Pop Music

The High Three Ok-Pop Songs of September 2024

indie1000.com October 1, 2024

On the finish of every month, I look again at my three favourite title tracks by Ok-pop artists. I take my very own scores into consideration, however there’s a little bit of wiggle room as sure songs are inclined to develop or fade.

September 2024 Total Ideas

Whereas the primary half of 2024 was fairly sturdy, these previous few months have been a little bit of a slog. It’s not that there haven’t been quite a few strong songs launched. Actually, I gave a bunch of September tracks a excessive “8.75” score. Nevertheless, till yesterday I hadn’t rated a title monitor above a “9” since June twenty fourth (Taemin’s Horizon was lately downgraded). That’s an extended stretch of time with out the form of knockout highlights that are inclined to gasoline my pleasure. Hopefully September’s last-minute standouts portend a stronger October to come back.

Most of September’s releases jogged my memory of this previous Could. Like that month, there have been a handful of very sturdy releases combating for a spot in my prime three. Many of those tracks may have made it in and can probably discover a place on my year-end countdown. It was a reasonably brutal match-up for my third spot, and I need to give large honorable mentions to tracks by Vahn, BOYNEXTDOOR, RIIZE and Vanner. Every one in every of these may have inched their means in, and issues would possibly nonetheless flip because the months go on. Additional complicating issues, a few of September’s finest releases arrived on the final day of the month — with out time to see how they rise or fall. Principally, I’m not overly assured in my rating.

One attention-grabbing September sample was the regular stream of SM (or ex-SM) solo tasks. Three out of 4 SHINee members launched one thing, whereas two EXO members additionally received in on the motion. The standard of those releases various, however I really like seeing “older” artists proceed to thrive.

There have been just a few good woman group releases (and a few good b-sides) this month, however on the entire my concern with 2024’s woman group sound continues. Again within the day, my listening habits had been way more evenly unfold between woman and boy teams, however I really feel like this yr’s countdown might be much more boy group centered than ever. They’re simply delivering extra participating, upbeat sounds proper now (at the least for my part). I really want a brand new woman group to debut and completely change the prevalent developments. Might SM’s upcoming rookies be those to do it? We’ll know quickly sufficient.

Talking of woman teams, I can’t assist however wax nostalgic about some upcoming reunions. Each GFriend and Lovelyz are set to embark on new tasks. Please let this usher in a renaissance of melodic, ornate GFriend/Lovelyz sounds! Oh, and I additionally need to give a shoutout to Dragon Pony, a newly debuted band that basically impressed me. They be a part of a yr of sturdy rookies.

J-pop had a reasonably strong month with just a few large highlights. I’m impressed by new group Wild Blue, whereas previous favorites like Queen Bee and Sakurazaka46 launched very strong tracks (although the previous is ineligible for the highest three this month as a result of there’s no mv… but). There was even a pleasing shock from an artist I’d by no means heard of earlier than.

The previous few months have suffered from giant gaps of inactivity, making promotions really feel fairly fractured. I don’t suppose that would be the case for October and November, that are each sometimes very busy. There have already been a ton of bulletins from high-profile acts and I anticipate (hope?) for that to proceed. We have to shut the yr sturdy!

Month Cumulative Ranking: 7.9

(compiled by averaging the scores of each Ok-pop overview from this month)