Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
September was a good, good month for b-sides. A couple of my choices for this playlist have become some of my favourite songs ever from the groups mentioned — even though I’m always excited for groups to release new music, it takes a lot to dethrone a favourite song for me once I’ve found it.
Anyway, let’s go!
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Purple Kiss – “Cast Pearls Before Swine”
They’re just … the best. I like them so much. A bop and a half, which I’ve had on repeat.
Editor’s Note: Look what you fucking did! This is your fault, Hels!
Lee Eun Sang Feat. Yodayoung – “Undo”
What do I always say about Brand New Boys? They never disappoint me.
Young K Feat. Dvwn – “Microphone”
Absolutely gorgeous, a sweet melancholy helped along by Dvwn’s golden vocals.
StayC – “Complex”
I have a StayC sticker on my phone, so I think that means I’m officially a fan? Nobody is shocked; they haven’t released anything yet that I haven’t enjoyed.
Baek A Yeon – “The War On Loneliness”
This song sounds a lot like it was meant as part of an OST for an Autumn-themed drama, and I don’t mean that in a bad way at all.
Megamax – “On Your Way”
It’s almost time for the overdramatic boy group bop alarm, but this track is just a regular amount of drama for a boy group bop. A good rookie effort, and looking forward to seeing what they do next, as always.
HyunA & Dawn – “I Know”
I get why they chose “Ping Pong” as the track to promote, but god I wish they’d chosen this one instead because: 1) I like it better and 2) It’s way, way less abrasive.
Lee Hi Feat. Wonstein – “H.S.K.T”
The r&b vibes are impeccable.
Baek Yerin – “Antifreeze”
I just enjoy everything Yerin does at this point, and I can never think of anything else to say because what she does it so exactly my style. Please listen to the whole album.
ATEEZ – “Feeling Like I Do”
I fell for Ateez sometime last year and truly never looked back. I love the dreamscape effect of this song.
NCT 127 – “Breakfast”
NCT 127 are giving us all fantastic house vibes again, which I’m always a fan of. It was hard for me to pick between this track and “Lemonade” for my favourite b-side on their latest mini, but I figured this one might have slipped by with less attention than it deserved.
Yang Yoseob – “Chuck”
Yoseob’s gorgeous voice has been sorely missing from the K-pop scene — I dare anyone to argue with me about it.
ITZY – “Swipe”
Congrats to this song for winning the prize for “my personal favourite Itzy song” — it’s so cool. They’re so cool.
Key – “Helium”
Ooooh, that silky falsetto at the beginning is SO good.
Ciipher – “That’s Okay”
Ciipher! You’ve done it! I really like this song! I’m so pleased.
Mamamoo – “Happier Than Ever”
I really enjoy low-key Mamamoo; I think it gives all their voices space to show off without straining or doing too much.
AB6IX – “Level Up”
All of AB6IX’s last few releases have been perfect for me, and I can happily add everything on this latest one to that list.
VICTON’s Hanse Feat. Kid Wine & Yongyong – “Scent”
Victon’s Hanse finally released some work of his own, and this track is the perfect mascot for the rest of the mini — it’s smooth as hell, and you all know I’m a sucker for that.
E’Last – “Muse”
I love the dark vibes of this track, and I love how consistent it feels all the way through. A lot of boy group tracks tend to go for seven different styles instead of sticking with one, and this not happening for E’Last on this song shows a maturation of their sound that I’m very grateful for.
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And that’s it!
As always, let me know which b-sides were your favourites during the month of September, and I’ll see you all for my top October picks.
Happy listening!
