Following a convention first established in 2020, I’m celebrating the vacations at the moment with the opening of presents. These packages come within the type of seasonal Okay-pop tracks not but reviewed on the weblog.
This 12 months, the foundations are easy. I’m both holding the presents or planning to return them. There’s a fairly nice line between the 2 outcomes, and plenty of songs barely eked into the “maintain” class. However, I solely have a lot area for presents. Now will not be the time to be wishy-washy!
Model New Music – Hugs
Model New Music artists delivered two vacation presents this 12 months, however just one comes with its personal music video. Sadly, Hug is a tedious, trap-driven midtempo I’ll be returning straight away.
Verdict: Return
Cielogroove – On a regular basis Christmas (ft. TAN)
Cielogroove is a manufacturing workforce, and so they’ve paired with boy group TAN for this little ditty. The music is inoffensive and vivid, leveraging traditional vacation sounds. It doesn’t actually go anyplace, nevertheless it’s nice sufficient.
Verdict: Preserve
C9 Artists – Merry Merry Christmas
I do know we’re in secure arms when a Christmas music kicks off with sleigh bells! I like how dramatic the introduction is. This can be a enjoyable, upbeat carol – among the many stronger vacation tracks launched this 12 months. The occasional blasts of choral vocals are my favourite contact.
Verdict: Preserve
Chuu & George – Pricey My Winter
That is a kind of songs you play within the night subsequent to a fireplace as snow blankets the world exterior. It’s very cozy and easy and simply sort of lulls you to sleep. George and Chuu’s vocals praise one another nicely.
Verdict: Preserve
Dreamcatcher – White
White is roofed by a lot of lady teams, however its vivid, fluffy nature isn’t one thing I affiliate with Dreamcatcher. The ladies pull off the idea, even when it’s a bit toothless for them.
Verdict: Preserve
Ha Hyunsang – When Winter Comes
That is actually fairly. I’m a sucker for rock ballads and Hyunsang has a really evocative voice. It’s not the strongest melody I’ve heard in my life, however I discover this beautiful satisfying so long as I’m in the proper temper.
Verdict: Preserve
Jaurim – Mr. Klauss + If It Snows On Christmas Day
Nicely, it is a unusual flip. These two songs are fairly totally different from one another. One’s kind of a rocky/jazzy cabaret quantity and the opposite is extra punk influenced. Neither is absolutely for me, however I don’t begrudge anybody who loves this as a result of it’s straight-up unusual and that’s a fantastic factor.
Verdict: Re-gift (as a result of I feel another person goes to find it irresistible)
Jin (Lovelyz) – Our Christmas
I’ll all the time take pleasure in Jin’s voice and this music has the identical hushed enchantment as George & Chuu’s monitor. However, it lacks a memorable issue. It’s extra snoozy than cozy, which is a slight however vital distinction.
Verdict: Return
Jung Seung Hwan – My Favourite Winter
Jung Seung Hwan has change into one in all Korea’s go-to singers of wintery fare. This time the music is a little more upbeat, which is certainly interesting. It’s very middle-of-the-road background music, nevertheless it has my toe tapping.
Verdict: Preserve
Katie – Christmas Final Awhile (ft. paulkyte)
This has a sort of cool lo-fi high quality and Katie’s vocals sound nice. It’s very atmospheric, however I stored ready for the music to kick into gear. I’m unsure if the manufacturing (notably the percussion) all the time matches the melody. I just like the instrumental solo within the center, although.
Verdict: Return
Kim Chaewon – My Little Christmas
Oh my gosh these sleepy tracks actually change into a drag whenever you hear one after the opposite. I can’t inform if Chuu and George’s duet is definitely superior or if I merely prefer it greatest as a result of it was the primary one I listened to! This one is sort of boring, sadly.
Verdict: Return
Lee Boram, Punch & Yebin – White Christmas
This music has a bit extra power, however solely a bit. It’s a fantastic trio of vocalists, and that goes a good distance. I’m not thrilled about something right here, however I’ll hold onto it simply in case it improves with time.
Verdict: Preserve
Lee Sujeong & Lee Woo – The Miracle of Christmas
I’m nonetheless ready for that Woollim Household vacation monitor that solely exists in my creativeness, however no less than we now have one in all their artists right here. I used to be about to move on this one till the beat got here in and the music out of the blue changed into a celebration. Not a fan of the verses, however the refrain works.
Verdict: Preserve
Mirae – Snow Prince
Mirae cowl a traditional single from their company seniors SS501. The unique Snow Prince is nice and that is too, nevertheless it doesn’t make any decisions that may set it aside. Like NCT Dream’s recording of Sweet, it feels superfluous. However, no less than it’s upbeat.
Verdict: Preserve (however I’ll most likely simply play the unique)
Stella Jang – Winter Dream
Okay, I actually like this. The quirky piano pop sound is refreshing and Stella’s vocal is gentle and stuffed with character. It’s not the sort of music I’d placed on another playlist, nevertheless it’s charming and nostalgic.
Verdict: Preserve
VERIVERY – Christmas Day
This was a late Christmas arrival, hiding within the backside of the stocking. However, I’m holding it! Certain, it’s slightly tough across the edges, however its power is infectious.
Verdict: Preserve
Weeekly – Pleased Christmas
That is additionally good, although it undoubtedly looks like vacation album filler. The melodies are slightly uninspired, nevertheless it’s good to listen to one thing with extra pep in its step. Weeekly make the proper supply technique for Christmas cheer.
Verdict: Preserve
WEi – Present For You
The verses listed below are very boring however the refrain injects some life into the monitor. A second verse breakdown (critically, we’re even doing this in Christmas songs?!?) looks like coal within the stocking, and from that time on the music struggles to get better its power.
Verdict: Return
woo!ah! – Merry Christmas In Advance
There’s one thing refreshingly “old-school Okay-pop” about this. Like most songs on this function, it’s not notably “good.” However, it’s buoyant and vivid and enhances the vacation season nicely sufficient.
Verdict: Preserve
Yoon Jisung – December 24
We’re again to Sleepytime Categorical. Jisung has a stunning voice that compliments this hushed sound, however that is tremendous boring and fairly tacky.
Verdict: Return
