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 Fifty-Eight
Billlie – My B = The Birth Of Emotion (2022)
Billlie are well known for their creative b-sides. I don’t think I’ve ever featured one as a buried treasure before, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been listening. My B is an offbeat funk track, driven by rugged, ever-changing synths and shots of vocal layering. The production is cooler than the song itself, but over all I really like this.
Hooks | 8 |
Production | 9 |
Longevity | 8 |
Bias | 8 |
RATING | 8.25 |
NCT 127 – Love Song (2020)
NCT have a ton of b-sides that feel indebted to 90’s R&B. It’s a good venue to showcase their vocals, and Love Song spotlights both harmony and nimble vocal runs. If nothing else, it’s a very satisfying vibe – definitely nowhere near title track material, but nice late-album material that’s performed well.
Hooks | 7 |
Production | 8 |
Longevity | 8 |
Bias | 8 |
RATING | 7.75 |
IZ – Superstition (2020)
Sometimes I forget there was a brief, Sweetune-penned K-rock idol group. Maybe that’s because songs like Superstition don’t sound much like the Sweetune I know and love. You can hear their influence in pieces of the melody, but mostly this reminds me of 90’s Britpop. IZ sell the vibe well, though a beefier instrumental might have elevated this track.
Hooks | 8 |
Production | 8 |
Longevity | 8 |
Bias | 8 |
RATING | 8 |
JUS2 – Take (2019)
It’s not often we get an OST track as part of this feature! OSTs are often straight-up ballads, but Take has a surging energy that’s quite satisfying. I love the synths and percussion in the chorus. The whole track has a sentimental feeling that registers well through JUS2’s performance. It’s not the sound I’d expect from the duo, but that’s part of the charm.
Hooks | 8 |
Production | 8 |
Longevity | 9 |
Bias | 8 |
RATING | 8.25 |
Everglow – Moon (2019)
Everglow often have great b-sides, even when I’m not as excited about their title tracks. Moon’s atmospheric electronics remind me of something we might hear from WJSN, though they’re toned down more than I’d like. The track wafts along on vibe rather than instantly memorable melodies, but its energy is satisfying and it builds to a nice climax.
Hooks | 8 |
Production | 8 |
Longevity | 8 |
Bias | 7 |
RATING | 7.75 |
My Verdict:
Fifth: NCT 127 – Love Song
Fourth: Everglow – Moon
Third: IZ – Superstition
Second: JUS2 – Take
First: Billlie – My B = The Birth Of Emotion
Congratulations to Billlie’s My B = The Birth Of Emotion – the fifty-eighth 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!
The Jus2 track is my favorite. I also completely forgot about IZ. Even if I enjoyed their songs, I really can’t remember any of them too well off the top of my head.
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