The Best New Music: November 2022

A ranking and review of the best new K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop releases of the past month!

#20: Ryu Su Jeong, “Pink Moon”

After a delicate string intro, this single enters the realm of dance-pop, and the disco-tinged sound of “PINK MOON” matches Ryu Su Jeong’s airy voice well. The retro synths combine with plucky guitars and drum layers to make this song more unique than just another synth jam, and it further stands out thanks to her angelic voice. As for its music video, a flower field, magical powers, surprising animated twists, lots of pink, and beautiful night skies make it visually engaging from start to finish. With its familiar-but-different sound and its pretty video, “PINK MOON” leaves a great first impression for Ryu Su Jeong as a solo star.

#19: YooA, SELFISH

Since it has been many months since YooA’s last solo release, it was in order to go all out for this one, and she does not disappoint! Multiple tracks have their own music videos, and these videos show YooA continuing to carve out a solo image while staying loyal to her OH MY GIRL roots. The videos for “Melody” and “Lay Low” feature YooA showing off her natural beauty and walking through picturesque locations. The “Selfish” video, on the other hand, features YooA in bright and sparkly makeup, as she spends time in a CGI-filled, colorful realm reminiscent of OH MY GIRL’s music videos. “Melody” and “Lay Low” let YooA prove her presence shines plenty on its own, while “Selfish” proves YooA still knows how to master a catchy hook and a more fantastical video premise. Her versatility gives OH MY GIRL fans what they love in the form of a visual dreamscape and dance-along-ready moves, and non-OH MY GIRL fans get something to rave about too, in the form of beautiful scenery soundtracked by her lovely voice.

#18: woo!ah!, Pit-a-Pat

Everything about “Rollercoaster” has a buoyancy to it: the way it lifts listeners’ spirits, the high pitch in which it is sung, and the charming nature of its music video. As the members beam and dance in a theme park setting, animated images continually pop up around them and add extra dashes of whimsy to the video. Both for its light and fun feel and for its cute music video, “Rollercoaster” is a single that fits woo!ah! perfectly. On the other hand, they remind listeners there is pure talent behind their visuals, thanks to the mellower B-side on Pit-a-Pat, “LOVE THING.”

#17: Ayumi Hamasaki, “MASK”

What makes “MASK” so much more than just another great pop song is its visually arresting music video. From interpretive dancing in embellished costumes to a kaleidoscope of changing hues, there is so much to look at that catching all the stunning details requires multiple viewings. The continually-changing lights and colors give the scene movement, so the fact Ayumi Hamasaki literally adds movement herself is just a nice touch! The overall visual effect of the lights, colors, and dance moves is one of a mobile art show, a vivid art installation that evolves with the viewer. Art is meant to be taken in and remembered, meaning that “MASK” excels as a work of art in multiple ways.

#16: Lexie Liu, “MAGICIAN”

Each detail in this song adds to its loop-worthy status. An exhilarating electronic intro leads into a fierce dance beat. Lexie Liu’s vocals and the instrumental, weaving together percussion and electronic layers, are equally intoxicating. She is deft at keeping listeners in suspense, building up drama in unexpected ways and changing her volume on a dime, and the instrumental is similarly varied, at times repetitive and at times definitely not. She keeps all attention on her in the “MAGICIAN” music video too, playing the role of a gothic mortal in some scenes and a dark angel in others. “MAGICIAN” is the fierce and obsession-worthy single pop enthusiasts need in their lives!

#15: TO1, UP2U

The single “Freeze Tag” plays up the strong suits TO1 proved to have with a previous single, “Drummin’”: a youthful charm, seemingly boundless energy, cute lyrics, and a catchy hook. TO1 leave an extra impact by keeping UP2U’s B-sides away from sounding too generic. For example, “Rude Boi” has interesting movement of its synths from the background to the foreground and back again, and “Retro Love” stacks up individual voices one by one instead of keeping them in unison. The spirited “Freeze Tag” music video and memorable B-sides make this comeback one worthy of much celebration!

#14: KANTO, CELEBRATION

CELEBRATION is aptly titled, because the listening experience is akin to unwrapping a present with many layers, each one unveiling wrapping paper with a different color and print. The CELEBRATION kicks off with helium voices paired with a super-deep one on “TRIP.” Then there are “AFFORMATIONS” and other high-energy tracks that tell detail-rich stories (the laughter in “SUN IS DOWN” is a particularly nice touch). Old-school hip-hop vibes thrive on songs like “BLUFFING and “VETERAN,” but quieter, jazzier touches make songs like “RAP DESIGNER” shine. The choir-backed “CELEBRATION INTERLUDE” lets listeners know that the party is still just getting started, but perhaps it goes on too long, because the album ends with the dark-bass-fueled, angst-ridden “BLOOD”! CELEBRATION is an auditory journey through the best and worst moments of a party, letting listeners be flies on the wall as partygoers recap interesting stories, mellow out after time on the dance floor, and then suddenly become unleashed in a horror-movie-style way! 

#13: LiSA, LANDER

LiSA continues to deliver rapidly-paced anime rock, but this time with a new degree of lyrical depth. She reflects on her past decade both professionally and personally, reflecting on pain and confusion on slower songs and the good times on the faster ones (which make up the bulk of the album, on par with her image as an eternal optimist!). LANDER is not just a conversation with herself, though. She takes the advice she’s received over the years and makes it applicable to others’ experiences. The songs that most clearly assist in this effort are the ones made for other media: “Yu-Ke” is a movie theme song that reassures the main character better days are ahead as long as she perseveres, and “Shirogane” reminds the main characters to never lose hope. Songs like “dawn” instill hope in listeners by reminding them what feels like the end of the world really is not; the sun will rise again tomorrow. Songs like “Shampoo Song” and “NEW ME” further encourage embracing a fresh start. Some songs focus on her childhood and restoring a semblance of her inner child, like “Romanhiko” and “Saturdays with you.” She also focuses on the opposite, the end of life, on “homura.” A concerned and regretful tone permeates “dis/connect” as well. To lighten things up and try out a new persona, LiSA describes herself as a cunning witch with an intergalactic twist on “Akujono Okite”! Because LANDER compiles OSTs, pre-releases, and brand new material, it is not so much a diary as it is a scrapbook. It carries many personal moods and memories, but it also shines light on the stories and feelings of those LiSA has met on her journey. Whether people LiSA has met in real life or animated characters who have resonated with her, LiSA pays tribute to where she is coming from and who has helped her go from there. Overall, LANDER paints a satisfying full picture of the past, present, and future LiSA. 

#12: Amazing Show, Lovers, Folks, Tales

With just a three-song tracklist, Amazing Show have to make the most of every second to show what they are made of, and they master that challenge. Their range of sonic influences becomes clear right away on “Lovers,” which is neither a typical city-pop song nor the sound of a generic mandopop release. It is a mix of soulful and peppier moods. “Folks” takes on a deeper tone and features indescribable-in-a-good-way guitar and electronic alterations. They save the best for last with “Tales,” a fast-paced mix of rapping and singing with a surprising filter thrown over their voices. Lovers, Folks, Tales is a variety pack that remains entertaining from start to finish, proving this group can indeed put on an “Amazing Show” even with just a few songs!

#11: P1Harmony, HARMONY : SET IN

P1Harmony solidify their trademark mix of wholesomeness and attitude through HARMONY : SET IN. The album is centered around the theme of finding a sense of harmony through friendship, but the group proves this focus does not need to be mutually exclusive from a confident, headfirst approach to life. While singing about being better together, they also sing about a refusal to “Back Down,” a refusal to let fear win or let any force divide them. P1Harmony’s meaningful songs speak to the paradox of how becoming one’s own person can lead to a stronger collective. The group’s signature hip-hop-rooted sound fits well with this message, as does the “Back Down” music video, which takes place in their superhero music video world.

#10: B.I, Love or Loved, Pt. 1

With this release, B.I proves he excels at dancehall songs that let him show off both his rapping and singing skills, not to mention his choreography that poses as freestyling. “BTBT” proves to have been no one-off; “Keep me up” continues the vibe of “BTBT” and shows he can create a  sultry and cinematic atmosphere at whim. The music video makes the sequel status of “Keep me up” apparent: B.I listens to “BTBT” within the “Keep me up” video! He also dances in front of the same futuristic props as he does in “BTBT,” implying the songs exist in the same music video universe, despite a scene where he watches himself on screen! B.I proves that less is more, needing not much more than a shiny jacket, loose choreography, and some meta moments to make a single pop. “Keep me up” has enough similarities to make its sequel status to “BTBT” understandable, but it also has enough of a distinction sonically to warrant its separate promotional run.

#9: NINE.i, [I (Pt. 1)]

NINE.i truly outdo all their previous releases with [I (Pt. 1)]. It far exceeds expectations and shows the group has zeroed in on what to say and how they want to say it. Nostalgia and hope imbue these songs, making the album a perfect soundtrack for a chill weekend hangout. The members flex their vocal skills, particularly through the high notes on “Paradise” and the pop-punk “Loner.” Another standout is “Love,” although no track deserves to be skipped. The “Young Boy” music video is also a mood boost. Home-movie-style footage is played between dance scenes underneath a beautiful, pink sky. Other scenes show them running and goofing off together in a field on a sunny day, a sweet encapsulation of the album’s childlike spirit.

#8: Red Velvet, ‘The ReVe Festival 2022 - Birthday’

Like on “Feel My Rhythm,” Red Velvet thrive with a very distinct aesthetic. On “Birthday,” they once again pair a classical music sample (George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”) with trap beats and other more modern elements. The B-sides contain unique mixtures of strings and synths, of boldness and sweetness, of sharp edges and warm embraces. Each new Red Velvet track is both sweet and sassy, making their dual roles in the “Birthday” music video fitting. Their welcoming and celebratory mood betrays their plotting, sinister inner villains. Similar to the tone of the “Peek-A-Boo” video, in which their game of tag leads to unexpectedly dark implications, Red Velvet engage in dark magic with tokens of childhood. From a stuffed-animal-themed seance to battling gingerbread men and leaving one in tears, Red Velvet thrive playing haunting and endearing roles at the same time!

#7: HIM FAMILY, In the Name of the Moon

This compilation provides a worthy platform to a variety of talented artists. Beyond-impressive voices are combined with rich instrumental layers to create dramatic and detailed works of art. The songs start out unassuming, the go-to being a simple piano instrumental, but they build up to something much fuller and incorporate many more instruments than expected as they unfold. They take their time to reach their climaxes, making each song an unrushed, distinct story. Standouts include the rock ballad “The Rest of My Life” by GengSihan and “Winter Flashback” by Power Station, which showcases voices in very different registers in surprisingly pleasant ways.

#6: PoLin, “Obsession”

This stirring power ballad is simultaneously heavy and light. It is an emotionally dense story, but it is imbued with a sense of hope. As PoLin sings about forbidden love, he also sings about the need to still believe in and hope for love’s enduring power. In the music video, peculiar, somewhat Avatar-like interpretive dancers form human chains that connect and comfort lovers who stand apart. Their movements sometimes resemble ocean waves, which can be interpreted as a symbol of dangerous waves crashing towards each other, calm waters approaching, or something between the two. The ambiguous dance ensures this song has twice the power, touching listeners through both their ears and eyes. “Obsession” is an excellent song with a message delivered in a way viewers will not soon forget.

#5: Reol, COLORED DISC

Reol’s vision remains one-of-a-kind with this release and its bizarre music video! In “secret trip,” a younger version of Reol has a playdate in a big mansion with giant mascots. Further making the video intriguing and up to interpretation is its ending: Present-Day Reol appears to leave the mansion, but then Present-Day Reol is seen watching herself leave from the front door. Is Reol leaving a version of herself behind to babysit her inner child? Are the Reols one and the same, and the presumed copies are actually clones?! There is lots to read into with so little time, because the second one starts paying attention to a different track on COLORED DISC, it is full speed ahead! The warp-speed “SCORPION” and “Parade of flocking emotion” are predictable electro-pop delights. “Parade of flocking emotion” ends the EP with a confounding but enjoyable parade of sounds that brings to mind an alien invasion! COLORED DISC proves that Reol’s still got it, “it” being both the rapid pop sound at which she excels and innumerable tricks still up her sleeves!

#4: SEVENTEEN, DREAM

Although this Japanese release only includes one new song, “DREAM” (the others are a holiday remix of “Darl+ing” and Japanese versions of “Rock with you” and “All My Love”), this song is meaningful enough in the context of SEVENTEEN’s year-long project that it deserves a moment of appreciation. “DREAM” and its music video have much more meaning than what meets the eyes and ears, and it is the perfect song for capping off 2022’s “Be the Sun” era. SEVENTEEN said the key words for this era to keep in mind all year were as follows: “Control,” “Shadow,” “Ray,” “Path,”  and “Pioneer.”  “Control” and “Shadow” are the overall themes of the “13 Inner Shadows” series of videos, “Ray” sums up Face the Sun, and the “Path” theme defines SECTOR 17 (which features the song “_WORLD”). Checking off the final box is “DREAM” and the word “Pioneer.” As the members sing about venturing into their imagination and hoping for sleep to come as soon as possible to re-enter their dream world, they visually represent doing so; their dreams become their new reality. In other words, they fill in the blank in “_WORLD” with “DREAM;” they make their dream world.

The music video for “DREAM” is packed with hidden meaning, but even casual fans of SEVENTEEN will find much to enjoy about it. First of all, the wardrobe is top-tier, with cozy sweaters in some scenes and sharp formalwear in others. Second of all, the architecture of the mansion and its unique furniture are a sight to behold. Third, the celestial imagery is stunning and stays interesting thanks to a pivot from “day mode” to “night mode.” Lastly, SEVENTEEN once again make their video interactive, bringing audiences into the action. Fans are invited to join their adventures right away, as the camera movement makes it look like viewers are flying through the air to swoop into the mansion. Moments when size proportionality is way off (like when Vernon crouches by a tiny door and when they take turns sitting on an enormous chair in pairs), when the world seems to crumble around them but is then rebuilt (like in Mingyu’s main scene), and when clones appear (for Wonwoo and S.Coups) compound the engaging viewing experience. Viewers feel swept up in the action as SEVENTEEN build the new world they sing about in real time. “DREAM” combines a Wonderland-esque charm with classically SEVENTEEN sentiments to conclude their 2022 musical chapter on a satisfying high note.

#3: DRIPPIN, Villain : The End

Since this is DRIPPIN’s first full-length album, it is fitting that it is their most intriguing release yet. The music video for the super-catchy “The One” sets up some interesting and related plots, featuring clashes between different-colored flames and allusions to time travel. “The One” properly gins up anticipation for future story installments. In addition to their world-building, DRIPPIN give their songs’ uniqueness a new boost. Fun details are sprinkled throughout the songs, like the whistles in “ESCAPE,” the rock flavor to  “MONSTER,” and the sound effects in “Silence.” They take on multiple roles vocally, immersing themselves in confrontational personae in some songs (particularly “Champion”) and returning to a boy-next-door attitude on others (like “When I’m With You”). DRIPPIN leave the audience to speculate about which direction they will go next, and because of how well-done Villain : The End is, that wait is exciting and worthwhile.

#2: BoA, Forgive Me

In her thrilling and long-awaited return, BoA channels her inner pop-punk princess and gives fans what they have been waiting for and then some! The title track is an addictive blend of dark synths, top-tier vocals, and suspense-building raps. The multifaceted nature of the track is matched by the B-sides, especially the sassy, funky-bassline-fueled “ZIP” and the unique mix of moody and higher-tempo elements on “Sketch.” BoA mellows out by the end, going down the R&B route for “After Midnight” and ending with the guitar-focused “Hope,” but these songs are anything but let-downs. BoA proves with Forgive Me that her releases cannot be cleanly categorized, which is why she deserves her career longevity. 

#1: Xdinary Heroes, Overload

With Overload, Xdinary Heroes bring their rising star potential into full focus. Overload does a fantastic job experimenting with and combining pop and rock elements in new and catchy ways. They solidify a singular style that involves spooky flair, a mix of background noises, and surprising structural changes that make each song stand out for a different reason. They further hone their distinct aesthetic with the animation-meets-stop-motion feel of their album’s highlight medley and the “Hair Cut” music video looks, which make it obvious they are marching to the beat of their own drum. Xdinary Heroes are eccentric rock stars with a delightful, good-spirited spookiness in their works’ visual components! Overload sharpens this group identity flawlessly, and it saves the best for last with the party-ready and expectation-subverting “X-MAS.”

View a playlist of all the above music videos here!

For more of my thoughts on these releases, and to find out which releases received honorable mentions, check out the corresponding episode of 17 Carat K-Pop, out here and wherever else you get your podcasts!