Completely happy 2025! As we transition to a brand new yr, it’s Bias Record custom to unveil some needs I’ve for Ok-pop going ahead. There’s a good quantity of overlap between this yr’s and final yr’s resolutions, though I write these earlier than trying again at 2024’s put up.

Readers, ensure to chime in within the feedback. What are your Ok-pop needs for 2025?

1. Heighten the melody

Hmm… this decision appears fairly acquainted. It’s turn into my high want for the previous few years and I’m going to maintain wishing for it till issues start to vary. Sure, I’ll turn into that previous man yelling at a cloud. However I might be yelling with essentially the most melodious voice you’ll be able to think about.

Severely, although… over the previous few years melody in Ok-pop has turn into flat, muted and repetitive — if there’s melody in any respect! This isn’t a private judgement, it’s simply the way in which issues are because the trade prioritizes components like dance, visible and persona over virtuosic singing. In comparison with 2023 and 2022, I really suppose issues are starting to maneuver in the best route, however in 2025 I’d like songwriters (and particularly, topliners) to problem themselves to craft melodies with vary and drama. I promise there are idols who can deal with this even with their demanding choreo.

2. In reality, heighten every thing! (and perhaps add orchestration)

I don’t wish to have to write down “beige pop” yet one more time within the new yr. Let’s carry theatricality and drama again to the songs themselves… not simply the ideas and imagery that usually take priority over the music. When selecting synths, don’t simply go along with the muted stuff everybody else is utilizing. Choose one thing distinctive and thrilling. If you happen to’re going to throw electrical guitar or brass on a observe, go full-bore.

And actually, can we get again to orchestral preparations in Ok-pop? Yr-end particular phases typically make use of these components (the orchestral mixture of TWS’s hey! hey! has taken over my life these previous few weeks), however lets put them on the principle model of the tracks. An excellent strings part makes every thing really feel grand and thrilling and compliments the theatricality embedded in most Ok-pop performances.

3. Producers with preferences

I’ve given up on returning to an period of “tremendous producers” with their very own signature sounds, however I’d love to listen to some hitmakers who forge music that feels customized. Too many songwriting groups in Ok-pop really feel as in the event that they’re answering a quick from the companies: “Please write an Afrobeats observe” of “Write one thing Sabrina Carpenter may sing.” At the moment, it’s simple to change between genres as a creator, however I’d like to listen to some composers focus on a sound that’s clearly pricey to them — perfecting one type reasonably than copying and pasting no matter genres are widespread or in-demand in the mean time.

4. Push previous 2:30 and flesh issues out

You may definitely stuff tons of concepts right into a slender tune body, however most of my favourite music of the previous yr has gone past two and half minutes to flesh out its imaginative and prescient till it reaches a pure conclusion. An awesome bridge and climax goes a good distance towards promoting a tune, and that’s exhausting to do should you’re constrained by time. And should you should persist with below three minutes, add selection to the tune construction so it nonetheless seems like we’ve gone on an entire journey.

5. A minimum of one lady group with a brand new (or previous!) sound

I’m actually placing lots of religion in SM’s upcoming lady group as a result of every year I appear to fall additional away from the lady group facet of Ok-pop. All I ask is for one new (or established) lady group to persistently launch hyper-melodic, super-propulsive pop music. Nobody’s doing it in the mean time, and that is the primary era of Ok-pop the place I don’t really feel like I’ve a horse within the race relating to this enormous (and massively widespread) facet of the trade. I’m searching for a brand new SNSD, Kara, T-ara, Sistar, Lady’s Day, AOA, 9 Muses, GFriend, Lovelyz, WJSN or Oh My Lady. That shouldn’t be too exhausting to seek out, proper?

6. A fruitful yr for my high three of 2024

On the alternative facet of the spectrum, I’m very enthused by this new era of boy teams. Particularly, TWS, RIIZE and BOYNEXTDOOR have my consideration and I’m actually hoping their momentum will proceed into the brand new yr. All three had stellar 2024s and have the potential to go even greater in 2025. I hope we get plenty of nice music from every act.

7. Don’t overlook the b-sides (aka: albums are vital, too)

Other than these three acts and some others, I felt like 2024 was a way more singles-oriented yr than standard. Nice albums had been tough to seek out. On the plus facet, I’m glad Ok-pop is again to selling its finest songs as title tracks, however I miss having killer b-sides I turn into equally obsessive about all year long.

8. Highlights from my previous favorites

Infinite and GFriend have already introduced comebacks and G-Dragon’s album appears to be prepared as nicely. New releases from older acts can go both manner, however I’m hoping that these returns are tremendous stable and characterize the artists doing what they do finest reasonably than merely replicating present tendencies. And although they’re not as senior inside the trade, I’m hoping my private favs Golden Youngster discover a method to stick collectively below a brand new company. They’re too gifted to easily fade away.

9. Area out your hits

2024 was extraordinarily lopsided, with nearly all the finest music popping out within the first half of the yr. I’d like 2025 to be a bit extra beneficiant with its spacing, delivering persistently nice hits all yr spherical.

10. Idols on album covers

Bodily variations of idol albums are as cool and inventive as ever, however I’m sick of the digital covers (those we see on our telephones and units) turning into so boring. Usually, they’re merely textual content and background. The idol trade is visible by nature. We have to put the artists again on their covers with cool, iconic picture shoots.