Rules
- 1 song per artist per list
- No set rankings (order is generally good to best)
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"Swan Song" - PIXY
Well, there are 3 groups in this part that were on my 2021 top 20 lists, and PIXY should be the least surprising, considering they were on both my title tracks and b-sides lists. I'm so happy PIXY didn't lose the momentum they built up as rookies in 2021, though they're still very underrated. I was caught between 2 PIXY b-sides, but I had to choose "Swan Song" because they finally took on the rock trend and executed it well in their own style!
PIXY continued their dark electronic sound in 2022, but with a more sophisticated and mature edge. This sound was combined with some fantastic electric guitar riffs to create an addicting and powerful song. The vocals are great throughout, and I love the rap part in the second verse! I was particularly impressed with Sua and Dajeong's vocals on this song.
Sadly, there were a lot of changes in PIXY last year. Ella, their former main vocalist and leader, did not participate in this album. She then officially left the group shortly after this mini album released. This was also the last album that Satbyeol, their former lead rapper, participated in before leaving the group as well. I do love all the members — including new member, Rinji — but I still miss Ella's stunning vocals and strong charisma/stage presence and Satbyeol's unique rap tone. Sua and Dajeong are getting to shine more without Ella, and Rinji's rap tone is somewhat similar to Satbyeol's (and arguably Rinji is a stronger dancer), so it's not all bad. I really hope they thrive with their current lineup!
"Swan Song" English translation
Other nominee(s): "Deja vu"
"My Satisfaction" - IVE
After barely making it onto my top 20 title tracks list last year with "ELEVEN", I was a bit surprised IVE made it onto a list this year. I was one of the few that didn't really connect with their first comeback, "LOVE DIVE" — though I understand why many others like it so much — and I really enjoyed "After LIKE", but it will not be on my title tracks list. However, this b-side is truly outstanding and is one of their best songs yet!
The powerful, confident, and somewhat sultry vibes on "My Satisfaction" are instantly captivating. I love how the song starts off with Wonyoung and Leeseo singing in their lower vocal registers. I feel like the lower register isn't utilized enough in girl group songs which is a shame, because I love contrast and how it leads to each part standing out more. I also love the gritty synth in the middle of the chorus that almost sounds like super distorted electric guitar. The bridge and outro are also full of fantastic vocals. I see a lot of haters saying that IVE isn't a strong vocal group, and I think this b-side proves them wrong. It's a real shame that this song only had one performance video (not live), which I have linked here.
"My Satisfaction" English translation
"Wildfire" - MONSTA X
- co-composed by Hyungwon
- co-written by Hyungwon, Joohoney, I.M
Hyungwon's solo version of "Wildfire" (fan recording)
As I said in my commentary for Kihyun's "COMMA", 2022 was the year I finally got into MONSTA X. Ever since Kihyun's solo debut, he and MONSTA X have not missed. I was so shocked that I liked almost every song off the SHAPE OF LOVE mini album. Once again, there were 2 b-sides that I loved equally, but I chose "Wildfire" because I think it's a bit more immersive.
This b-side is a vibe-y alternative hip-hop track. I really like the vocals, especially Kihyun and Minhyuk's in the chorus and the bridge. I also love the post-chorus instrumental break; I get so lost in the ambiance every time I hear it. The bridge instrumental features what sounds like electric guitar, but it might be synth meant to mimic guitar. Either way, I like how it sounds, and it fits the atmosphere of "Wildfire" perfectly.
This song is almost entirely in English except for the 2nd verse rap, which funnily enough is the only part I dislike. Not that I think it's bad, it's just not my style of rap. "Wildfire" was never officially performed, but Hyungwon performed it as a solo song while MONSTA X was on tour. He actually wrote his own parts for the verses in this version, and there's choreo as well! I like both versions, so I linked the studio version and the solo version.
"Wildfire" English translation
Other nominee(s): "Burning Up (feat. R3HAB)"
"Don't Go Back" - JUST B
Official dance video
Lyric video (English translation, the only translations of this song are videos)
JUST B topped my b-sides list last year, and "Get Away" is definitely still their best song by far. However, JUST B did release a few great songs in 2022! "Don't Go Back" fuses alternative rock and hip-hop seamlessly and features some great vocals and rap. I love that the intro and the first verse are relatively calm, before the energy starts building in the pre-chorus. The guitar really takes off in the chorus, which energizes the song and contrasts nicely with the verse instrumental. And I love the vocals and vocal melodies in the chorus.
Somehow, I once again just found out this song has choreo. They must've made it for their concert, because they never performed this when they were actively promoting this album. Anyways, the choreo is pretty good, especially during the choruses. Each chorus has a few different moves/formations, which I think is cool! Just like with "Get Away", I really wish they had promoted this song, and I think it could have worked as a title track too!
Other nominee(s): "Lights On", "Night Stroll"
"Break Down" - KARD
- co-composed by BM
- co-written by BM, J.seph, Somin, Jiwoo
Live concert performance
Jiwoo live solo performance
English translation (the only good translations were videos)
KARD took a group hiatus in 2021 while member J.seph completed his military enlistment. The other 3 members, especially Jiwoo and BM, stayed busy during this time, but the k-pop industry definitely felt a little emptier without its only co-ed group. KARD finally returned stronger than ever with a mini album in the summer of 2022 (they also renewed their contracts!). The entire album is great, and I had a hard time deciding between "Whip!" and "Break Down". I decided to choose "Break Down" because I love the different textures and all the members wrote lyrics for it, but "Whip!" has some fantastic harmonies!
Jiwoo opens "Break Down" with her gorgeous lower register, and Somin follows suit. Jiwoo really worked on her vocals during the hiatus, and you can hear her increased confidence and skills throughout this album. The first part of the song is all Jiwoo and Somin, and the guys take the middle section, where J.seph's self-written takes center stage. The bridge and final chorus are awesome as well, with BM, Somin, and Jiwoo all singing together. I wish the song wasn't so short, and I think the easiest way to fix it would have been to make BM's rap part in the bridge a little longer.
They didn't promote this song, sadly, but they did perform it on tour, so I'm linking a relatively high quality fan recording here. Jiwoo also performed this song on her own for a live video, and she sounded great in it, so I'm linking that as well.
Other nominee(s): "Whip!"
Jiwoo opens "Break Down" with her gorgeous lower register, and Somin follows suit. Jiwoo really worked on her vocals during the hiatus, and you can hear her increased confidence and skills throughout this album. The first part of the song is all Jiwoo and Somin, and the guys take the middle section, where J.seph's self-written takes center stage. The bridge and final chorus are awesome as well, with BM, Somin, and Jiwoo all singing together. I wish the song wasn't so short, and I think the easiest way to fix it would have been to make BM's rap part in the bridge a little longer.
They didn't promote this song, sadly, but they did perform it on tour, so I'm linking a relatively high quality fan recording here. Jiwoo also performed this song on her own for a live video, and she sounded great in it, so I'm linking that as well.
Other nominee(s): "Whip!"
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