As a spin-off to my Battle of the B-sides characteristic, I’m happy to announce the arrive of “Battle of the Title Tracks!” On this characteristic, I’ll be pitting three Okay-pop title tracks/singles towards one another and selecting a winner. These songs will largely be from pre-2016 since I’ll attempt to concentrate on 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!

Hyolyn – Lonely (2013)

Hyolyn made her solo debut fairly early in Sistar’s profession, releasing a pair of title tracks to showcase varied sides of her musical persona. Lonely is the extra reserved of the 2 – a mild, piano-driven mid-tempo. Normally, I’d be tempted to name this kind of music “boring” or “snoozy,” however Hyolyn elevates the softness of the sound together with her fantastically breathy vocals. She’s one in all my all-time favourite Okay-pop vocalists – immediately recognizable and at all times compelling. The identical may very well be mentioned for a lot of Sistar, actually. How fortunate have been we to have them? With that mentioned, she’s launched a lot stronger solo materials since this got here out.

PSY – It’s Artwork (2011)

When considering of PSY’s music, it’s straightforward to pigeonhole him into some comedic, meme-making function. Nonetheless, songs like It’s Artwork reveal a deeper musicality and shocking stage of sentiment. The music is amongst his most anthemic, melding dancefloor power with insistent symphonic heft. The piano arpeggio that drives many of the monitor is immediately memorable, giving the instrumental tons of character. The music surges and swells with utter confidence, blossoming right into a knockout refrain that sees PSY belting on the high of his lungs. And simply after pulling again for a softer bridge, It’s Artwork climaxes within the biggest of pop music methods: a triumphant key change.

Tremendous Junior – Don’t Don (2007)

It’s been fascinating to listen to how some components of SM Leisure’s much-venerated “SMP” hybrid style have continued to make their method into the company’s present roster. The blistering mixture of pop, rock and hip-hop was at its peak from about 2004-2014 and echoed a daring idol sound that was prevalent in lots of east Asian markets on the time. Simply take heed to Taiwan’s Vitality in case you don’t imagine me! Don’t Don may not maintain collectively in addition to a legendary monitor like Rising Solar, however it’s minimize from the identical material. Laborious rock guitar collides with programmed dance beats and even a violin solo to forge an actual showstopper. The layered refrain is so satisfying.

The successful monitor of this version is PSY’s It’s Artwork!

Readers, what do you assume? Go away your individual rating within the feedback!