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.

Vanner’s Veni Vidi Vici is the latest in a string of fantastic boy group mini albums this month. You could play the new albums from NINE.i, TAN, The Boyz and Vanner back to back without having to skip a single track. That consistency is very refreshing, and makes it hard to pick a buried treasure! I love the old-school K-pop sound of Want U Back and had to look back to see if I’d written about 2020 single Form (I didn’t) because the album’s updated version is so much fun.

However, my favorite b-side has to be the funky stomper TBH. It’s got great tactile force in its beat, confident from the get-go. And rather than strip things back from there, the track bursts into a pinwheel of a chorus that enlists sparkling synths and a two-pronged melody to craft an easy highlight. TBH isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it keeps its foot firmly on gas. The hooks are fun to sing along with — simple, memorable and delivered with a joyful energy. There’s a real flair to the performance.

Grade: B+