Wow, what a change a 12 months could make! At this level in 2023, I used to be solely in a position to choose a small handful of tracks to characteristic in my mid-year countdown, however 2024 has me spoiled for selection. My listing is unusually lengthy this time and doubtless received’t be all that shocking (barring one or two tracks, perhaps).

You’ll discover just a few MVP acts pop up greater than as soon as. However actually, there’s good selection right here representing each month of the 12 months to this point. As typical, tracks are introduced in alphabetical order. Rating will come on the finish of the 12 months. The good information is, I’ve already obtained at the least three “tune of the 12 months” contenders. I received’t be revealing which three they’re (in fact), however you’re welcome to guess!

Subsequent up might be mid-year options on Okay-pop albums, J-pop songs/albums and world pop songs/albums.

What had been your favourite singles in the course of the first half of 2024?

aespa – Supernova

aespa’s largest chart hit but and a welcome nod to each SM’s electro previous and the roots of hip-hop courtesy of its well-used Planet Rock pattern. (full evaluation)

BOYNEXTDOOR – Earth, Wind & Fireplace

BOYNEXTDOOR’s music has absolutely, lastly clicked with me over the previous few months, and Earth, Wind & Fireplace‘s madcap power makes it the most important riser on this countdown. (full evaluation)

Hey Gloom – Mamacita

The fellows of WAYBETTER love their home music, and Hey Gloom’s Mamacita is an irresistible burst of upbeat power constructed round a shout-from-the-rafters refrain. (full evaluation)

Kep1er – Taking pictures Star

Kep1er lastly embrace their full potential with this ethereal, sentimental dance monitor. They’ve by no means sounded higher, particularly as that layered refrain unfurls. (full evaluation)

Nayeon – ABCD

Twice’s Nayeon delivers the total pop celebrity expertise, lacing each highly effective phase of ABCD with plain charisma. The tune completely slays. (full evaluation)

OnlyOneOf – dOpamine

OnlyOneOf injected their sensual sound with stylish drum and bass for dOpamine, however it’s the tune’s megawatt refrain that earns it a spot on this listing. (full evaluation)

RIIZE – Increase Increase Bass

Pairing once more with their Get A Guitar collaborators, RIIZE convey the funk with Increase Increase Bass‘s taut, groovy body. It’s an all-killer, no-filler spike of pleasure. (full evaluation)

RIIZE – Unimaginable

Unimaginable echoes the summer time home power of SHINee’s View however paints it with RIIZE’s colours. The bridge and outro are nonetheless amongst 2024’s most thrilling musical moments. (full evaluation)

SF9 – Bibora

Releasing your strongest single eight years into promotions is kind of uncommon, however SF9 could have pulled it off with the brisk, thrilling Bibora. (full evaluation)

TAN – Hypertonic

Whereas it appears to be like like Hypertonic could grow to be TAN’s swan tune, they went out on an plain excessive. The monitor’s electro crunch will certainly attraction to followers of Okay-pop’s second-gen abilities. (full evaluation)

TRENDZ – Go Up

By no means doubt the facility of a veteran producer. Courageous Brothers reinvented TRENDZ’s sound with this driving, anthemic burst of rock-tinged tropical pop. It’s just about every part I need in a Okay-pop single. (full evaluation)

TWS – hey! hey!

Hey! hey! streamlines TWS’s youthful sound right into a turbo-charged energy pop anthem aiming for stadium sing-alongs. It’s this summer time’s excellent burst of optimism. (full evaluation)

TWS – If I’m S, Can You Be My N?

A confetti cannon of sugary pop hooks, If I’m S grows extra addicting with every hear. The rollicking rap verses are a spotlight, punctuated by an effusive refrain. (full evaluation)

TWS – Plot Twist

Plot Twist took over Korean charts this 12 months, its quirky-cute charms immediately crystallizing TWS’s musical worldview. The mantra-along climax is nice payoff, however the iconic refrain is the primary calling card. (full evaluation)

The Wind – H! Teen

Followers of vibrant boy group fare have been spoiled for selection this 12 months, however to those that haven’t absolutely embraced The Wind I’d urge you to test them out. This fizzy, buoyant title monitor can be a terrific begin. (full evaluation)