This week’s rotation has no real theme, it’s just random songs that came up when I put my iTunes on shuffle. Sorry, I promise the next rotation will be better - I’m thinking of either an artist feature, since I haven’t done one in a while, or a summer theme. Please remember to comment or leave a rating. =)
1. Monochrome - kannivalism
Japanese | Rock
I love this band, and I’m really sad that they seem to have disbanded. Monochrome is a mid-tempo track with clear, refreshing vocals and a great guitar accompaniment. I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favourites by them, but a pleasing listen none-the-less.
2. Free Music - PDIS ft. Brown Eyed Girls
Korean | Hip-Pop
PDIS is a collaboration between Cho PD and Yoon Il Sang. They released a album a while back that I just recently discovered on my computer. Most of the songs are energetic and upbeat, so it’s perfect for the summer. I hesitate to call them pure hip-hop since most of their songs have at least one other genre incorporated. Free Music, for example, alternates between hopeful, gospel-style verses with rich harmonies and poppy rap verses sprinkled with melodic lines from the Brown Eyed Girls. Personally, I think the hook (“It’s free, free music”) could have been incorporated more - there’s a rather long portion where it’s just rapping that gets quite tedious, especially with the repetitive backdrop.
3. Pride - PDIS ft. Tiger JK and May Doni
Korean | Hip-Pop
Pride is a rock-influenced number, aggressive and gritty. It definitely fits its title. May Doni’s powerful, slightly rough voice suits the song perfectly.
4. Hanttae (Acoustic version) - Ye In ft. Noblesse
Korean | Acoustic Pop
A lovely acoustic guitar song, laid-back and breezy. It’s a relaxing but heartfelt track. Ye In’s airy, feminine voice compliments Noblesse’s rapping well.
5. Flea - Clazziquai Project
Korean/English | Electronica
I love this song. It’s a bit strange, what with all the synths and soft, minimal vocals, but overall it’s an extremely atmospheric and unique song. I love the bass and rhythm. I love the hook - “This flea is you and I, it’s a bad thing, but a little thing, but a little thing. A parasite that coexist, it’s a bad thing, but a little thing, but a little thing.” It’s extremely catchy.
6. 내 여자친구에게 (To my Girlfriend) - I the Tri top’s
Korean | Pop Ballad
This song samples Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”, which is a gorgeous song but so overplayed and overused, especially in K-pop. This sampling turned me off at first, but then I realized it’s only used sparsely - in the intro, in a short instrumental bridge, and in the background of just one of other verses near the end of the song leading into the outro. “To my Girlfriend” is a poppy, mid-tempo ballad with warm, sweet vocals and a general feel-good atmosphere. It’s not particularly unique, but it’s worth a listen.
7. Good Times - Crystal Kay
Japanese | Pop
I quite like Crystal Kay, especially her upbeat songs. An energetic track with a great beat that Crystal Kay’s pure, strong voice playfully leads. It’s a fun, poppy, light-hearted, summery song.
8. Rain Song - Furukawa Miki
Japanese | Ballad
I’m always for supporting indie artists, but I have to say I’m not a huge fan of Furukawa Miki. Rain Song is a slightly strange guitar and string-based ballad that definitely has a unique flavour. Miki’s voice sounds slightly muffled and at times faraway. But a lot of people really like her, so I guess it’s a personal opinion.
9. Marry Me Today - Jolin Tsai & David Tao
Mandarin | Pop
This song is hugely popular, but I’ve never liked it. The intro sounds outdated and the strings a little too screechy. The opening verses are all right- sweet and poppy, although I don’t really feel any connection between the two singers. The “rap” verse is also kind of ridiculous. They just go back and forth saying “D.T. in the house/Jo-lin in the house”, finishing with “Our love in the house”. It’s also quite repetitive.
10.말을 못하죠 - Rick
Korean | R&B
A smooth, poppy R&B track. It’s relaxing, down tempo and fairly generic - a pleasant listen, but nothing special.
11. Brokenhearted -Yi
Mandarin | Electronica/Pop
A synthy dark pop song. I absolutely love the bass, and the soft, delicate vocals suit the atmosphere of the song perfectly.
12. Insomnia - Wheesung
Korean | R&B
This is a cover of a Craig David song by the same name. I love it - slick, addictive melodies, meltingly smooth vocals. It stays quite close to the original, so I can’t decide which version I like more.
13. Shine - TVXQ
Japanese | Pop
I’m pretty sure everyone already has it (and the quality isn’t too great either, I think this was a rip from when the single just came out), but anyways - a cute, poppy song from Tohoshinki. It’s just pure, sugary boyband pop, but of course, extremely well-executed, with lovely harmonies and a great accompaniment that’s consistent without being repetitive.
14. Hot Ddeu Guh - 1TYM
Korean | Hip Hop
An aggressive, American-influenced song from 1TYM. I’m not much for the rapped verses, but the hook is addictive. Its repetitiveness is really what works for it.
Labels: 1TYM, Clazziquai, Crystal Kay, David Tao, Furukawa Miki, I the Tri top's, Jolin Tsai, kannivalism, Noblesse, PDIS, Rick, Tohoshinki, Wheesung, Ye In, Yi
