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!

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Battle of the B-sides: BIGBANG Edition

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Hands Up (2011)

Sometimes I forget just how many EDM-influenced songs BIGBANG have in their discography. I guess it’s a product of being top-tier famous at the heart of the early-2010’s era. On its face, Hands Up is pretty generic and its production feels a little cheap for an agency with YG’s clout. However, the members’ instantly-memorable tones and charisma transform this into a standout. It’s pretty difficult to resist – especially that catchy chorus.

Hooks	8
Production	8
Longevity	8
Bias	9
RATING	8.25

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Twinkle Twinkle (2008)

Another product of BIGBANG’s early era is the flagrant use of stylistic autotune. Twinkle Twinkle wants to be cooler and harder than it is, ultimately dated by its production. On the plus side, I like the rapping in the verses and the moments where the guys’ vocals aren’t as heavily processed. Still, this is very much b-side material.

Hooks	7
Production	7
Longevity	8
Bias	8
RATING	7.5

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Feeling (2012)

Now we’re talking! I love this entire album, and Feeling is definitely one of the standouts. It catches the group in a more light-hearted mode, dropping catchy asides over a funky electro beat. I love the scuzzier moments of the instrumental. They’re cut from the same cloth as the album’s big hit Fantastic Baby. The melodies have nice range, though they’re a bit generic. Verse two is my favorite segment, moving from a fun G-Dragon rap to stabs of backing vocals and a gradual build that pulls us into the finale with flair.

Hooks	8
Production	9
Longevity	8
Bias	9
RATING	8.5

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Café (2011)

We’ve got something a little more subdued this time. Café is such a cool track that features one of my favorite BIGBANG hallmarks: G-Dragon’s falsetto singing. He and TOP work so well together because  they’re essentially opposites. The contrast between TOP’s deeper, gruff tone and GD’s impish high tone gives the song plenty of dynamics. It’s one of the few “coffeehouse” style K-pop tracks that appeals to me, thanks to its compelling melody and even better performance.

Hooks	9
Production	8
Longevity	9
Bias	8
RATING	8.5

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Stupid Liar (2011)

The group’s 2011 work is getting lots of representation in this feature! I’m glad Stupid Liar popped up on my shuffle, though. It’s always struck me as one of their stronger b-sides – worthy of title track promotions. It borrows many dated production elements of this era but both the melodies and production are strong enough to transcend these limitations. The chorus does a great job balancing hip-hop elements with soaring rock melody and the arrangement moves through many textures and energies. This keeps things interesting all the way through.

Hooks	9
Production	8
Longevity	9
Bias	9
RATING	8.75

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My Verdict:

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Fifth: Twinkle Twinkle
Fourth: Hands Up
Third: Café
Second: Feeling

First: Stupid Liar

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Congratulations to BIGBANG’s Stupid Liar – the fifty-ninth 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!