Okay-pop has been a singles-driven marketplace for awhile now, however that solely appears to be more true with every passing yr. Both comebacks don’t have sufficient songs to be known as an “album,” or the b-sides are clearly designed to pad a tracklist slightly than stand out on their very own. With that mentioned, there have been a handful of albums I liked in 2024. Many had been connected to nice title tracks, however to be able to land on this record I actually needed to love the complete work.
Standards stays the identical from 2023: to be eligible for this countdown, an album should embrace no less than 4 full songs (intros don’t depend).
Honorable Mentions:
Dignity – Digmotion
DKB – City Trip
P1Harmony – Killin’ It
QWER – Manito
Taemin – Everlasting
TAN – W Collection: 3TAN
tripleS – ASSEMBLE24
Vahn – Come & Go
The Wind – Whats up: My First Love
Xdinary Heroes – Troubleshooting
10. DAY6 – Fourever
DAY6 aren’t any stranger to this record, usually crafting albums which can be even stronger than their singles. Fourever catches them in effective type, doling out precisely what followers need whereas nudging at style strains right here and there. B-side Glad has even grow to be a bona fide hit in its personal proper.
Standout Album Tracks: Unhappy Ending, The Energy Of Love
9. NMIXX – Fe3O4: Break
NMIXX opened the yr with their strongest album but, blitzing by plenty of genres with indefatigable charisma. Run For Roses lastly capitalizes on their vocal expertise whereas the anthemic Break The Wall closes the album with a bang.
Standout Album Tracks: Run For Roses, Break The Wall
8. Vanner – Seize The Flag
Seize The Flag seems like a Okay-pop album that might have been launched in the course of the 2010’s. It’s a bit everywhere in sound, however delivered with such panache. The songwriting is stable as a rock all through, matching the group’s polished supply.
Standout Album Tracks: Circuit, After Social gathering
7. YOUNITE – One other
Based mostly on their previous materials, I’d by no means have anticipated to characteristic an album from YOUNITE on this record. However not solely is title monitor Geekin a splendidly foolish spotlight, however the remainder of the undertaking affords equally enjoyable takes on idol hip-hop.
Standout Album Tracks: How We Do, Poco Loco
6. ZEROBASEONE – Cinema Paradise
What Cinema Paradise lacks in a cohesive sound, it makes up for in sonic breadth. It’s the group’s most fun album but, stuffed full with style diversions that every one work higher than anticipated. ZEROBASEONE convey loads of character to every type, making this a uncommon no-skip album.
Standout Album Tracks: Highway Film, Kill The Romeo, Insomnia
5. The Wind – Our: YouthTeen
Each albums from The Wind had been nice this yr, however Our: YouthTeen earns its spot due to a pair of supremely addictive b-sides. Basic Okay-pop sounds abound all through this undertaking, fusing nostalgia with forward-looking youth.
Standout Album Tracks: Friendship, Coronary heart Fluttering
4. BOYNEXTDOOR – How?
Not many Okay-pop albums really feel like they’re telling a narrative, however BOYNEXTDOOR handle to convey narrative by these songs and their placement inside How‘s monitor record. I really like the way in which this album rises and falls, peaking within the center and coming to a stunning denouement with the hushed Pricey. My Darling.
Standout Album Tracks: So Let’s Go See The Stars, Our, l i f e i s c o o l
3. TWS – Summer time Beat!
I’ve truly listened to Summer time Beat greater than its predecessor, although that’s largely as a consequence of its pair of mammoth singles. I’ve a longstanding bias towards summer-themed Okay-pop albums and TWS had been one of many few to launch one this yr. Its sound is brilliant, nostalgic and at all times highlighted by robust, memorable melody.
Standout Album Tracks: Preserve On, YOU+ME=7942, Hearth Confetti
2. TWS – Glowing Blue
TWS’s two mini albums are primarily tied, however I’ll give Glowing Blue the slight edge as a result of it’s their debut and it has their finest unpromoted b-side to date (First Hooky). From starting to finish, the album deposits you inside the group’s youth drama world, instantly presenting their core themes through a colourful bunch of extremely catchy pop songs.
Standout Album Tracks: First Hooky, Unplugged Boy
1. RIIZE – RIIZING
This nearly isn’t truthful, as a result of by the point 2024 got here to an finish the ultimate model of this album had primarily grow to be a “best hits” of RIIZE’s yr. Nonetheless, it’s superb how properly the entire undertaking hangs collectively. A number of genres collide in a seize bag of sounds, most of which echo previous SM Leisure glories. This makes it an ideal sampler for anybody inquisitive about Okay-pop, as I’m certain listeners will discover no less than one track they join with. I imply, you may as properly tack on final yr’s Get A Guitar and Recollections and have your self a whole RIIZE assortment.
Standout Album Tracks: 9 Days, One Kiss, Actually
