Have a look at me introducing a function in February 2023 after which not following up on it till fifteen months later. Oops!

As a spin-off to my Battle of the B-sides function, I’m happy to announce the arrive of “Battle of the Title Tracks!” On this function, I’ll be pitting three Okay-pop title tracks/singles towards one another and selecting a winner. These songs will principally be from pre-2016 since I’ll attempt to give attention to music I haven’t but written about on the weblog.

As at all times, the competitors is all in good enjoyable. Most significantly, I hope you uncover (or re-discover) some nice songs!

Berry Good – As a result of Of You (2015)

Berry Good had been a really underrated act, marred by a horrible group identify and restricted price range. However inside this framework, they managed to churn out their justifiable share of highlights. I consider As a result of Of You is what netizens would name “Christian horse lady music” — an invented sub-genre I’ve at all times cherished and a moniker that’s at all times made me chuckle.

As a result of Of You is gentle and ethereal, solely actually leaving its mark through the refrain. I really like the acoustic influences within the manufacturing, peppered with strings to offer the observe a fragile vibe. The post-chorus vocal hook is past attractive and definitely worth the value of admission by itself. A standout bridge and finale give the observe motion and payoff, even when they’ve extra dynamic songs than this of their arsenal.

F.Cuz – No. 1 (2012)

F.Cuz are one other underknown group with loads of bangers of their arsenal. They’re higher identified in Japan, however their few Korean tracks are nicely price looking for out. No. 1 is one in every of my favorites. It arrived proper inside Okay-pop’s obsession with slamming electro beats and rugged, mechanical vocal results. By itself, this sound is a ton of enjoyable. However when paired with wonderful melodies it actually soars.

No. 1 has its foolish moments. The spoken-word, extremely processed hook feels very tied to its period, however when the tune launches into its hovering refrain we’ve entered timeless pop territory. An prolonged dubstep-influenced dance breakdown results in a killer energy observe, sending the tune out on a excessive. It follows a longtime 2012 system however does it so nicely.

Xia Junsu – Unimaginable (ft. Quincy) (2013)

Now, we have now a tune launched on the tail finish of the early-2010’s EDM period. This may occasionally have precipitated Unimaginable to really feel somewhat extra generic by the point 2013 rolled round, nevertheless it’s exhausting to overstate the attraction of a giant dance observe led by a voice as highly effective and distinct as Junsu’s.

This type of surging dancefloor power will at all times be to my liking, and Unimaginable scores additional factors for its easy drive. That is additionally the place it struggles compared to its many friends. Past Junsu himself, there’s not a lot concerning the tune that stands out as distinctive. It’s boilerplate EDM pop, delivered with panache. That is nonetheless sufficient to make it a spotlight and I’d in all probability be falling throughout myself to reward its charms if a Okay-pop artist launched this in 2024.

The successful observe of this version is F.CUZ’s NO. 1!

Readers, what do you suppose? Depart your personal rating within the feedback!