply immersive experience that lingers long after the final note making it unforgettable.
2. "Love Wins All" - IU Overflowing with heartfelt emotion and poetic grace, IU’s “Love Wins All” is an elegant anthem that celebrates the resilience of love, underscored by her tender, yet powerful vocal performance.
3. "Power" - G-Dragon G-Dragon’s “Power” is a bold anthem of self-empowerment, using defiant lyrics and vibrant visuals to critique the media scrutiny he faced, while reclaiming control over his narrative and artistic identity.
4. "GGUM" - YEONJUN (TXT) Deeply introspective and dreamlike, Yeonjun’s “GGUM” paints a vivid picture of his inner struggles and aspirations, blending ethereal instrumentation with a raw, personal narrative that feels both vulnerable and inspiring.
5. "Nightwalker" - TEN Ten’s “Nightwalker” is a mesmerizing track that blends dark, atmospheric beats with hypnotic guitar riffs and his signature falsetto, creating an alluring tension that mirrors the song’s theme of transformation and desire.
Honorable mentions: "Dangerous" - BOYNEXTDOOR, "!INSTEAD!" - Ordinary Heroes, "Shooting Star" - Kep1er
