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.

With a title like Six Feet Under, this may be the most “buried” of all the buried treasures I’ve featured so far! Seriously, though, one of the things I love so much about VIXX is that they are really an albums artist. Their title tracks are almost always spectacular, but they really blow the budget on their b-sides as well. Six Feet Under is one of only three songs on their Zelos single album, but it could have easily served as their new title track.

The song brings back the bombastic dance pop production style of some of their best 2013 work, with sledgehammer synths, funky rhythm guitar and a dramatic, dynamic brew of aggressive instrumentation. The structure crashes in waves, culminating in the rapid staccato delivery of the chorus. Like Dynamite, the melody here isn’t nearly as straightforward as it could have been. Instead, it twists and pulses and seems entirely alive with energy. I’ve had some personal issues with Ravi’s rap style in the past, but his theatrically delivered verse in Six Feet Under is perfectly calibrated. This is the balls-to-the-wall style of kpop I first fell in love with, and I’m so happy to see VIXX continue to deliver on the high standards they’ve set for themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6fRl2hcFkw