The year is coming to a close, and I did this list last year so why not do it again
BEST ALBUMS:
TWICE - Formula of Love: 0+T=<3
I initially thought this year paled compared to last year in terms of music when it came to TWICE. I wasn't a fan of any of the Taste Of Love tracks sans Scandal and I wasn't a huge fan of The Feels.
However...this album changed my mind. Scientist is a bit of a chore to get through imo, but once ICON starts is when the album really starts popping off.
Standout tracks: ICON, F.I.L.A(Fall In Love Again), PUSH & PULL
WOW. They really came out of retirement and said let me show y'all how it's done! EASILY the best BG album of the year. Yet another album that proves SHINee are the best of the best when it comes to music quality. Despite the mixed reactions it got, I think even Don't Call Me was pretty fine as well.
Standout tracks: CODE, Body Rhythm, I Really Want You
One thing about WJSN is that they will always serve quality, especially when it comes to full bodies of work. Such a shame they're so underrated because their music is top-tier.
Stand-out tracks: Last Dance, YALLA, UNNATURAL
Tied with UNNATURAL as the best GG album of the year for me. I've always wanted a GG to delve into the hyperpop/PC Music genre so imagine how STOKED I was when I first heard this. Every track is just....so addictive, these songs just seep into your mind when you aren't noticing. That's what I love about hyperpop and they pulled it off perfectly. ICONIC is pure crack.
Standout tracks: Everything except Lucid Dream.
Loved loved loved this. I don't really know what else to say lmao, except that IU doesn't disappoint. Clearly a step up from Blueming and her last full album(Palette).
Standout tracks: Flu, My Sea, LILAC, Ah puh
GIDLE - I BURN
Now I've never been the biggest fan of them but they immediately caught my attention with this.
Oh My Girl - Dear OH MY GIRL
After they rocked 2020 with smash hits Dolphin and Nonstop, everyone was looking forward to their follow-up. After a hiatus of like a year, they finally delivered. Much stronger than their last album. With NONSTOP EP I was only a fan of the title track, NEON and Dolphin, I loved all songs on here at first listen.
Standout tracks: My doll, Quest, Dun Dun Dance
Honorable mentions: TCC: Freeze(TXT), BORDER: CARNIVAL(ENHYPEN), Queendom EP(Red Velvet), GUESS WHO(ITZY)
BEST SONGS:
Initially....I did not see the hype around this and shrugged them off as another trend-hopping girl group. However, lately it's been creeping up on me lmao
It's only been like a week since their debut and this is one of the top songs of the year for me and one of the best debut songs I've heard in a while. Not surprised they're doing so well.
STAYC - ASAP
STAYC are such a breath of fresh air in this industry. Among all the groups trying to follow the BP-print, here lies STAYC, who simply release catchy bubblegum music to cheer you up. This song is so fresh and fun, it makes me smile whenever I listen to it.
LIGHTSUM - You, jam
I don't know, maybe the fact that it sounds like an IZ*ONE/WJSN reject makes me love it alot. Nonetheless, it's one of the top bsides this year for me and definitely better than the title track.
ONF - The Realist
Not a huge fan of boy groups but I'm such a simp for dreampop aaah. ONF is what every boy group atm should be.
SVT released two albums this year, and both of them are so good so I felt like I should just exclude them from the albums list However this is easily one of the best songs of the year, and I still stand by the fact that it should've been the title track. Words cannot explain how much I love them omg, they NEVER fail to deliver.
Baekhyun - Cry For Love
That's my MAN. Ever since his solo debut with City Lights, I've been keeping a close eye on him as he always delivers great music. His Japanese album was literally 10/10. His fantastic voice adds to the greatness of his songs too. Cry For Love is definitely not an exception. he definitely fits this type of sound the best.
BTS/Coldplay - My Universe
IDK if this counts as KPOP but it's such a great song. I didn't quite like Butter and PTD but ever since they released this they've gotten back on track imo. The instrumental is GODLY. The outro is GODLY. Everything is just... *chefs kiss*.
LOONA - Hula Hoop
idc if this isn't KPOP I'm including it anyway. LOOOOOOOONAAAAAAAAA. I hope next year they can deliver since I wasn't a big fan of PTT or the bsides, but just like 'Star/Voice', Hula Hoop is a return to form.
Brave Girls - Pool Party
Ha. I was obsessed with Rollin' this year, if it was a 2021 song it'd for sure be on here. But for now I'm putting this year. For sure needed to be the title track instead of CMBR.
Ooooh, defintely my #1 song of 2021. Yet another song I hated at first.....but I switched and started re-re-replaying over and over. CRACK, I tell you. No wonder it's so big.
Honorable Mentions:
Beautiful Beautiful(ONF), D-D-DANCE(IZ*ONE), Gone and OTG(Rose), WE GO(fromis_9), TAIL(Sunmi), Frost(TXT), Lovemonth(YUKIKA)
Hope you liked it!
The way most of these are from more popular groups nnn