On Loop with Lauren

     As I said at the end of the last post, this was the hardest list for me to make. There were nearly 40 songs I wanted to put on this list, even with the 1 song per artist rule. So, there were quite a few songs I loved that didn't make it, unfortunately. That also means it was extremely difficult to order these songs, even without set rankings. Basically, I love all the songs on this list, so the order of this list is pretty changeable depending on my mood. ---------------------------------------- Rules 1 song per artist per list No set rankings (order is generally good to best) ---------------------------------------- " 기괴한 이야 Bizarre Story: The Game" - PinkFantasy             Official dance video (English subs available)             Music show performance      Not sure if anyone recalls my 2021 top 20 lists, but I placed PinkFantasy's "Poison" at the top of my title tracks list. They just missed my title tracks list this year, but I wanted to make sure

Rules 1 song per artist per list No set rankings (order is generally good to best) ---------------------------------------- "Zinnia" - 9001 co-composed by Jogon (vocalist, guitarist), Kim Junhyeop (former guitarist) written by Jogon             Music video             Live studio performance      I just discovered this band last year thanks to this single. "Zinnia" was originally created prior to 2022, but it had an official studio album release in 2022, so I don't count this as cheating. I was obsessed with this single for a number of months, and it was one of my most listened to songs on Spotify last year.      Zinnias , which are featured on the album cover, are a type of flower that symbolize steadfastness and lasting affection. The narrator of the song uses them as a symbol of their love for another person, however, the other person does not accept the flowers. The lyrics are well written and are both beautiful and melancholy.      As for the song itself, I

  Rules 1 song per artist per list No set rankings (order is generally good to best) ---------------------------------------- "Sparkling" - CHUNG HA co-written by CHUNG HA             Music video (English subs available)             Music show performance (the graphic liner though?! 😍)      Chungha is back for the singles list, as are 3 other artists! "Sparkling" is catchy, upbeat synth pop goodness. When I first heard this single, I didn't think it stood out much, but after watching her perform it a few times, it really grew on me.      I really like the guitar, bass line, and percussion on this track, which complement the synths really nicely. I think "Sparkling" is a nice addition to the "new-tro" (new+retro) k-pop trend with its mix of modern and 80s inspired synths/percussion. Chungha’s vocals are also great (as always) on this single.      The choreo is also entertaining, and its definitely this song's performance that helped win m

Rules 1 song per artist per list No set rankings (order is generally good to best)  ---------------------------------------- "Gasoline" - KEY co-written by Key             Music Video (English subs available)                   Live performance from SMTOWN LIVE 2023 (English subs available)          I realized there haven't been many hype songs on my lists so far, so I decided to add "Gasoline" last minute. Originally, I had Max Changmin's "Devil" on here, but since I talked about him a lot on my b-sides list, I decided to remove it. Not to mention, there were a number of great b-sides on Key's Gasoline album, and he JUST missed my top 20 b-sides list, so the least I could do was put him on this list.     The single opens with a triumphant brass sample, and it also anchors the entire song. The sample immediately sets the tone, and it reminds me a bit of "Gonna fly now", the theme song from the first Rocky film. "Gasoline" i

Rules 1 song per artist per list No set rankings (order is generally good to best)  ---------------------------------------- "Your World" - Kim Hye Rim             Music Video             Live performance (acoustic version)      Kim Hyerim was in two k-pop groups in the past, but both groups disbanded, sadly. She was also on two competition shows, but didn't win (she was one of the runner ups on K-pop Star 6 though!) She debuted as a soloist in 2022, and I enjoyed this single off her debut EP!      "Your World" is a pop rock track, co-written by Hyerim, that highlights Hyerim's vocal tone. The verses are quite simple, with a pretty guitar riff and her vocals, then the full band sound comes in during the chorus. Listening to the verses, you wouldn't think she has much power, but her vocals really soar in the chorus to match the intensity of the instrumental!      The first video is the mv, so you can hear the studio version. The second video is a live p