A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.

The second half of summer has been characterized by rookie and underrated boy group releases, filling my playlist with so much great music. TAN are part of this wave, delivering their strongest title track and album yet. I’m really into the rock-meets-anime-theme New Days and the seesawing synths of Tarzan, but Violet stands as the group’s best b-side.

On the surface, this could have easily become one of those threadbare, bass-driven funk tracks with an anti-drop chorus. We’ve heard so many songs like this lately, but Violet bolsters the template with a fleshed-out instrumental and dynamic vocal performance. Seriously, TAN don’t get enough attention for their vocal line.

Guitar adds nice texture to the verses, and well-placed groans and moans are both effective and humorous during the chorus. More than anything, I’m heartened by how big Violet sounds. In an industry where “subdued” seems to be trending, TAN are unafraid to craft a showstopper with plenty of bite and character.

Grade: A-