With over 5,000 songs on my iPhone’s “Ok-Pop Singles” playlist, I assumed it could be enjoyable so as to add a little bit of unpredictability to my tune assessment posts. So because of this, we have now the “Random Shuffle Evaluate” characteristic.

The principles are easy. I fireplace up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and no matter tune performs first will get the complete Bias Checklist therapy!

12 months Launched: 2012

It’s a disgrace {that a} group like B1A4 doesn’t exist anymore in Ok-pop. Earlier than you all soar down my throat, I’m properly conscious that B1A4 themselves are nonetheless selling, albeit with a brand new configuration. However for the aim of this write-up, I’m particularly speaking about 2011-2017 B1A4 earlier than two members left and the sound of Ok-pop modified fairly drastically. Previous to that, this group managed to discover a pathway that skirted between established boy group tropes to forge a sound all their very own. That’s partially because of the members’ participation in songwriting/manufacturing, however it’s additionally a product of an period that was nonetheless curious sufficient to permit for risk-taking creativity.

If you consider it, B1A4 by no means match completely into any established idea. They by no means did “darkish,” “brooding” or “shouty,” and even when their songs had been shiny and bubbly (as they usually had been), the music by no means felt cookie-cutter. A tune like 2012’s Child Good Evening exemplifies the distinctive contact they at all times gave their music. It’s upbeat and enjoyable however nonetheless a bit bizarre. From its boring electrical thump to the swirling melodies that forge the refrain, the observe spawns infinite power whereas maintaining issues oddly sedate. It’s a catchy-as-hell pop tune with an off-kilter rhythm and nearly cartoonish efficiency. In different phrases, the tune is only a ton of contradictions thrown collectively. It’s actually “pop,” however defies straightforward idol group classification. These qualities make it timeless. Taking part in Child Good Evening as we speak feels simply as contemporary and charming because it did 13 years in the past. This tends to occur when artists don’t slavishly comply with traits and readily conform to market-proven templates.

Grade: A