After germs, mid-terms, and some scheduling restructuring, we’re back!
Here are 5 songs released in the last 2 weeks. Sometimes they’re new artists, sometimes they’re seasoned artists. If you see a recent release missing that you would like my feedback on, feel free to comment and it might find its way into a future post or video.
An important note: I am studying music production and often talk about the production of songs. I also mention other songs or artists that come to mind. This isn’t to compare talent, but to provide a reference point to what I’m hearing or describing. I will often critique, but please don’t confuse this with being negative. If I honestly dislike something, it won’t be featured on the site because I’m not in the business of being mean.
As always, the tracks are in chronological order by release date (of the video). So as to not look like there is a favorite. ^^
T.K.D by Tiger JK & TAEKWONCRE
This week has a lot of Tiger JK. Sorry not sorry. To start us off, him collabing with TAEKWONCRE feels like an inevitably given his background. And you absolutely need to watch the artistry and power in the video. But Tiger JK’s hip-hop always hits in the best way. His flow and his rhythm are on point. And I think it was perfect to have traditional Korean instruments in this to coincide with the Taekwondo. Such a badass collab. Been listening to it on repeat all day.
VOoDOo BOogie by 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, Tiger JK, & Yoon Mirae
Now we love and appreciate Tiger JK around here, obviously. But Yoon Mirae is queen of K-HipHop for a reason. You can hear her roots and her history in her flow and vocal flavor. And this whole track reminds me of car rides as a kid, parents blasting Hip-Hop as we drive through San Francisco. My inner child was so happy and free listening to this song, so I couldn’t leave it off the list this week. Check out the whole 1999 Write The Future project because 88Rising grabbed greats from around the globe to really bring the vibe.
(TW: quick moving/spinning camera)
TOUCHIN&MOVIN by Moon Byul
And now we’re taking it even further back in time with this Disco vibe track by Moon Byul! All those brass instruments and the funky beat make this impossible to sit still while listening. Definitely movin’! But her vocals slide into an R&B vibe at times. Her singing voice is both bright and smooth at the same time here. Such a fun song, it has moments that remind me of Kool by Forestella, and you know how much I enjoyed that one. On the playlist it goes!
Sugar Rush by BIBI
I’ve been into a lot of Hyper Pop and Glitch Pop lately, so this release was perfectly timed. It’s like Hyper Pop and Hip Hop had a baby. BIBI has been leaning into that whisper talk vocal lately and it really works for her. The repetition in the production works so well because of the way she alternates between the rap vibe, to singing, to the whisper style. But I can’t get enough of these lyrics. I appreciate that no matter the language, BIBI’s lyrics are delivering a very specific message. The fact that she sticks by this decision is extremely refreshing. It went on the playlist before it was done playing.
Mad by eaJ
These. Lyrics. This is one of those songs that feel like they were taken right out of my head. But the guitar sounds after “I can’t help that I’m still mad” are brilliant to punctuate that feeling. It’s loud and chaotic and jarring, like anger that you want to go away. And his slick transition from moody singing vocals to a more HipHop style flow, just to slide into that falsetto, perfection. This track is a whole mood and you know it’s on a playlist already because it’s too good not to. “I’m still mad that you made me feel less than.” I feel you, man. 10/10
Thank you for joining me! And I hope you leave a little lighter than when you arrived. ^^
