The Best Songs of 2022 So Far
A ranking of the 100 best K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and T-pop songs released during the first half of this year!
Note: For the sake of variety, each artist was only allowed to appear on this list for a maximum of two songs.
#100: KimYeJi, “ALONE”: The best example on her latest release of the raw edginess in her irreplaceable voice
#99: Little Glee Monster, “Your Name”: The girls’ signature harmonies pair with a sound that is both new and classic for them
#98: fromis_9, “Escape Room”: A fulfilled opportunity for fromis_9 to demonstrate their talent and versatility; their more mature side gets the big reveal it deserves.
#97: PRIKIL, “Somebody”: A song so upbeat it is hard not to smile about; an incredibly likable release
#96: Yerin, “Lalala”: A poetic song that details what it feels like to be blossoming and falling in love
#95: woo!ah!, “Catch the Stars”: An adorable ode to reaching for the sky
#94: WONHO, “Eye On You”: A song perfectly suited to WONHO’s seemingly contradictory strong suits: a mysterious tone and a commanding presence.
#93: Weeekly, “Ven para”: A level up from their previous singles in terms of attitude and catchiness
#92: eill, “Tada no Gyaru”: A refreshing twist in her discography, on which she proves she can work with hip-hop sounds as well as she works with retro flair
#91: Rolling Quartz, “Delight”: The group’s best song to date for solidifying their image as rock-and-roll songstresses
#90: Cheng Xiao, “Lonely Beauty”: A thought-provoking rumination on the double-edged sword of being deemed beautiful by society
#89: Nissy, “Trippin”: An engaging album introduction, kicking off his album with maximum bravado
#88: VERIVERY, “O”: An R&B dance song with percussion and guitars that make unexpected moves and add to this track’s dynamism
#87: NAO AIHARA, “lighthouse”: A hodgepodge of sounds that realign themselves during the flute-backed, hip-hop choruses to give the song movement and memorableness
#86: AB6IX, “Sucker for your love”: A breakup ode with angst, wistfulness, and sentimentality woven together in an anthemic way
#85: KIM WOO SEOK, “Ghostin’”: A bass-driven, Latin-inspired song meant to be a continuation of a previous release, “Next”
#84: THE SOLUTIONS, “The Middle”: An essential on the album, bringing the energy up and allowing a wide variety of sounds from the other songs on the album to swell as one in a satisfying climax
#83: TEMPEST, “Bad News”: A delightfully ironic tone and a bizarre, but catchy, sound effect drive the song’s method of communicating bad news!
#82: OWV, “Sound the Alarm”: Multiple catchy hooks put together for a piece of pop perfection
#81: JO1, “YOLO-konde”: A song that impresses for its ability to maintain a very high energy level throughout, pausing only when a dramatic effect is in order
#80: Kenshi Yonezu, “POP SONG”: An unconventional parade of sounds; an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach to making a pop song, with surprisingly catchy results!
#79: Hamingu ft. Luvabstract, “SELECT”: A smooth vocal blend that balances out moodiness with easy listening
#78: millennium parade, “No Time to Cast Anchor”: An unconventional romp between and among brassy and percussion-focused lanes
#77: ENHYPEN, “Polaroid Love”: A sweet song made all the more sentimental with its massively viral TikTok dance trend
#76: Solar, “HONEY”: A flirty, rhythmic bass-driven jam with a memorable nod to Winnie the Pooh!
#75: Kimberley Chen & Flesh Juicer, “Clouds of Smoke (雲煙)”: A powerhouse vocalist teams up with a screamo-esque rapper for a rock track that is hard to forget.
#74: Nogizaka46, “Actually…”: An unpredictable soundscape that moves from suspense-building percussion into bubblegum pop territory to create the effect of two songs in one
#73: YOSHIKI EZAKI, “RUNNING”: A song that effectively brings to life the song’s theme of breaking into a sprint; an immersive rush of a listening session
#72: TREASURE, “DARARI”: A fan favorite given the extra love it deserves with its rock remix
#71: Kep1er, “WA DA DA”: A playful, catchy debut song that deserves its massive popularity
#70: Red Velvet, “Rainbow Halo”: An R&B-based song with layers of synths, bells, and saxophone riffs that make for an eccentric mixture
#69: Younha, “Event Horizon”: Stellar vocals tell a story of embracing a goodbye and treating it as a “See you later” moment before focusing on the better future ahead
#68: OH MY GIRL, “Kiss & Fix”: The strongest testament on the group’s newest album to their new maturity that does not sacrifice their original style
#67: Kep1er, “MVSK”: A standout B-side for its unconventional, start-and-stop pattern and breakneck pace
#66: H1-KEY, “ATHLETIC GIRL”: A debut with lots of potential, presenting this group as one with empowering messages and attractive vocals
#65: EPEX, “Anthem of Teen Spirit”: A forceful declaration of rising above life’s challenges, set to a cinematic instrumental
#64: KIHYUN, “, (COMMA)”: Top-notch vocals use punctuation marks as analogies for what he wants and doesn’t want his relationship to become.
#63: SUIREN: A layered, well-crafted, and downright cinematic number
#62: Ragoon ft. MRSHLL, “Thumb-Nail”: Lowkey attitudes and silky-smooth vocals make this relatively mellow tune extra likable.
#61: KINGDOM, “Ascension”: A classic KINGDOM release, with its K-drama-worthy status, emphasis on traditional instruments, and larger-than-life nature
#60: Epik High ft. LeeHi, “Rich Kids Anthem”: An artful description of the ways social media can take a toll on mental health and a plea to refocus on what truly matters in life
#59: NCT DREAM, “Glitch Mode”: A quirky, hip-hop dance song that is very on-brand, with its large personality and sonic twists and turns
#58: Kawaguchi Yurina, “Look At Me”: Guitar-driven pop perfection with EDM remix-ready choruses
#57: from20, “WEOL”: “... from20 knows just where his musical sweet spot is and has been flourishing there ever since. His latest offering from that space: another nostalgic, synth-heavy, headbang-worthy blast. ‘WEOL’ tightly packs together percussion and synth layers to heighten its sense of suspense and uncontained frustration. from20’s voice adds an emotional edge, coldly stating his firm beliefs in some instances… and lashing out in others…” Read more here!
#56: Dreamcatcher, “MAISON”: A coded PSA about the climate crisis that delivers its message in a compelling and on-brand, rock-rooted way
#55: Hyolyn & XIA, “Coming of age ceremony”: A soundtrack for three occasions put together: a steamy romance, an EDM dance break, and a grand finale!
#54: EGOIST, “Gold”: “Many elements come together to make this song pull off its drama: piano and guitar riffs, a choir of backup voices, and EDM breakdowns. As kaleidoscopic, fast-changing images fill the music video, they sing an empowering message, encouraging listeners to not just go for the gold, but to recognize the gold that already exists within themselves and the preciousness of that inner gold...” Read more here!
#53: MAX CHANGMIN, “Maniac”: A chaotic song in the best way! A theatrical number that matches the frenetic energy of CHANGMIN’s pleas for someone to leave him alone!
#52: Daichi Miura, “Le Penseur”: A spaced-out song that leaves room to revel in the instrumental-only intervals; a consistent tempo that somehow also has room to give listeners the sensation of moving forward
#51: Kumi Koda, “Bow Wow”: An attention-grabbing album introduction with distinguishable, heavy piano notes and attitude in spades
#50: SUHO, “Hurdle”: A foot-tapping good time and a lighthearted spin on feelings of discombobulation and frustration!
#49: MIYEON, “TE AMO”: Proof that MIYEON’s vocals can take on different flavors; a standout on her debut album that adds power and emotional intensity to a sweet, airy collection of songs
#48: VICTON, “Stupid O’clock”: A release that stays original and authentic thanks to DO HAN SE’s signature rap flow, the ways the members’ voices work off of one another, and the expected catchiness of the instrumental
#47: Dreamcatcher, “Locked Inside A Door”: A sonic diversion from the group’s norms in a good way! A dabbling in jazzy influences for which their voices are well-suited
#46: KANGDANIEL ft. Jessi, “Don’t Tell”: A Latin pop song that perfectly melds KANGDANIEL’s alluring voice with Jessi’s trademark sauciness
#45: (G)I-DLE, “ALREADY”: A song that makes space for each individual’s voice to shine in its own way, but in ways that are seamless as opposed to disjointed
#44: BIGBANG, “Still Life”: A rock ballad both nostalgic in its classic sound and in its lyrics’ theme
#43: MONSTA X, “Wildfire”: A song that makes room to appreciate each member’s solo strengths in due time, from Joohoney’s irreplaceable rapping to Kihyun’s signature powerhouse delivery
#42: Stray Kids, “MANIAC”: A funky earworm of an instrumental peppered with ad libs and sound effects that make for a total blast
#41: MC Sniper, “Love Burnout”: Tongue-in-cheek lyrics delivered in an upbeat tone ensure sweetness and sourness are doled out equally.
#40: OnlyOneOf, “skinz”: A summation of this group’s one-of-a-kind style, with its heavy, distorted bass and sultry vocal delivery
#39: YOSHIKI EZAKI, “OMAENOSEI”: Rugged guitar riffs thrown on top of an intoxicating EDM beat
#38: RAVI, “WARRIOR”: An excellent choice for an album conclusion, exemplifying his impressive blend of pop-rock and electropop soundscapes
#37: TVXQ!, “Epitaph -for the future-”: A song that demands a version with a live band! Its multitudes and power make it a full musical production in miniature.
#36: SUPER★DRAGON, “Welcome to my hell”: An eerie, intriguing scene-setter, kicking off the album with an enticing tease at the twists and turns to come
#35: BE:FIRST, “Betrayal Game”: An addictive bassline guides both impressive high notes and the more cavalier-sounding lines that convey a cool attitude.
#34: PURPLE KISS, “Pretty Psycho”: A whistle-fueled, fast-paced song with the group’s trademark mysterious tone
#33: HAN SEUNG YUN, “Moon Driver”: A well-done synth and acoustic blend with a fun twist in the bridge
#32: Red Velvet, “BAMBOLEO”: Light and airy instrumental layers paired with angelic, harmonizing voices
#31: Moon Byul, “C.I.T.T (Cheese in the Trap)”: A jovial mix of pop-rock and computer game sounds; an eclectic mix that perfectly suits the song’s oddball metaphor and charismatic artist!
#30: LE SSERAFIM, “The Great Mermaid”: A bass-synth mix made even more fun with its sassy critiques of a Little Mermaid-style, damsel-in-distress narrative
#29: DeVita, “Bonnie & Clyde”: A downright captivating voice sings a well-known story with a brand new perspective.
#28: MIYAVI, “Dumb”: An addictive EDM beat paired with killer guitar shredding and a sinister laugh
#27: PENTAGON, “The Game”: A personality-packed, rock-meets-musical-theater number reminiscent of Block B
#26: TAEYEON, “Toddler”: A mix of levity and heaviness; a disco-pop easy-listening experience featuring deep lyrics about growing more cynical with age
#25: TAEYEON, “Cold As Hell”: Impressive production makes the instrumental richness as top-notch as the artist’s voice.
#24: ENHYPEN, “Blessed-Cursed”: A blend of 70s rock and hip-hop that further expands this group’s musical boundaries
#23: Novel Core ft. Aile The Shota, “HAPPY TEARS”: A road-trip-ready jam worth singing along to, about brushing away the small stuff and focusing on the bright side of life
#22: Epik High ft. Kim Feel, “Family Portrait”: A touching message for those who have lost loved ones. A personal favorite lyric: “The еmpty seat is louder than the sound of laughter.”
#21: DAYBREAK & LUCY, “Oh-eh”: A match made in musical Heaven! LUCY’s iconic violins blend seamlessly with DAYBREAK’s signature vocals, bringing out the best in both artists.
#20: Stray Kids, “Charmer”: A fiery mix of rapping and singing, with a standout flute sound and confidence in spades
#19: BTS, “Run BTS”: A prime example of BTS’s expertise at genre hybridity and a song worthy of the massive hype fans have been giving it!
#18: WOODZ, “I hate you”: A solidification of WOODZ’s rockstar status and a cathartic, emo breakup anthem
#17: (G)I-DLE, “TOMBOY”: An attitude-drenched, come-as-you-are anthem that solidifies the group’s new and improved image as confident icons
#16: BOL4, “In the mirror”: With a voice that could make reciting the phone book sound entertaining, BOL4 sends a touching message about self-love to both her past self and to all listeners.
#15: iKON, “DRAGON”: A perfect mix of old, “DUMB & DUMBER”-era iKON and a new-to-iKON style; a high-energy head-banger that shows a new level of maturity alongside a cultivation of iKON’s inner child, using a dragon metaphor to describe feelings of invincibility
#14: FAKY, “Diamond Glitter”: “This quirky earworm mixes a playful piano with a fiddle and other unexpected details. The group skips their typical emphasis on individual members’ vocal strengths, opting this time for lots of chanting in unison that reinforces the song’s celebratory feel…” Read more here!
#13: 4EVE, “Exceptional”: A combination of modern and traditional instruments, R&B and pop influences, and varied instrumental layers, all put together to tell an important story about knowing one’s worth outside of societal labels
#12: WAGAMAMA RAKIA, “GR4VITY G4ME”: “Rapid percussion and guitars guide the verses into headbang-worthy pre-choruses. The rock choruses have the perfect amount of angst to not turn off pop music fans but still appeal to emo fans. The screaming makes for a compelling contrast from the periods when their voices slip into hushed tones. Their whispers come across as ominous instead of calming. Just as fluidly as they slip from yelling into whispering and back again, they also alternate between rapping and singing…” Read more here!
#11: MONSTA X, “LOVE”: “... quite possibly one of the best K-pop title tracks of 2022 so far. It blends the sounds of several MONSTA X eras into a new concoction that feels both true-to-them and new-to-them, comfortingly familiar yet not derivative…” Read more here!
#10: WOOZI, “Ruby”: Injections of humor, orchestral backup, rock inspiration, electronified vocal distortions, a distinct metaphor, and even more elements, all artfully blended into one song.
#9: milet, “One Reason”: “‘One Reason’ packages up all the messy emotions processed and separated from one another throughout visions. Feelings of wistfulness, sorrow, shame, anger, fear, loss, love, passion, desire, confidence, self-worth, insecurities… all sorts of contradictions have now been tangled up into a ball once again. The instrumentals add to this message; it sounds as if all the instruments from each of the previous songs have decided to return for the grand finale…” Read more here!
#8: SEVENTEEN, “DON QUIXOTE”: A welcome reference to a classic book character, sung about in a classically SEVENTEEN way
#7: TXT, “Thursday’s Child Has Far To Go”: A back-and-forth between synth-focused and guitar-focused segments, bound together by a shared story about what it means to be “Thursday’s Child”
#6: Official HIGE DANdism, “Anarchy”: “The band plays around with vocal effects and the timing of the song, as voices linger at the end of choruses, a capella-style. There is an unexpected detour during the second verse to make room for mellowed-out guitar strumming and spaced-out drum beats, before the bass comes roaring back. The song ends with drawn-out guitar playing and the sound of microphone feedback, representing both the end of the song and the totality within it...” Read more here!
#5: SEVENTEEN, “Shadow”: A standout vocal performance for all, which is huge considering how impressive SEVENTEEN’s vocals are on every song! This time, there is an even higher degree of rawness and maturity in their singing.
#4: KIHYUN, “RAIN”: An absolutely astounding vocal performance that conveys the passion, sincerity, and emotional depth this powerful ballad deserves
#3: MAX CHANGMIN, “Devil”: A song that masterfully demonstrates why MAX CHANGMIN’s voice is a tour de force. The rousing sensation of listening to the instruments and dramatic background vocals are only matched, if not surpassed, by CHANGMIN’s method of leaving it all on the line with regards to his vocal performance.
#2: TXT, “Opening Sequence”: A gorgeous, classical music-inspired number in which listeners can intimately feel the profound pain and conflicting feelings about which the members so mellifluously sing
#1: milet, “Loved By You”: “All of the literal bells and whistles from earlier songs on visions are gone as she faces reality. The pain in her voice and relatively lonely instrumental leave listeners feeling the weight of her words and appreciating the emotional effort it has taken to reach this point of acceptance. She still hopes for ‘Someone [to] tell [her] it will be alright,’ but she no longer asks her lover to be that voice of reassurance. In ‘Loved By You,’ her signature bite is not entirely gone but has clearly softened…” Read more here!
To learn more about my reasons for these picks, and to find out which songs received honorable mentions, listen to the corresponding episode of 17 Carat K-Pop, out here and wherever else you get your podcasts!