Hope everyone had a great holiday and New Years. I personally enjoyed a lot of releases from 2022, and I'm carrying over my excitement and enthusiasm by getting started early for this year's thread. Hoping this year is just as strong or even better.

"OMG" single: https://youtu.be/_ZAgIHmHLdc
"Ditto" pre-release single: https://youtu.be/pSUydWEqKwE

Group is now 6/6 in terms of songs, and I am really interested in seeing if this group's success really does have some impact on the genre and landscape as some people are expecting. It's a little too early to tell, and it's possible it's just something that ends up fizzling out, but they really do seem a bit refreshing compared to the K-Pop trends of the past few years.

And here's a recent official remix of one of their songs not on music services (yet?): https://youtu.be/uONSk48LW1A

https://youtu.be/YD1UblIUEe4?t=96 (performance starts at 1:36)
This was released near Christmas last year, which explains that instrumentation style.

This was a late 2022 discovery for me. Same Japanese label as downt, and I loved the opener for this album: https://youtu.be/nv4xtq3rlos

Nanimokamo: https://youtu.be/ugmjuAJ_GgY

The closing track on their album from last year. Really enjoyed this one, but the rest of their album didn't quite do it for me. Here's a link for the album if anyone is interested, however: https://lnk.to/KRSED28

Album from the Bocchi the Rock! anime that was released after the show ended. I posted a track that was composed by Ikkyu of tricot in last year's thread, and there are some other really good tracks on here if you enjoy a certain style of melodic j-rock/pop.

Karakara (composed by Ikkyu): https://youtu.be/IwHwv-lcxi4
Seiza ni Naretara (If I Could Become a Constellation): https://youtu.be/wSTbdqo-j74
Korogaru Iwa, Kimi ni Asa ga Furu (Rockn' Roll, Morning Light Falls on You) (Cover of Asian Kung-Fu Generation): https://youtu.be/E5O0mCrUdAM
Flashbacker: https://youtu.be/ecVnw_SiREQ

English announcement: http://fortracyhyde.com/2023/01/05/disbandment-announcement-eng/

Pitchfork also released a review today of their latest album: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/for-tracy-hyde-hotel-insomnia/

https://youtu.be/TGyzlH-8dyM

https://youtu.be/nwo48c6aK6I

Single for his upcoming album that will be released sometime this month.

timestamped links for songs/covers (original artists in parentheses):

OMG (NewJeans): https://youtu.be/7-0VvIKT0L0?t=000
Just A Feeling (S.E.S.): https://youtu.be/7-0VvIKT0L0?t=324
WA-R-R (Colde): https://youtu.be/7-0VvIKT0L0?t=887 (my recommendation if you want to just check out one)
Through the Night (IU): https://youtu.be/7-0VvIKT0L0?t=1376 (or this one)
Lucky (Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat): https://youtu.be/7-0VvIKT0L0?t=1576

I was excited to hear this after they uploaded a preview of Hanni's cover of IU's "Through the Night" a few days ago. NewJeans is the current IT group/thing in K-Pop and Korea, so I guess it was only a matter of time until one of the members appeared on this show. From her group's music it was easy to tell that her voice was very suited for R&B-ish songs, but it was great hearing her play fingerstyle guitar and singing something in that airy and fragile style too. That cover and the cover of Colde's "WA-R-R" are my favorites from the set. I had not heard the Jason Mraz song before, but the duet with the host (Lee Mujin) seemed nice. I should also mention that she's Vietnamese-Australian and a native English speaker, and that's reflected in her English enunciation and pronunciation, although I'm not sure how if affects her Korean in songs.

The interview bits were also pretty interesting. We learned a little bit about their demos that lack a vocal guide but retain the melodies and lyrics to avoid or limit copying the original voice techniques/methods. She also mentioned that the label used songs like the S.E.S. one she covered as training songs they wanted the girls to use to develop their style for NewJeans, which currently is centered around that 90s R&B/pop and Y2K aesthetic and sound.

I don't know how much interest there is here regarding K-Pop choreography, but the host articulated and asked a question about how their style differs from what you typically see. Most K-Pop choreography has all the members synced up and mostly in unison, but NewJeans' style feels a bit more loose and free even even though there's still that level of precision you expect from K-Pop. It's also a bit more hip-hop-influenced than what you typically see, especially for girl groups, and it's pretty refreshing to see.

And these are links to the original songs that were covered in the set if you're interested:
NewJeans - OMG: https://youtu.be/dgKui19_rU0
S.E.S. - Just A Feeling: https://youtu.be/8XrnhhmTN9E
Colde - WA-R-R: https://youtu.be/mjVq7Ha_WtQ
IU - Through the Night: https://youtu.be/BzYnNdJhZQw
Jason Mraz - Lucky (feat. Colbie Caillat): https://youtu.be/acvIVA9-FMQ

This is essentially a super group of female artists from the different K-Pop "generations" at SM Records:
1st: BoA
2nd: Taeyeon and Hyoyeon (Girls' Generation)
3rd: Seulgi and Wendy (Red Velvet)
4th: Karina and Winter (aespa)


The single is one of those divisive SM songs, and it's not hard to see why. Produced by Dem Jointz who worked with Kanye, Dr. Dre, Anderson .Paak, and a lot of other artists (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dem_Jointz), and it follows that formula that SM has been kind of infamous for lately: somewhat odd beat during the verses, a beat switch or two, insert a really melodic bridge, and return to previous beat. The two singles for this group in particular have had very distinct repetitive vocal samples in them. The first one has a Gregorian chant, and this new single's sample is apparently (?) from an Arabic song ("Stamp on It": https://youtu.be/likYKQXBLbw), although it sounds like it might be the vocal sample re-sung by them.

The song's lyrics don't make any sense, I dislike the second beat comes in, and there are a lot of other things that feel too goofy to work, but I find myself oddly coming back and listening to it. The bridge is fairly short, but I'm a sucker for these kind of melodic bridges, and the sequencing from Wendy -> Taeyeon -> BoA sounds great. Definitely not a song I would use to introduce anyone to K-Pop unless it's for the novelty, however.

The rest of the album mostly has that girl crush sound that has been popular the last few years. My favorite on the album is probably "Alter Ego" (https://youtu.be/k-M45W_iWMs), but the other songs have some some elements I enjoy too.

https://youtu.be/cKlEE_EYuNM

This is an English pre-release track for their upcoming album, and it's one of the better English tracks released by a K-Pop group. The song and lyrics do seem to cater more to an American/Western audience than their typical Korean releases that are more cutesy.

https://p-vine.lnk.to/oljkof

Listening to the new non-singles on their latest album, and I am already loving "suddenly" and its melodies and drumming.

I think it should be here next week along with iri's new album.

>I think it should be here next week along with iri's new
>album.

Nice, I still need to check out iri's new album, although I think only half of the songs are new?

SHOOTING STAR: https://youtu.be/L7spCJxloLY

Funny that I posted that GOT The Beat single just a couple of days ago where I talked a bit about how goofy and clunky it kind of sounds even if it slightly works, but this song is the exact opposite. The verses here use a hip-hop beat, and the transition into that beautifully melodic pre-chorus and chorus that re-integrates the beat from the verses is done flawlessly.

I'm still not sure where they'll be able to fit into the overall music landscape yet, but given that this is an English release and their recent increased popularity/exposure due to GALZ XYPHER with Western hip-hop fans, it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. I should have posted it when it came out:

GALZ XYPHER: https://youtu.be/-L4Visli9sA

First girl's rap is really the highlight for me, which is over J.I.D's "Surround Sound" (and everyone here probably at least recognizes that sample).

LEFT RIGHT (b-side): https://youtu.be/w-p4B1Si31s

https://youtu.be/GQ1uaBxf5_4?t=88 (performance starts at 1:28).

First single from her new album entitled "With A Hammer" that is coming out on 4/7.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfOURyD7ljc

https://youtu.be/T6YVgEpRU6Q

I've been seeing the group labeled as "X-Pop" at places like Tower Records in Japan. The 90s and Y2K aesthetic and R&B sound is in full force right now with this group from Japan and NewJeans from Korea, and I'm all for it. The video immediately made me think of TLC's "No Scrubs," Michael and Janet's "Scream," and maybe Biggie's "Mo Money Mo Problems"? I'm curious who exactly wrote the lyrics for this, because the lines about opps and Pirellis caught me off guard at first.

remix: https://youtu.be/grvnbktLcV4
original: https://youtu.be/43wIsMMTUZo

Haven't given this a listen yet but was aware of the review from various publications: https://www.metacritic.com/music/with-a-hammer/yaeji

I was also able to see her in concert after a work trip was canceled. Great performance. I wasn't sure what to expect when they finished setting up after the opener and there was only a single mic stand and a chair on the stage.

She was pretty emotional while telling the crowd goodnight which I'm hoping will make it more likely that she'll come through Houston on her next tour. We seem to get one-and-done'd a lot.

https://youtu.be/dYzgZVhiqmU

Haven't been closely following Shiina's work for a while now and only found out about this song from watching the Jigokuraku (Hell's Paradise) anime and its opening. Song is okay, anime is better.

Enjoyed this b-side from the EP: https://youtu.be/AZkCQoJBN-I
Single is okay: https://youtu.be/3TQd2ahq6oU

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2BRgQmmR9jovRrDgkZbtDx?si=GYNq1RaYTFiFkLwT2xUfJA
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/jp/album/rabbit-star-ep/1679823241?l=en

...I still haven't fully clicked with the new singer.

>...I still haven't fully clicked with the new singer.

I like her singing/rapping, but I can see why some people might not like her. I think musically the group hasn't been as interesting the last few years, although I still enjoy most songs.

A friend said that their single "Spicy" (https://youtu.be/Os_heh8vPfs) is their "I've Seen Footage" (https://youtu.be/sticXkHxZC4) of their discography, and now I can't unhear it. The single is sort of interesting but ultimately not my thing, but I guess it could grow on me.

The EP has some other decent songs, but the real standout for me has been "Thirsty" as I'm a sucker for these kind of R&B tracks: https://youtu.be/O5qOB4cDr7s

As expected from their company (SM), the vocals are great, and although rapping often is the weakest aspects of SM's songs, I think the rapping on here is actually really good and fits perfectly.

I thought I had written something about the group's previous release here, but I guess I forgot to do it.

The group has apparently been blowing up outside Korea thanks to their latest single, which is currently in the Billboard Top 20. I wasn't even aware there was an English version, which is probably the one getting play in foreign markets. The English version cuts out the rap part and key change at the end, which I'm sure was done to appeal to the different markets. It's a simple but solid song, and it's kind of easy to see how it became popular among the general public. I also think their lead vocalist, Aran, has a really pretty voice that sounds more like what you'd here from a singer-songwriter rather than K-Pop.

Twin Version (English): https://youtu.be/6uvUTu716rU

Original: https://youtu.be/Qc7_zRjH808

My favorite song from their previous EP: https://youtu.be/F8rp_eSOtxA

They've come Houston multiple times but I've never been for some reason.

I've been hooked on this song as of late: https://youtu.be/xHnuscnWaRk

I skimmed through the rest of his album, but this was the one track that really stuck out to me as I love Yerin Baek and Wendy's vocals. I really enjoy the song's lyrics as well, which depict lovers with just 55 minutes left together (end of the world?) and this belief that they'd still fall in love again in their next lives, although I guess it could also be interpreted as a breakup song and someone imagining getting back together.

They're really leaning into that jersey club sound on these pre-release tracks.

Super Shy: https://youtu.be/ArmDp-zijuc?t=41

New Jeans (intro and PowerPuff girls collab?): https://youtu.be/kcelgrGY1h8?t=69

More of that UK garage-ish sound:
"Cool With You" and "Get Up": https://youtu.be/nJDMAjwxthM

I've heard the live performance clips for their song "ETA" that hasn't been released yet, and that's also a banger. Here's a version on YouTube by someone that's tried to enhance the audio, which will have to do until it's officially released: https://youtu.be/y3gHLK9R9Z4

They honestly haven't missed yet aside from the awful hook used on the song they did for Coke Zero. The verses sounded solid, and J.I.D's verse on the remix is nice, but the hook is just awful even if it is an advertisement. Here's the video in case anyone's curious: https://youtu.be/HX9vJaXD8WE

ETA: https://youtu.be/jOTfBlKSQYY

ASAP: https://youtu.be/nFigEiB9P5c

Gold -Mata Au Hi Made- (produced by A.G. Cook): https://youtu.be/7-odh-yaREI

Link: https://youtu.be/u-8R5n54toE

Love the tracking shots at the beginning of the video, and I actually recognized the area (should be Shinjuku heading towards Shin Okubo). Videos like this always make me eager to visit again, and the plan is to visit Japan and some other parts of Asia later this year if if all goes accordingly.

Single from his EP: https://youtu.be/ontC3cTx3HI

Single: https://youtu.be/Ei_IXhZvy6Y

Probably my favorite song from them since "Houga" (can't recall if I ever posted it): https://youtu.be/x72auX6NBCY

Enjoying the mix of singles here that have influences varying from drum and bass, garage, future bass, and pop rock, but it all works.

Speed Love (neat flute?): https://youtu.be/GBnIOU9S6YU

Seoul Sonyo Sound: https://youtu.be/ZLMGwt3UfwA

Girls' Capitalism (Single): https://youtu.be/OvtoY0lfYJ8

Cry Baby (maybe too pop rock for some, but this probably has my favorite vocal melodies): https://youtu.be/Yk2fAZKV2P4

https://youtu.be/3lqZH4oCOI4

brb. is from Singapore, and I think all of their songs are in English while SIRUP sings in Japanese here.

They have a new album coming out next month on Ninja Tune, and it's shaping up to be interesting based on the singles. My favorite is easily "dazies" with that great shoegaze guitar riff.

dazies: https://youtu.be/U112Stii6uE

ghosts: https://youtu.be/fXAj54d8vSY

sulky baby: https://youtu.be/ca7zUSNpL70

https://www.metacritic.com/music/softscars/yeule

Last two songs were misses for me, but this is a fun summer song: https://youtu.be/cQTo9O85Zro

"Shadow Dance" from Hikari Mitsushima (previously featured on "Labyrinth" and "IN THIS WORLD"): https://youtu.be/W7AeETUJwy4

"わたしの声" ("My Voice") with 花譜 (KAF, not familiar with this "virtual singer"): https://youtu.be/4CpM2oSuElQ

>"Shadow Dance" from Hikari Mitsushima (previously featured on
>"Labyrinth" and "IN THIS WORLD"):
>https://youtu.be/W7AeETUJwy4


They need to stop messing around and do a full project together.

>>"Shadow Dance" from Hikari Mitsushima (previously featured
>on
>>"Labyrinth" and "IN THIS WORLD"):
>>https://youtu.be/W7AeETUJwy4
>
>
>They need to stop messing around and do a full project
>together.

It'd be nice if they put out an EP with new material. It does seem they have a particular sound/aesthetic working together.

ending song for the new Spy x Family season: https://youtu.be/7xRWOylrLfI

Link to the album playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_ix8WeJ9R4&list=OLAK5uy_mwGB1nmoQ7_GeeLJ_hegxevY-_TLiSV1s&index=1