I think this was the first album I covered on this blog this year, but my god, is it still one of the best. Between "No" being such a landmark era for CLC, and the phenomenal b-sides (one of which you'll see later if you read my b-sides list, just saying), this was a comeback to remember. And while I ultimately think "No" is CLC's weakest title track this year, that doesn't mean this comeback as a whole wasn't great. Because it was! And still is. That full album next year is getting more tantalising by the day, especially if it's going to be as good as No.1. More of this, please, CLC!

SURPRISE! I LISTENED TO A BOY GROUP FOR ONCE!

And guess what? "One to All" is one of the best albums of this year, hands fucking down. To say I've fallen head over heels in love with ATEEZ is putting it incredibly lightly; I have been sleeping on these guys for way too long, and now I am absolutely reveling in how good of a group they really are. "One to All" is just the pinnacle of it all - if you haven't listened to this album yet, GO DO IT NOW. Don't let the seemingly drastic change in title track and concept fool you, this is ATEEZ's best album to date. I can only hope they keep producing music to this quality in the future, because holy fuck I'm in for the ride.

Is this cheating? Maybe. I don't care. Not when you've got a group like Red Velvet, who are damn well known for having some of the best music in K-Pop right now - and "Finale" is no exception to that rule. The Reve Festival series has been one I've thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish, and "Finale" just encompasses everything wonderful about it. The variety in musical styles and genres in this album is something to be marveled at, and really solidifies Red Velvet's place as one of the best acts in the industry.

Even if this album in particular has been marred by events that really shouldn't have happened at all... it's still beautiful and amazingly enjoyable all the same. 

Let's hope we get plenty of OT5 "Pyscho" performances someday. And let's hope that Wendy's recovery is as smooth and easy as possible for her. I know I do. 💙

Ah, "White Wind". Not only are you my favourite MAMAMOO album to date, but you were at my #1 spot on this list for the vast majority of the year. Now, just because it's at my #2 position doesn't mean the album is bad. If you make that assumption, I will actually physically force you to sit and listen to this album, because MAMAMOO didn't come to fuck around. This is, like I said, my favourite album of theirs to date - it's an absolute beauty from start to finish. There isn't a single song here I dislike. Hell, any MAMAMOO album with two Cosmic Sound tracks is a win in my book! "White Wind" is absolutely brilliant, and really makes me so damn proud of the girls themselves. They really have come so far since their debut.

But, in the end, it did get beaten to the #1 spot, even though I was sure of what that #1 would be. And yet, 2019 had a few surprises up its sleeve I wasn't expecting... and the biggest of those surprises was my #1 album this year.

This is, by far, one of the best K-Pop albums I've heard to date. Like, holy shit, TWICE, I knew you guys were changing your concept, but to pull it off in this way? That was NOT something I predicted. I thought they'd gradually lean into a mature, polished sound after the hints of it on "Fancy You", but... no. "Feel Special" goes all in on that sound, it calls it its bitch, and it hangs it above the fireplace like a trophy.

Guys. This album is a fucking masterpiece. Not a single song here is badly produced, or out of place, or even boring. From the moment it starts up, it's a delight to listen to - and to think there's so much variety contained with 6 songs blows my mind. I can't wait to gush about it in a full review.

Bravo, TWICE. Fucking bravo.

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