The Best New Music: August 2023
A ranking and review of the best releases from Korean and Japanese artists that came out last month!
#20: Roa from Rocking doll, “Truth or Dare”
“Truth or Dare” is nonstop fun, making time for both singing and rapping and unexpected toss-ins of additional sound effects. The bouncy beat works surprisingly well with the bass, violin, and synth layers, and Roa takes it to the next level with an attention-grabbing, sparkly outfit and the dance moves and hair flips to boot. This underrated song stays danceable but has constant shifts into different gears. It is a movement-filled song that is fittingly great for the dance floor, and fans of Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” ought to check it out!
#19: ChiVee, “Mirage”
Each detail in this song is a well-placed, essential piece of the full puzzle. The song is equal parts catchy and unpredictable, easy to vibe with but versatile enough to let one’s ears focus on a new component with each listen. Some songs impress for a powerhouse delivery, and others impress for the opposite, a controlled quietness. ChiVee impresses with both and then some, and she further keeps the volume out of stasis by pausing instruments to throw in quick comments. The post-chorus “hoo-hoo”s, a plucky guitar, and a mix of hushed and loud moments help ChiVee leave her musical mark.
#18: Route 1, Beyond Imagination
This electronica album is the group’s best work yet. They play with synths in unexpected ways but never while overpowering spotlight-worthy vocals. The album tries new things, but not too many of them! New ideas are tested, but the songs still follow a blueprint that could make radio-hit remixes a breeze. In addition to malleability and the ways Beyond Imagination expands Route 1’s soundscape, this release impresses for its flow: “Terminal” makes for a strong introduction, and the story unfolds in a natural order until concluding with the emotionally satisfying “Flowering.”
#17: Nogizaka46, ohitorisamatengoku (Special Edition)
ohitorisamatengoku (Special Edition) is incredibly versatile. Its strong opening track (“ohitorisamatengoku”) is very happy and full, and they throw a slight rock tinge into “fundeshimatta.” They pause the rapid party soundtrack with a dramatic, slow song (“darekanokata”), but they return to the fun with the lively, piano-filled “magucuptoshink.” The first half of this release appears designed to show Nogizaka46’s range, while the second half shows off their ability to mix and match those styles. “kangaenaiyounisuru” is quick in tempo but ballad-like in its instrumental choices, “owakaretacos” mixes the joviality of other tracks with a nostalgic tilt, and “inochinoboutoku” is a sprint to the finish line. ohitorisamatengoku (Special Edition) is a little of a lot of things, and its brevity has the upside of making people more likely to give it more than one chance.
#16: BUGVEL, ID
It is apparent that BUGVEL have grown more comfortable than ever in their musical niche, in a sonic space where synth-pop, pop-punk, EDM, and acoustic-driven elements mix and mingle. Their newfound confidence extends to their vocals, with GUNO delivering a powerhouse piano ballad in “AISHITERU” and RAIRA and MAHIRO teaming up as a unit for “NIJI.” ID, fittingly, makes BUGVEL’s colorful identity clear, and it benefits from the tracklist order that keeps genre-blurring in the middle and starts and ends with summery crowd-pleasers.
#15: ASOBOiSM, YOLO
Both YOLO’s tracklist and album title are apt, and there is natural appeal in how straightforward these songs are! There is, of course, much to commend about releases with depth and ambiguity, but there are upsides to clearer narratives too. Songs like “Errorrrr,” “hug me,” and “Do nothing” keep ASOBOiSM’s emotions on her sleeves. At the same time, YOLO avoids sounding generic by instrumentally taking a “try anything” approach. The self-explanatory songs benefit from the unpredictability of the corresponding instrumentals. Transitions between tracks are absent, offering no hints as to what the next sound will entail. Even guessing her vocal delivery in the next song is difficult, as it ranges from rapid and talk-like to a slow whisper.
#14: BABYMETAL ft. Tom Morello, “METAL!!”
Carried by heavy percussion, “METAL!!” is a head-bang-worthy song from the get-go! It is the stuff great live performances are made of, especially because BABYMETAL repeatedly shout out phrases commonly heard at traditional Japanese festivals, like the Awa Odori Festival. The chants are region-specific, but the other lyrics are universal: “You’re a fool if you dance and a fool if you just look on, so let’s dance”! An oft-repeated message about not worrying about what other people think gets a personal makeover with these electrifying performers.
#13: BAND-MAID, “Shambles”
Through quickly-accelerating drumming, verses and choruses that bleed into each other, and a back-and-forth between singing and what sounds like talking into a megaphone, BAND-MAID maintain a commanding presence that effectively embodies the sense of urgency their message entails. They encourage listeners to not waste another second waiting for the ideal future to come and to make it happen themselves. The message is not so much “You can do it” as it is “Just do it already!” The song covers a lengthy list of to-dos: create one’s own “path to bliss,” stay the course even when the going gets tough, recognize how “absurd” one’s “shadows of fear” are, and thrive amidst the ashes one creates when burning down relics of a pre-ambition way of life. “Shambles” has a tough-love approach that can energize listeners and remind them they are capable of more than they think.
#12: aespa, “Better Things”
aespa have ensured that their late “Song of the Summer” contender stands out in the sea of nominations, thanks to a new-to-them bite and visually rich new music video. They bluntly sing about being “sure [their] energy is just too precious to waste” and having “better things to do with [their] time” than be around the song’s target! The chill, tropical vibe makes their farewell to a past lover feel especially irreversible. The music video reinforces that aespa have moved on and shows them having a blast on surreal, aquatic adventures. The group balances the playfulness of the video premise with the maturity of their relationship-induced lessons.
#11: U-KNOW, Reality Show
U-KNOW aces the thematic assignment of this comeback. Reality Show has the feel of a movie soundtrack, and it indeed is one for a corresponding short film, “NEXUS.” The songs are the perfect score for his Sci-Fi, dystopian, action-packed escapades. While obvious inspiration for “NEXUS” comes from The Matrix and other movies along the same lines, “NEXUS” differentiates itself with modern updates. The protagonist’s mission to better understand and prepare for “The Singularity” feels particularly prescient in 2023, and U-KNOW’s character’s habit of consulting with AI for help is worth remembering.
#10: HeyMen, Shelter
This is much more than just a rock album; it embraces the element of surprise through unique singing voices, the incorporation of synth-pop finishing touches, and tonal switch-ups. Each song could make for a strong A-side, although “Mirror(Tic Toc)” is an ominous mood-setter that serves this album’s promotions well. Shelter is best during its purposefully eerie and odd moments, although they do have an easy-listening crowd-pleaser in “Dive” (with Shin Youme). HeyMen are setting and rocking out to their own standards, and Shelter is a strong preview of many original releases to come.
#9: EVERGLOW, ALL MY GIRLS
It is a relief to not only see EVERGLOW finally return, but to see them return as if no time has passed! Rather than re-introduce themselves with a total makeover, they have resumed the sound and style at which they have always excelled. As expected, their “SLAY” music video has impressive, synchronized choreography, a larger-than-life set, and a killer wardrobe. The song is classic EVERGLOW, an electronic/hip-hop/pop mix with an earworm for a chorus. The B-sides are also worth trying and show a warmer but still welcome side to the members. “Oh Ma Ma God” is a mid-tempo, pop/R&B number, “Make Me Feel” is a gentle, acoustic-guitar-centered song, and both B-sides admit to the members’ vulnerabilities in relationships. ALL MY GIRLS is the rousing confidence-boosting comeback long-time EVERGLOW fans deserve, but it also takes time to honor the feelings beneath the group’s bold front-facing image.
#8: MAMAMOO+, TWO RABBITS
MAMAMOO members Moon Byul and Solar have such a natural and endearing chemistry that the sense of their music video endeavors being staged appears not as corny fakery, but intentional theatricality. They are on the same page and both in on the joke, knowing they look silly as they don rabbit ears and sport serious expressions. Many “dangdang” music video moments bring to mind a sitcom theme song because of the ways they engage with the camera and make a big show of their surroundings. An adorable montage features playing in a ball pit, dancing in a flower field, having a tea party, and more fun playdates. This duo’s unique synergy and childlike demeanors leave no doubt as to their likability.
#7: JIHYO, ZONE
As written about in a TWICE concert review, JIHYO’s solo superstar potential became obvious well before this debut solo release. Her live rendition of “Nightmare” is a powerful marvel, and it proves to be just as top-tier as the studio version. While “Nightmare” is a step above the rest, JIHYO easily pulls off the other songs too, regardless of the genre and topic. She sings everything from dance-pop to R&B to Latin-inspired songs, and whether feeling solemn or sultry, vengeful or victorious, she always knows just how to channel the right mood for the moment. The impact of listening to these songs is therefore able to linger, just like the haunting “Nightmare” presence she sings about having in her ex-lover’s life!
#6: tripleS, LOVElution <ↀ>
Check out a thorough breakdown of their new music video’s multiple meanings below, and then check out the B-sides on LOVElution <ↀ> for more of their original storytelling!
#5: JO YURI, LOVE ALL
This comeback is all about duality. The main single from LOVE ALL, “TAXI,” lets JO YURI show off her bright and bubbly side. She dances through the city and sings cheerfully about first love. On the B-sides, JO YURI becomes solemn and contemplative. She sings about her relationship turning sour in “Lemon Black Tea,” “Bitter Taste,” and “Hang On.” “Bruise” is the right call for a strong conclusion, a breakup ballad that packs a massive emotional punch. JO YURI gives audiences a view of her happiest and gloomiest sides, proving her readiness to deliver high-quality songs and performances in the future that can avoid tedium.
#4: DPR IAN, “Peanut Butter & Tears”
DPR IAN’s creative vision continues to be beyond one-of-a-kind. His aesthetic is an amalgamation of retro, creepy, campy, glam, supernatural, punk, sensitive, and melancholy vibes all rolled into one! The song and its music video defy clear-cut explanations, but any angle one takes toward analyzing it is sure to be a worthwhile one. Just one of the many details that can be read into: DPR IAN is blinded by the sun in the present day, which parallels the blinding light experienced by him in a flashback, as a little kid at the dentist. This thread connecting his past and present aligns with the ways his present-day self sings about his “tooth wiggling for” a crush; in his memory, he now associates certain current sensations with the feelings and corresponding scenarios of yesterday, like the first time he felt a crush.
The all-consuming nature of watching the “Peanut Butter & Tears” video and trying to guess what happens next is par for the course for DPR IAN, making this video appear carefully crafted to match his style. Yet at the same time, its refusal to fit neatly into clear aesthetic or auditory categories gives it a sense of spontaneity, as if what unfolds is entirely unscripted. The surreal feels real in DPR IAN’s world, ensuring many more topsy-turvy, cinematic scenes are in store in his upcoming musical era!
#3: SEVENTEEN, ALWAYS YOURS
As discussed at length in an episode of 17 Carat K-Pop, ALWAYS YOURS is a touching tribute to all of SEVENTEEN’s musical chapters so far and a reminder that the best is still always yet to come. In terms of the sheer quantity of nods to previous music videos in “Ima -Even if the world ends tomorrow-,” they outdo themselves, and they continue to effortlessly weave together sources of inspiration and original narrative throughlines. Even if one is unfamiliar with the myriad of Easter eggs, “Ima -Even if the world ends tomorrow-” is a video worth watching, since it sends a thought-provoking message about what “coming home” really means. This Japanese compilation album includes songs from throughout SEVENTEEN’s career, a fitting celebration of their prolific discography, and its new songs reiterate the group’s commitment to a story about, in sum, balancing teamwork with individuality to create one’s ideal future.
#2: milet, 5am
milet continues to wield her voice as a powerful weapon, piercing through any emotional armor listeners have when beginning the listening session and holding their rapt attention with a raw, deeply-felt delivery. This is not just a repeat of milet’s last full album, though: She unleashes her inner rockstar much more now! milet sings about her highest highs, lowest lows, and everything in between, and she does so as powerfully in ballad form as she does in pop-punk form. In addition to an effortless range and exceptional voice, 5am charms with its winks and nods both among its songs and to milet’s previous releases. For example, in “checkmate,” milet teased the person crushing on her: “It’s 4 a.m, you must be obsessed with me.” Now, she sings about the painful memories that strike her at 5 a.m. Similarly, she sings “Like your dream will never end” in “Noёl in July” and then pivots to a song where those dreams clearly do, “b r o k e n”! Interestingly, the final track is not “Final Call,” but “December.” Also noteworthy is the tracklist’s combination of new and older tracks, with some of the old ones undergoing a massive makeover and others staying true to the originals’ essences. One main message 5am sends is about the fleeting nature of love and time. In one moment, milet celebrates a new beginning, but there is always the risk it will come to a swift end. milet tells a story that brings together the past and present in ways that remind the audience of life’s state of eternal flux.
#1: NCT 2023, Golden Age
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, one can always count on an NCT album to follow the “NCT Formula,” a sonic smorgasbord that makes magic out of mayhem! Variety and an all-star team are once again a winning formula for NCT’s corresponding music videos too, which ensures the vibe of each song is felt fully and accurately by the listeners. A youthful song with a pastel-hued video (“Kangaroo”), an attitude-heavy song with an all-black wardrobe (“The BAT”), a victory song with the athletic looks to match (“Alley Oop”), and even a sprawling visual narrative that goes with a Beethoven-incorporating song (“Golden Age”) are just some of the ways Golden Age finds strength in its inconsistencies. This era is a celebration of NCT’s knack for turning improbably chock-full material into quirky and charismatic confections.
To hear more about these picks and find out who got honorable mentions, listen to the corresponding episode of 17 Carat K-Pop!
Stream the episode on Spotify here!
Stream the episode on Apple Podcasts here!
Stream the episode on Anchor or another streaming service here!