Show Notes
Vanner – Jackpot
It’s a cool pop rock track. I love the tempo super energetic. The beat sounds kinda weird, like semi-acoustic, uncanny valley ish, i would’ve preferred either fully acoustic or fully digital. The guitar is great throughout, mixed really well. On occasion the vocal sounds a bit too effected by autotune and other fx but a great energetic performance. Its a really fun track right here.
Boycold with leellamarz – I can’t be cool
I love this take on korean rnb, fusing it with a dancehall beat, brilliant. The production is pretty good, I love the scratchiness of the drums on the mid-highs. The low-mid is a bit crowded, especially with the keys could barely make them out at times, the beat is loud but i liked this, the bass was a touch low-mid heavy, if theres such thing as too thick this is it. It’s a cool track but doesn’t really stand out, leellamarz performance was great though.
Changmo – Heliot Emil
I like the glassy samples, have a city pop vibe to them, song in general sounded like the soundtrack to JRPG Persona. Changmo’s flow is fast, performance lacks some dynamics, I think they’re affected by the autotune on his voice. Doesn’t overstay its welcome this one, in fact felt a bit short I would’ve liked a bridge, the instrumental is mesmerising I wanted to swim in it a little more. Very good track definitely check it out.
2am – Echoes of Love’s Journey
This track is quite loud considering it’s a ballad. The vocal performance is incredible, I prefer it to If you change your mind I found it a little more emotive. The chorus melody is great, it has a pace to it, it soars, its performed beautifully. The arrangement is stock standard, strings, guitar etc nothing new here. I’m loving 2am being more active recently they truly are some of Kpops strongest singers.
Seori – Broken
Loved the vocal on this one, the intro and verse reminded me of FKA Twigs, dark, solemn and spacious, very cool filtering and verbs delays on the beat. Harmonies are beautiful and warm. The track has good dynamics, crescendos satisfyingly in the back end. Awesome track from Seori, an artist with a great diverse range.
Babymonster – Stuck in the Middle
Its a solid pop ballad and it was unexpected from Babymonster which is cool. The vocal is angelic, fairy like with its high pitched soft airyness.
It comes in with a beat at the back half of the raps, which is mixed fine, but it never comes back so musically doesn’t really make sense like was I supposed to forget about it? I kept expecting it to come back and it never did. The piano and vocal is very well performed as well as the harmonies, but it got in the way of the sparseness. I think it would’ve been a more emotive, haunting ballad if it was more sparse like G-dragon’s Untitled.
Eden – Eternal
Don’t have that much to say bout this one, except I think it’s worth checking out. the melody and mix sit in a way that scratched an itch.
DPR Artic ft. DPR Ian – Do or Die
A Trance leaning tune. I liked the higher pitched synth had a cool tone, all the textures are cool reminiscent of Rufus du sol. This track lacked a little something, maybe more dynamics or some variation in the higher elements. DPR Ian’s subdued performance suits the track but doesn’t give it energy so I found it plodded.
Bobby, Ovan ft. Sunhye – True Love
It’s a pretty cool bop. The bass is a touch loud, there’s some cool harpsichord sounding flourishes mixed very wet it’s a cool sound in the chorus. The flow was ok, Ovan’s performance also ok.
KCM – For You
Not too much to say about this one except the vocal performance is the best I’ve heard in a hot minute. Over 20 years in to his career, KCM hitting us with a perfect korean ballad.
Olltii, Lone – Lacoste
HUUUIIII this beat knocks. Love the percussion in the high, has a metallic, glassy touch. The vocal is sitting perfectly in the mix. Flow is ok if not a little lagging at times, would’ve liked some more dynamics. The siren used well wasn’t so annoying in this one. Awesome track.
Bluebell – Meonjoe malhage I’ll tell you first 먼저 말할게
This pre-debut from Future Idol project Bluebell slaps. Citypop synthwave goodness, took me by surprise how good some of the vocal performances are, despite others being very effected. Really catchy, groovy tune.
Super Junior LSS – C’mon
Wasn’t crazy about this one. Obnoxious horns, heard that trap beat plenty before. Its fun the performance is great, but not my flavour.
Basecamp ft. Sole – Love
This one has an interesting beat and sounds like Baek yerin’s – Our Love is great and Popo combined. Sole is great on the track, great control and soulful. The production is warm and the performance swings very naturally, appreciated how real everything sounds. The trumpet solo at the end is great, recommend this one great track.
How NOT to Kpop 