It’s time to countdown my top 50 singles of 2019! 10 songs, everyday, for the next 5 days. The rules for the countdown are as follows:
- Song must be released between 1st January 2019 and 31st of December 2019.
- Song must have an accompanying music video and be promoted as a single, regardless of whether another song on the album is also promoted (double title tracks)
- No Japanese (sorry Pentagon’s “Cosmo”) or Chinese (sorry WayV) singles eligible for the list
And without further ado lets get into the numbers
50. UP10TION – Your Gravity
Backed by one of the years most exciting and powerful instrumentals, Your Gravity doesn’t find that one knockout hook to send it soaring, instead powers forward thanks to its excellent production and tightly constructed verses.
49. NCT DREAM – BOOM
A more mature take on the Dream concept, Boom exceeded all expectations with it’s addictive percussion assisted instrumental and the addictive staccato and vocal layering of its chorus.
48. Yunho (U-Know) – Follow
Although not the world shattering hit you would expect from a collaboration between legendary producers Thomas Troelsen and Yoo Young Jin (their last being EXO’s legendary History), Follow still adhered to many of SM entertainments best musical hallmarks. Fusing a militaristic techno beat with U-Know’s always effortless vocals, Follow proved that legends really never die.
47. THE BOYZ – D.D.D
Although I thought Bloom Bloom was a disappointing followup to the likes of Right Here and especially Giddy Up, D.D.D reaffirmed my faith in THE BOYZ big time. Although the trap influenced pre-chorus leaves something to be desired, there is no denying the strength of that absolute sugar rush of a chorus and equally exhilarating dance break.
46. Key (SHINee) feat. Soyeon – I Wanna Be
One of the years most endearing singles, I Wanna Be‘s potent melody invokes a sense of nostalgia sorely missed in this current musical landscape. Soyeon’s rap verse works wonders in the context of the track, but its Key’s smooth vocal performance that really transforms the track into one of the years most comforting singles.
45. Pink Fantasy – Fantasy
Taking equal influence from J-rock and K-pop girl group Dreamcatcher, Fantasy provided a killer track for underrated girl group Pink Fantasy. Fusing symphonic strings, crunchy rock guitar and an absolutely soaring chorus, Fantasy managed to one up many of the songs that it took clear inspiration from.
44. Dreamcatcher – Deja Vu
From Dreamcatcher influenced, to Dreamcatcher themselves; Deja vu was the better of the groups 2019 singles. Although the opening minute gave me hopes of a girl group version of Infinite’s classic Back, Deja Vu is a completely different beast all together, transitioning expertly between the symphonic balladry of its verses and the blistering rock of it’s chorus. The guitar riff before the final chorus is absolutely killer.
43. Huta (Lee Minhyuk of BTOB) – Tonight (With Melody)
One of the years most joyful tracks, Tonight powers forward with the kind of joyous production we rarely see nowadays. Complete with a healthy dose of funk guitar and a chill inducing choir of voices at the songs climax, it acted as the perfect sendoff for a member of one of Koreas most beloved idol groups.
42. CIX – Movie Star
The smooth EXO esque groove of CIX’s Movie Star, although not completely original, provided insane replay-ability thanks to it’s addictive chorus and utterly satisfying outro. Even the terrible rap break halfway through isn’t enough to derail the songs unshakeable groove.
41. ASTRO – All Night
Although not the sound I was expecting from Astro, All Night proved to be an absolute treat, providing a convincing blend of trap and retro synths to form an extremely memorable transformation for one of K-pops most exciting groups. It’s wistful chorus is delightful and especially potent as the song absolutely explodes at its climax.
KBopped 