K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.”
Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature.
In this feature, I’ll be putting on my A&R hat and taking a listen to five randomly-selected K-pop b-sides. I’ll write a mini review for each, including a Bias List rating, and rank them from least to most favorite. The winner will join a special Bias List B-side playlist. Think of it like my own little agency, hand-selecting songs I’d like to pitch to my nonexistent artists!
You can check out all rounds of my Battle of the B-sides here!
Battle of the B-sides: Round Sixty-Four
Super Junior – Reset (2009)
K-pop tends to mirror trends happening elsewhere in the world, so it’s interesting to go back in time and hear a song like Reset that strongly recalls the late-2000’s R&B sound that was popular on the radio during this period. Reset isn’t a particularly notable or memorable example of this style, but its simple beat and smooth vocals act as an instant shot of nostalgia. The chorus is pretty addictive.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
7
Bias
8
RATING
7.75
PSY – Fact (ft. G-Dragon) (2017)
PSY and G-Dragon have a few songs together, with 2012’s excellent Blue Frog standing as an instant classic. On the other hand, Fact is not designed to please casual pop fans. It’s much more hard-hitting, sparsely produced and hook averse. This is the sound of two A-list rappers trading blows over a confrontational beat. Their charisma is undeniable, but I have to be in a certain mood to seek a song like this out.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
7
RATING
7.5
VAV – Into You (2020)
K-pop’s tropical phase really took over the industry for a year or two, and this is the sound of that era running on fumes. From its thumping beat to its summery synth squiggles, Into You ticks all the expected boxes. Unfortunately, we’ve also got an awful second verse breakdown and many inane English lyrics that make this track feel a bit amateurish. It almost has an uncanny valley, AI quality in places. This is definitely not one of the group’s stronger offerings.
Hooks
7
Production
7
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7
Ailee – Live Or Die (ft. Tak) (2016)
Ailee can toss off these mid-tempo R&B tracks in her sleep and usually imbues them with powerful vocals that improve an otherwise sleepy song. Baechigi’s Tak provides a guest rap that works well to counter Ailee’s more acrobatic performance. But apart from the artists themselves, the song doesn’t do all that much for me. It’s pleasant and builds to some nice peaks in the chorus, but this isn’t the sound I love most from her.
Hooks
8
Production
7
Longevity
8
Bias
7
RATING
7.5
B1A4 – Call Me (2017)
For those just getting into K-pop, B1A4’s catalog is one of the strongest bodies of work you could explore. Even their more reserved material like Call Me stands far above many other artists’ discographies. Call Me is a weird little song, framed by an insistent tropical sample that gives way to a clipped chorus that zigs when you expect it to zag. The vocals here are quite adventurous, reminding me of Prince at times. I can’t say this is one of my favorite B1A4 b-sides, but even so it’s an easy winner in this battle.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
9
Bias
8
RATING
8.25
My Verdict:
Fifth: VAV – Into You
Fourth: PSY – Fact (ft. G-Dragon)
Third: Ailee – Live Or Die (ft. Tak)
Second: Super Junior – Reset
First: B1A4 – Call Me
Congratulations to B1A4’s Call Me – the sixty-fourth winner of my Battle of the B-sides!
Readers, what do you think? Did you discover any hidden gems? Leave your own ranking in the comments!