Gone are the chilly, snowy days of January. Even though it seemed like the month rushed by, we did get to experience some good music during one of the slowest period of the year. Letâs take a look at ten of Januaryâs gems.
- Stellar âStingâ
Stellar has been on a rocky road with fans since âMarionetteâ given what many deemed an inappropriately sexy concept. With âSting,â they once again return with a sexy concept, but itâs toned down to enhance the attention on the song. âStingâ has some light retro theming with a strong chorus, but itâs not as strong as their sexier concept songs. While itâs good, itâs clear Stellar struggles to find their identity.
- Cross Gene âNoona, Youâ
Cross Gene fans always believed they could become a more popular group if given a chance. The catchy, addictive âNoona, Youâ garnered plenty of attention and love from even international fans. The song shows a more fun side to Cross Gene that resonated with many during the doldrums of winter. Hopefully itâs a sign of more fun to come.
- Lucky J âNo Loveâ
The instrumentals make âNo Loveâ memorable as theyâre a strong mix of traditional and modern. J-Yo sounds fantastic as he carries the song to new heights. Jessi, who is a much better vocalist than a rapper, shined during the chorus with her unique voice. Lucky J needs to not wait so long between comebacks.
- TEENTOP âWarning Signâ
When âWarning Signâ starts, it almost sounds like it should have belonged to SHINee because there are hints of Taemin. TEENTOP need to change their name to MANTOP because the innocent image is definitely being shed. âWarning Signâ is a great song for them because it shows a more mature side. Their vocals sound more mature. The concept shift also isnât bad as they step away from repetitive tracks like âSuper Loveâ and âRocking.â
- Jinsil and MC Mong âAftereffectâ
Jinsilâs unusual, haunting vocals will win people over every time. âAftereffectâ is a solid song thatâs made complete by a strong vocal performance. The Jinsilâs vocal distortions add some artistic interest, while MC Mongâs rap portions are subtle and calm. Thereâs a beauty to âAftereffectâ that serves as proof that Jinsil and MC Mong should be a bonded pair for other songs.
- Yezi âCiderâ
Yezi sheds her Fiestar image with her harder-sounding rap track âCider.â Yezi has legit flow layered with the addictive track. The only issue with âCiderâ is that 3:08 isnât quite long enough. The song demands attention and could have easily been longer. If Fiestar disbands, we know Yezi will survive in the industry.
- Suzy (miss A) and Baekhyun (EXO) âDreamâ
Suzy and Baekhyun show off their jazzy sides in âDream,â a song that achieved an all-kill and well over eight million views on YouTube. Soft and melodious, âDreamâ has hints of hope and romance. Both Suzy and Baekhyun have decent vocal chops outside their groups which fans seem to have noticed. The attention the song received is definitely well-earned.
- Zico âIt Was Loveâ ft. Luna (f(x))
Itâs amazing Luna hasnât released a solo album yet because she has the abilities to do so. âIt Was Love,â produced and written by Block Bâs Zico, features Lunaâs delicate, angelic voice. Lunaâs vocals are soothing and heartbreaking in a song that points to Zico being more than an idol rapper, showing he is a multi-threat force.
- GFriend âRoughâ
GFriend finally earned the coveted music show wins with âRough,â and those wins were well-deserved. GFriendâs cute vocals and hardworking attitudes shined in the song. The song is a hybrid of J-Pop and K-Pop elements with a strong early 2000s soul behind it. Listening to it will make a listener feel nostalgic.
- Zico âI Am You, You Are Meâ
Zico did an R&B ballad that turned out amazing. His vocals are surprisingly sweet and romantic, much different from his rap persona. âI Am You, You Are Meâ like âIt Was Loveâ shows that Zico is multi-faceted and should be considered a true artist.
What were your favorite songs for January 2016? Let us know!
—-Joelle Halon
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