Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.

When SF9 secured the path to their eventual debut on FNC Entertainment’s Dance Or Band reality show, I was excited that the agency would be giving us their first male dance idol group. Maybe that’s why I found the trendy hip-hop trappings of their debut so disappointing. Luckily, with new single Roar they’ve already started to trend more towards straight-up dance. And that pattern continues with many of the tracks on their mini album.

Burning Sensation (they should really get that checked by a doctor…) is a solid collection of songs, but its best moment comes at the very end, as the deliriously energetic Jungle Game seizes full spotlight. The track follows in the footsteps of similar jungle-themed k-pop releases throughout the years (Tarzan and Rilla Go come to mind), but ups the ante with an aggressively throbbing electro beat that carries the song with unflappable power. The song’s central hook is more a chant than an actual chorus, but fits the general theme and breakneck production style perfectly. Best of all, I can imagine the high intensity choreography that could be paired with a beat this unyielding. It’s the type of sound that SF9 should really capitalize on to set themselves apart from all the other rookie boy groups flooding the market at the moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgDUMRKJ968