Well, it's that time of year again! After not posting on this blog for months for reasons I... won't bore you with here, it's finally the end of the road for 2020. And while I will be one of many who will be delighted to see this year getting kicked out the door and lit on fire like it deserves, one thing that 2020 delivered in spades was high-quality music. Seriously, the year-end lists this year are full of songs and albums that would be list-toppers for me any other year; this year, however, they're either lower down on my list or an honourable mention. Putting these lists together was shockingly hard.
There were surprises big and small, but K-Pop itself was putting out some of its best releases in years in 2020, despite the raging dumpster fire of the year it's been. Sure, it was a big year in different ways, but in a year where I made myself listen to a hell of a lot more music than I normally do, I'm delighted to say that it was worth it a thousand times over.
This is the first of three lists - I'll be ranking my 10 favourite albums, 25 favourite b-sides and 50 (yes, 50!) title tracks that were released this year. The ground rules aren't set in stone, but just know that everything in these lists is my opinion and I can't listen to everything (as much as I would love to). My taste is going to be different than yours, and that's okay - if anything, I hope you can find some recommendations in these lists for new songs, albums and artists that you never knew you needed.
Also, if you'd like to consume my year-end lists in playlist form rather than having to go through articles, I've made playlists for them all on Spotify should you want to give them a listen. I'll be linking each playlist in its corresponding article, so here's the playlist of my favourite albums from this year! (I only included title tracks, because if I put the whole albums in there, not only would ranking be messy, but we'd be there forever.)
In terms of honourable mentions, here's what I've got this year:
- NCT 2020 (엔시티 2020) - Resonance Pt.2
- NCT Dream (엔시티 드림) - Reload
- EVERGLOW (에버글로우) - -77.82 X -78.29
- Hwasa (화사) - María
- Alexa (알렉사) - Decoherence
- April (에이프릴) - Da Capo
With all of that out of the way, let's start things off by looking at the 10 albums that really grabbed me this year!
10. DAY6 (데이식스) - THE BOOK OF US: DEMON
While I've definitely listened to a selection of their title tracks in the past, I've never fully taken the dive into DAY6's wider discography, despite many people saying it's one of the best in K-Pop. But after being intrigued by the darker themes and concepts surrounding their previous comeback, I sat down to listen to both "Zombie" and The Book of Us: Demon as an album, and... Wow, y'all weren't kidding. It's safe to say that the hype is 100% real - not only does this album have its shockingly poignant points given the year 2020 has been, but it's also got ones of raw power and energy that completely blew me away. Seriously, that chorus in "Love Me or Leave Me" is one of the best this year, and "Stop" was just the raggedy, razor-sharp cut I needed from an album like this one. "Afraid" also made me cry, so there's that.
If you've never listened to DAY6, I'm not the best person to tell you where to start. But hell, if you're looking for a superb pop-rock album with some insane high points and incredibly moving lyrics, The Book of Us: Demon is a fantastic choice. I'll definitely be keeping more of a close eye on DAY6's discography going forward, because if all their music really is this high quality, then I definitely need more of that in my life.
9. KARD (카드) - RED MOON
This is an album I won't dwell too long on, since I did actually review it on the blog earlier this year (shocker, I know!). But I'll say this - nearly a year on since its release, Red Moon is still my favourite KARD EP. It's tight, it's catchy, and when I tell you this would set your speakers on fire, I mean it; this is KARD at their most powerful, churning out banger after banger after banger. The unit b-sides showcase a surprising amount of versatility, and while the mixing and production can sometimes let them down, this is an album that defines KARD's concept and image as a whole. It's still on repeat for me, and it should be for you too!
8. BTS (방탄소년단) - MAP OF THE SOUL: 7
What else is there to be said about BTS that hasn't already been said? Dynamite's been in the Hot 100 for weeks now (it's still going at the time of writing this), and they've gained an unprecedented level of popularity whilst breaking pretty much every record out there. If you think about it, Map of the Soul:7 was the album that really started their skyrocketing growth this year, and looking back on it, I can see why.
Sure, it's got its dull moments - the Persona songs tacked onto the beginning to boost the streaming numbers make it run overly long, and there are still some songs here I really don't like (looking at you, "Respect") - but by god, when it's good, it's good. "ON" has the exact kind of raucous energy I adore from BTS, the member b-sides like "Filter" and "Moon" are incredibly memorable and fun, and once again, the sheer amount of variety on offer here is staggering. "Louder than bombs", "00:00 (Zero O'Clock)" and of course "UGH!" are absolute standouts not just from this album, but BTS' discography for me.
When I heard the final chorus of "ON" for the first time, I got incredibly hyped for this album, and it turns out I was very much right to be. By the small chance you haven't listened to this yet, do yourself a favour and go do so. While it's got its flaws, there is bound to be something here that you'll enjoy, whether you enjoy K-Pop or not.
7. BLACKPINK (블랙핑크) - THE ALBUM
It turns out BTS wasn't the only internationally popular group to release a full album this year - we finally, FINALLY got somewhat of a full-length project from BLACKPINK. And while expectations were tampered a bit seeing only eight tracks on the record itself, I really do believe that THE ALBUM was worth the wait. In this case, it really is a case of quality over quantity, because while there's only eight songs here, most of them are excellent. Sure, there are some minor duds - even though I'm more of a fan than "Ice Cream" than most - but this album really does have some of Blackpink's all-time best. Take one listen to "Pretty Savage" and "Lovesick Girls" and you'll see what I mean. I also didn't know I needed to have the girls take on a creepy concept, but by god, turns out "Crazy Over You" was exactly what I wanted from them this year.
Just like MOTS:7, there's a very small chance you haven't heard this, but if you haven't, you're severely missing out. THE ALBUM really ended up being worth the wait for me, and I can only sincerely hope it shows signs of the direction Blackpink are going in moving forward - we're in for one hell of a ride if that's the case.
6. MAMAMOO (마마무) - TRAVEL
Now, if you know me, you probably knew that this album was going to end up here. MAMAMOO are my ult girl group, I'm a hardcore MooMoo, and I'm very rarely disappointed with their music. But even though I may have rose-tinted glasses on sometimes, I really do feel like Travel is deserving of its spot here, personal bias aside.
While it's not the trend-setting phenomenon "HIP" turned out to be, "AYA" is the return of fiery, confident MAMAMOO from the likes of "Egotistic" that I've so sorely been missing. The album itself isn't light on variety either - "Diamond" is a bit clumsy yet ridiculously sexy, "Chuck" is catchy and memorable as hell with its unique genre fusions, and "Dingga" is the fun retro throwback MAMAMOO have always excelled at. They're in their comfort zone here, but they still shine and manage to excel with what they've got. It's a really nice little album, and while it's not a standout in their discography, it's absolutely still worth your time if you need something fun to cheer you up heading into the new year.
5. DREAMCATCHER (드림캐쳐) - DYSTOPIA: THE TREE OF LANGUAGE
Dreamcatcher have been a hallmark of quality for many people in the K-Pop industry since their re-debut in 2017, and with the release of their first full-length album this year, it's easy to understand why. Not only are the girls incredible performers (even when they're missing a member), but their edgier, rock-inspired concept stands out from the crowd and really makes an impact. That doesn't mean they don't go outside of their comfort zone every now and again, though! While there are some more familiar songs like "Tension" and the amazing title track "Scream" that showcase their well-known rocky side, Leez and Ollounder hit the experimentation jackpot here. There's jazz, EDM, pop, funk and even some metal influences scattered throughout the album, which means you're not going to be bored for a single second listening to what's on offer here.
If you're looking for talent, variety and excellent music in general, Dreamcatcher should be your group of choice every time. I've been a fan of them since debut, and The Tree of Language absolutely blew my expectations out of the water - it's an excellent album from an excellent group who are worthy of every ounce of hype they've had surrounding them.
4. TWICE (트와이스) - MORE & MORE
Yyyyyeah, this isn't going to be the TWICE album most people put on their year-end lists, but hear me out.
While Eyes Wide Open was a good album, sure, and I enjoyed the retro throwback tracks for what they were - the title track was great, and songs like "Shot Clock, "Go Hard" and "Hell In Heaven" really stand out - there's something about More & More that keeps me coming back for... well, more! It just feels like a tighter, more well thought-out album to me, and not once was I bored going through its tracklist for the first time. I still feel like the title track got way more hate than what it deserved, and honestly, the b-sides here are some of my favourite this year! "Oxygen" and especially "Shadow" are excellent examples of what TWICE can do, and just how close to pop perfection they can come.
It may be the underdog of their releases this year, but please don't forget about More & More. It's an excellent album from the girls that really solidifies their growth as a group, and one that relentlessly hooked me from the first listen and hasn't let go.
3. ATEEZ (에이티즈) - ZERO: FEVER EP.1
Going back to albums that you probably could've expected to be on this list, it's not a surprise to anyone that ATEEZ are near the top of my list again this year. I've said it before and I'll say it again - their discography is one of the best K-Pop has seen in a while, and it's absolutely one of the best of the 4th gen so far. However, with the end of the Treasure series, I'd be remiss to say I wasn't nervous to see where they would go next; how would their sound change to match any new concepts they tried their hand with?
Well, it turns out I should have had more faith in them, because I mean it with my whole heart when I say this is ATEEZ's best album. It would have topped my list in any other year. I don't quite think I realised how refreshing it would be when Leez and Ollounder changed up their sound for these boys ever so slightly, and even though "THANXX" is the ATEEZ title track I know and dearly love, "Inception" has slowly become one of my most listened-to songs this year. It's grand, it's sweeping, and it's got this gorgeously poignant sense of emotionality and drama that grabs you by the heart strings and never lets go. That bridge is angelic.
The other b-sides are no slouch, either; "To The Beat" is the best non-NCT NCT song we've got this year, "Good Lil Boy" has the exact kind of upbeat energy ATEEZ excel at delivering, and "Fever" feels like the perfect way to start a new chapter in this group's discography. And man, I would be lying if I said that "One Day At a Time" didn't make me cry like a baby upon first listen, because it did. This year has been rough, and if there's anyone who can sell a convincing "it'll all be okay" song, it's ATEEZ. Where the hell are my tissues?!
Fever is a thrill from start to finish, and it has on the edge of my goddamn seat to see where ATEEZ go with their music from here. It honestly feels like they levelled up moving from the Treasure series from this one, and I don't quite know how they can improve. I know they'll keep finding new ways to absolutely blow me away, but until then, this album is an absolute gem that you should have already heard and fallen in love with. If you haven't, do yourself a favour and treat yourself by giving it a listen - it's incredible, and I really do mean that.
2. ITZY (있지) - IT'Z ME
It's all well and good talking about a group who I already know and love, but what about when a group takes me by surprise? What about when a group or artist releases a project that I didn't expect to love, but suddenly it's at the top of my Spotify library? That is exactly what happened early this year when ITZY released IT'z ME, which is hands-down their best project yet, and one of the best albums to come out of 2020.
Iconic is an interesting word. Arguably, it's one that gets thrown around a lot, and overused even more so. However, if you're going to ask me what I'd consider an iconic comeback from this year, it's got to be "Wannabe" - Ryujin's intro alone has been the defining moment of K-Pop in 2020 for me in 2020. "Wannabe" itself is a powerhouse of a song, with Galactika thankfully righting their wrongs from "DALLA DALLA" and giving ITZY a strong and energetic but deliciously fun title track. It's my most listened to song of the year, and for damn good reason!
And the b-sides. MY GOD, THE B-SIDES. "24HRS" shows that Sophie really needs to produce more K-Pop, "I DON'T WANNA DANCE" will be stuck in your head for weeks, and "TING TING TING" is pretty much my perfect song. It's everything I've ever wanted from an EDM/K-Pop fusion, and is one of the single best songs to get released this year. This album is an absolute showstopper from start to finish, with little to no exceptions. It's the best kind of rollercoaster.
While I was initially doubtful of ITZY given how JYP were handling them and their discography, IT'z ME has proven that I am, in fact, a dumbass and should have known better. This is one of my favourite K-Pop albums ever, not just from 2020, and you are honestly doing yourself a disservice if you haven't heard it. Sure, I didn't enjoy Not Shy as much, but I'm okay with this being a flash in the pan. It was the perfect way to end the IT'z series, and I pretty much want this album's cover art printed on my gravestone, thanks.
But what beat it? I did say that 2020 was an incredible year for music, and I meant that. But what could beat an album as good as IT'z ME? Well, while some may consider this cheating, I... honestly don't really care.
Because I need to scream about K/DA for a hot minute.
1. K/DA - ALL OUT
Is this cheating? Maybe. But damn it, K/DA were made to be a K-Pop group. That's been Riot's intention with them from day one. Call it what you will, but there is a space for this kind of thing when you do it right.
But what I didn't expect was for the music to be this good, because gUYS. GUYS. THIS IS IT.
I'll be honest, I had little to no expectations from this album. I didn't really expect it to be good, or stand out; I just thought it would be a pretty average pop album to promote K/DA and the whole idea of a virtual K-Pop group. And looking back on it, maybe I was wrong to think that. "POP/STARS" did take over the internet for a while after its release, and I did like it a lot when I reviewed it on here initially. So sure, I could've expected this album to be at least okay, but I DID NOT EXPECT IT TO BE THIS GOOD.
Where do I start? Well, you could start with the fact that Riot decided to give each member of K/DA their own song on this album, to better show what they're about and flesh out their personalities, if you will. "The Baddest" belongs to Akali, "Villain" belongs to Evelyn, "Drum Go Dum" is Kai'sa's and "I'll Show You" is Ahri's. Trust me when I say that every single one of these songs is incredible. I'm not going to try and dance around the fact that they're produced by Bekuh Boom, who is a... shitty person, to put it lightly. But goddammit, let's separate art from artist just this once and appreciate the amazing music on offer here.
While it didn't sit right with me initially, "The Baddest" is slick as hell, and works way better as an intro to the album. "Drum Go Dum" has some of the most intense production I've heard all year, and would be incredible in a car or something of the sort. "I'll Show You", while it may seem like a generic pop song at first, is a stunning synthpop anthem with enough glitter and pizzazz for at least seven bath bombs.
And "Villain"? Don't start me on "Villain". We'll be here all day. I have precisely five words: holy shit, yes. MORE PLEASE.
Let's not forget about the title track, "MORE". I'm sure it doesn't quite stack up to "POP/STARS" for many, but for me? It's better. It's probably not as wild, wacky or out-there as its predecessor, but if anything, it seems like Riot really know what they want to do with K/DA, and the music is backing that up. It hits hard, the chorus is earwormy and incredibly catchy, and it's the exact kind of spectacle I love in K-Pop.
I haven't even talked about the vocal performances! Soyeon and Miyeon return as Akali and Ahri respectively, at least for a few of the songs, and they absolutely kill it - Soyeon especially, which should be no surprise. But hey, the non-K-Pop performers are great too, with Madison Beer's beautiful vocal timbre suiting Evelyn perfectly, and Wolftyla honestly making a really great fit for Kai'Sa. And y'know, there's also a TWICE feature on this album with some of the best vocal production they've had in years. No big deal.
I could yell about this album all day, but I'll leave it at this: if this is the kind of effort Riot are going to be putting into K/DA going forward, consider me a hardcore BLADE. This was a fucking incredible album from start to finish, and I am now unironically hoping for a full-length album. It's the best thing I've heard all year, and in a year like 2020, that is an insanely high amount of praise to heap onto anyone or anything.
Now, excuse me while I go blast "Villain" for the 14th time today.
