On the finish of every month, I look again at my three favourite title tracks by Ok-pop artists. I take my very own rankings under consideration, however there’s a little bit of wiggle room as sure songs are likely to develop or fade.
July 2022 Total Ideas
Counting up all of July’s releases, I’m unsure we’ve ever had a month this packed. What a far cry from final yr, the place July was all however barren! But once more, the month lacked any clear “SOTY” candidates, nevertheless it was extra persistently stable than most of 2022 has been. Plenty of nice b-sides, a number of nice singles and — like I mentioned — a ton of latest stuff to take heed to.
Transferring into August, I nonetheless haven’t heard a transparent “music of summer season” for 2022 — at the very least in terms of Ok-pop. These tracks often emerge in June, generally in July, and barely in August. We’ll should see how issues form up over the following few weeks. Many idol acts launched summer-themed materials this month, however we undoubtedly haven’t had a Chi Mat Ba Ram, Depend 1, 2 or Wave (to call a number of current “music of summer season” tracks).
As a substitute, we received a handful of sturdy albums. 2022’s most irritating musical traits continued, however July supplied a decently various scope of idol music. You needed to dig a bit to search out a lot of the greatest materials, which makes me need to hop on an airplane and be part of no matter Ok-pop A&R group would take me. Please, companies… give us extra selection in your title tracks!
My high two songs of the month had been fairly straightforward to decide on, however as soon as once more I struggled with the third place. Various tracks had been neck-and-neck for this spot: KB’s Be Free, NewJeans’ Consideration, Tremendous Junior’s Mango. ATEEZ could even sneak in there relying on how Guerrilla ages. Third place nonetheless appears like a contested spot, however I made a decision to go along with the music that felt just a little extra intimate and idiosyncratic (and doubtless wants the promo).
J-pop additionally had a fruitful month. Lots of my favourite acts made their return, however the high spot went to a observe with a June digital launch and an upcoming August bodily launch. I’ll break up the distinction and drop it into July (principally as a result of I didn’t assessment it till this month!). Wherever you set it, it’s a wonderful music.
Looking forward to August, I predict my month goes to be dominated by two favourite “g” teams: Golden Little one and Ladies’ Technology. We even have an epic woman group battle on our fingers with the promised return of BLACKPINK, Twice and IVE alongside the debut of NewJeans. No matter occurs, I hope the upcoming weeks ship “high ten of the yr”-worthy materials. My private countdown wants it, and the business may do with the kick of vitality a killer comeback can ship.
Month Cumulative Score: 7.9
(compiled by averaging the scores of each Ok-pop assessment from this month)
J-Pop Highlights
Ayumi Hamasaki – Summer time Once more (video)
KinKi Youngsters – Wonderful Love (video)
Kis-My-Ft2 – Two As One (assessment)
Naniwa Danshi – Diamond Smile (assessment)
Omega X – Stand Up! (assessment)
Fragrance – Spinning World (video)
Snow Man – Orange Kiss (assessment)
Twice – Rejoice (assessment)
TOP J-POP SONG OF THE MONTH
Ado – New Genesis (assessment)
Honorable Mentions
aespa – Ladies (assessment)
ATEEZ – Guerrilla (assessment)
Billlie – Patbingsu (assessment)
Chungha – Glowing (assessment)
ENHYPEN – Future Excellent (Cross the MIC) / ParadoXXX Invasion (assessment / assessment)
H1-KEY – Run (assessment)
ITZY – Sneakers (assessment)
Loco & Hwasa – Someone! (assessment)
MCND – #Temper (assessment)
NewJeans – Consideration / Hype Boy (assessment / assessment)
Nicole – YOU.F.O (assessment)
P1Harmony – Doom Du Doom (assessment)
SF9 – Scream (assessment)
Tremendous Junior – Mango (assessment)
TO1 – Drummin’ (assessment)
UiU – Starlit (assessment)
VIVIZ – Loveade (assessment)
Winner – I Love U (video)
TOP THREE SONGS
3. KB (OnlyOneOf) – Be Free (assessment)
2. WJSN – Final Sequence (assessment)
1. CSR – Pop? Pop! (assessment)
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of June 2022
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of Could 2022
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of April 2022
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of March 2022
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of February 2022
Prime Three Ok-Pop Songs Of January 2022
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