Music Archive 🎧ྀི

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“APT.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars sounds like what would happen if an Australian 2000s Avril Lavigne meets, well, pop legend Bruno Mars. The title, which is also part of the repeated chorus, comes from the English abbreviation for “apartment” but it is sung as “apateu” which is the Korean pronunciation for the same word. The word also doubles as a reference to a popular Korean drinking game where you repeat “apateu” as they do in the song. Mixing these meanings allow for Korean culture and language to be spread to spaces where it's typically not seen. This is the first released song from Rosé’s upcoming solo album “rosie” and immediately you can tell it's different from anything she has done in her career thus far. This song shows so much of her fun personality that fans have gotten to know off stage, but this time it’s in a way that really manifests musically. Creatively, “APT.” gives very much garage band energy because of the pop-rock percussion mixed with the isolated vocals. Both Rosé and Bruno are known for their strong but honey-like tones so the mix of the two could not have been paired better. This song has also become Rosé’s AND Bruno’s BIGGEST debut on the Global Spotify chart. With someone like Bruno being such a prominent figure in the music industry and for so long, it really shows just how big that stat is. Overall, this song displays a sense of style, flair, and fun that I think the industry is lacking right now. Dare I say this is one of the best releases of 2024? 

Jennie Kim is back with solo music since her well-received debut single “SOLO” in 2018 and the official release of “You & Me.” “Mantra” is a call to the “pretty girls” to be yourself, have fun, know your power, and be unapologetic in what you want. I love how the lyrics feel like affirmations you would say to the mirror to give yourself an everyday confidence boost. In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine she said, “The song was inspired by my time recording in Los Angeles and hopefully fans feel that energy — which is about being positive, being expressive, and being true to who you are. It’s energetic and empowering with a message for all of my ladies, women, and pretty girls out there to love yourself for who you are. This is your anthem.” Jennie has always been an idol you can look up to when it comes to never letting anyone tell you who you can and cannot be, and I think “Mantra” is a fun way for her to spread that message to a global audience. 

After member Lia went on hiatus from the group and all its activities in September of 2023, ITZY had to learn to adjust and move forward without their vocalist and friend. Lia left for mental health reasons undoubtedly fueled by the everlasting influx of bullying and hate trains that social media has made possible. During Lia’s hiatus the remaining group came out with their 8th EP and even embarked on their second world tour with redistributed lines and choreography for past releases. On October 15th, 2024, the group finally became five again with the return of Lia and their new EP “GOLD.” The EP features the song “Imaginary Friend” as one part of its double title track which listeners have quickly connected to Lia’s hiatus. The song is about powerful bonds that exist through thick and thin. The musicality is much softer and more emotional than what fans typically expect from ITZY, but the vulnerability has been appreciated. Matching the lyrics and creative direction of the music video, the choreography is fluid yet commanding in order to tell a story that is most definitely personal to them. It is a beautiful song that I think many can relate to and find comfort in. 

If you know me then you know that the grip that this song has on me is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The overall production makes it nothing short of hypnotizing and beautifully haunting. Between the guitar, drums, synth, and vocal blends, “Smoke Sprite” is truly a song that leans into every aspect of the listening experience. So Yoon’s tone is unlike anything I have ever heard in my life and I quite frankly can’t get enough of it. Its uniqueness is rich and strong which allows you to feel the song with such a deep level of intensity. In contrast, RM’s part is deep but light. So Yoon comes out swinging whereas RM somewhat glides through his verse with a voice that is just as powerful. The mix of their two tones compliment each other so well that the two feel organically intertwined. 

Referencing the classic novel by Mary Shelley, Rina Sawayama compares herself to Frankenstein’s monster in this dark, alternative pop song off her second studio album. She sings, “Put me together one more time / Love me forever, fix me right.” She is begging her lover to make her feel whole and to emotionally put her back together again. Unfortunately, no one can really do that except for herself causing the desperation and panic to really set in throughout the song. Rina is a master at storytelling not only through her lyrics and music videos, but by the way she sings. You can hear the passion and determination in her voice which really allows for the listener to understand her motives. It’s a Halloween classic in my book and one that I can listen to year round. 

There is not a musical space that NewJeans will not dominate. Serving as the group’s first Japanese double-single, “Supernatural” is a groovy, cute, pop song that had help from one of the most respected singer-songwriters in American pop music. Pharrell Williams is credited in both the writing and production of “Supernatural” and can even be heard at the beginning of the song. Sonically, the single follows that of typical NewJeans fashion: light synths, upbeat claps, and airy vocal melodies. The music video is perfectly curated to match the concept of the song which surrounds the group reminiscing about how this love they are singing about feels almost supernatural in nature.  

Le Sserafim’s latest title track “CRAZY” is all about having fun and being yourself no matter how crazy others may perceive you to be. The song also combines many different styles of music while paying tribute to the song’s inspirations. “CRAZY” is k-pop, EDM, hip-hop, and most notably, house music. Birthed from disco music of the 80s, house music layers synth sounds and propulsive beats. House music is famously used in ballroom/vogue dancing which has been highly popularized through queer spaces. To recognize the history and culture of the music style, the official choreography for the song includes voguing, duck walking, and a death drop. Furthermore, Le Sserafim has THE House of Juicy Couture in the song’s music video. The House of Juicy Couture is famous in the kiki scene and are the winners of the 3rd season of “Legendary.” They are known for their level of production, dancing skills, and passion towards their craft. The combination of Le Sserafim and them is not only historic for a space like K-pop, but helps to elevate the creativity and talent of both parties involved. 

Formed under HYBE and Geffen Records, the global girl group KATSEYE is starting their career out strong. Last year, an online reality competition show called “The Debut: Dream Academy” premiered with the end goal of finding the perfect group of girls from all over the world to be the next big thing. The show was in collaboration with HYBE Entertainment who is famously known for being the entertainment company of BTS. The goal was to create a K-Pop group, minus the “K,” to have a group of quality performers that catered to a more global audience from the get-go. Since the show ended in November of 2023, fans have been waiting for KATSEYE’s official debut and the release of their first album. This summer, the wait was over for both and their song “Touch” off the album has become a fan favorite. “Touch” is cute, light, and so very easy to keep on repeat. Because of this, it only makes sense that KATSEYE has become the first western/global girl group from this decade to enter the Global Spotify chart. With a start like this, I am sure that they will only continue to rise. 

Every single time Lisa releases a new song it is yet another testimony to the fact that she never misses. 110% or nothing is what’s to be expected by a Lisa comeback and it’s easy to see that nothing is not an option with “New Woman (feat. Rosalía).” The overall artistry in both the song and the music video is so extremely refreshing to see as she steps into the pop scene unlike ever before. “New Woman (feat. Rosalía)” showcases a new era for Lisa, while still having the confident, empowering themes that she has historically strived to convey since the start of her career. I also really enjoy hearing more of Lisa’s singing voice instead of her typical strong rap style. It compliments the shift that this song and video brings to her musical catalog. Speaking of a shift, the beat shift from Lisa to Rosalía could not have been executed better. Rosalía adds such a nice vocal tone and brings in this elevated artistry to an already stunning song. The combination of the two artists makes the song almost cinematic. The music video visuals are on a whole other level too. The effects, transitions, colors, florals, hair, makeup, fashion, and more is absolutely flawless. No notes across the board.

As one of The Cure’s most popular songs, “Just Like Heaven” aims to express how the love and character of a single person can equal that of divine paradise. In an interview with Blender Magazine in November of 2003, Robert Smith describes the song by saying, “The song is about hyperventilating - kissing and fainting to the floor [...] The idea is that one night like that is worth 1,000 hours of drudgery." Between the layered instruments and the meaningful lyrics, this song has proven to be absolutely timeless. 

Having a consistent creative presence in concept and execution is a strong suit for Aespa. With an already solid music career that transcends multiple languages, the quality of their debut in Japanese pop should be expected. Simply put, Aespa truly makes it hot with “Hot Mess.” The importance of self-expression and confidence is promoted throughout the entirety of the song in a way that is fun and catchy. The “Hot Mess” music video combines both a y2k and a y3k aesthetic while really tapping into the popular aspects of Japanese culture. Aespa has been killing it since the start of their career and this comeback just makes me more confident that their individuality and the quality of their craft will never change.  

If for some odd reason you didn’t consider Xdinary Heroes a rock band before, you most certainly will after their new song “LOVE and FEAR.” As an extension of the rock genre and its subculture, the track fits the type of grunge style that transports you back to a Hot Topic store circa 2014… which is an ideal scenario for me. Its lyrics cover that of an all consuming love; a love so intense that the possibilities it can bring and the control that it can have are frightening. 

With this band you can see and hear how much their level of maturity grows, not only as artists but as individuals, with each new release. Whether it be through instrumentals, vocals, concepts, styling, or more, you can always count on Xdinary Heroes to constantly be developing into the very best artist that they can be. They take their craft seriously and that is something that I have massive respect for.

When you hear that Lisa from BLACKPINK is releasing another solo song, you already know that you’re in for a track that is fun, confident, and addicting. “Rockstar” highlights Lisa’s career, status, and culture through both her lyrics and the artistic direction used in the song’s music video. With this single and in music as a whole, using lengthy repetition in a song can be a risky decision. However, rather than getting bored, you almost get more hyped up as “Rockstar” progresses. One of the repeated lyrics in question is, “I'm a rockstar, I'm a rockstar / It's not hype, hype, baby, make you rock-hard.” Paired with a playful innuendo, Lisa declares that her and her success are more than just “hype” but a global sensation. 

The grandeur of her career has been proven to be true on multiple accounts, all it takes to find an example is to look at the music video. At the time that this was written, the music video already has 135 million views with the premiere being only 5 weeks ago. The music video compliments Lisa’s Thai heritage and the importance of representation from the cyberpunk scenery of Thailand, to influencer cameos, and to Lisa’s own iconic style. It’s a visually pleasing display of artistry and entertainment all under the leadership of Miss Lalisa. 

Clairo truly never disappoints when it comes to new music and “Juna” has already become a fan favorite off of her new album “Charm.” The song explores having such a deep level of connection with someone that everything becomes instinct. She sings, "I don't have to think with you, there's no pretending." This album and this song is also reminiscent of the 70’s through the light and airy vocal melodies accompanied by brass and percussion. Not only is her singing voice an instrument but Clairo's decision to include a mouth trumpet is simply so fun. The transition from her mouth trumpet to the actual trumpet is so clean and beautiful that it adds this new level of intimacy between her, the band, and the listener. 

Unapologetic and unwavering in their craft and the utilization of their platform, MUNA is nothing short of extraordinary. The band heavily taps into themes regarding sexuality, joy, desire, and vulnerability with their self-titled album “MUNA.” Their song “No Idea” off the album is one that’s filled with an upbeat flair and an electronic spunk that matches that of the lyrics. In an article about the band, the New York Times writes that the song, “toys with the gap between perception and projection, the clarity and confinement that come with claiming a label.” It’s an alluring track that showcases MUNA’s lovable transparency.  

It is hard to think that a 20 second demo clip of a song that Gracie Abrams wrote seven years ago would be seeing the light of day let alone be as big of a hit as it is. “Close to You” by Gracie Abrams has been a song that fans have been begging for for years. Its release not only gives peace to those who have been wanting it since they heard the demo but ties together two different versions of Gracie Abrams herself. While announcing the release of the song, she says, “It’s from a different time entirely.” What a testimony to her songwriting it is that something she wrote so long ago and in a completely different point in her life can be so well-received even now? 

P.S. Her making a Video Star as the official visual for this song is so unserious and real, I'm obsessed.

As a big fan of theirs, it is only fair that I give some extra love to ITZY. Their song “Mr. Vampire” is one of my favorites because of the vocal mixing, R&B beats, and piano arpeggios to make it a catchy song with a unique sound. When it comes to the vocals, being able to have a mixture of soft and strong tones in a way that doesn’t sound sporadic can be something that is hard to execute and yet I feel as if it is done perfectly. As the main rapper in the group, it is also rare that audiences see Ryujin sing in such a style but it was truly done so well. I also have to note the styling in this music video– the hairstyles and outfit combinations are so cute and are probably some of my favorites that they have worn.

After her extremely successful solo debut in 2022 with “POP!” it was hard to think that Nayeon could ever live up to such high expectations. However, the vocalist from TWICE shows her ability to execute a concept with ease in “ABCD.” As opposed to the bubblegum pop style that was “POP!”, “ABCD” leans more into 2000s pop and hip-hop with the music video paying homage to iconic 2000s artists. The chorus and styling resembles that of “Crazy In Love (feat. Jay-Z)” by Beyoncé and some of the set designs can’t help but make you reminiscent of “...Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears. It's a fun song that taps into a sound that we all know and love. 

Being able to be a queer artist for others to look up to is a main goal for Towa Bird. Representation is crucial in more than just television or film but includes musical lyrics as well. When it comes to “Drain Me!” in particular, Bird wanted the song to be fun, authentic, and thought-provokingly explicit as a way to normalize sapphic love. In an interview with Coco Mocoe for “Middle Row” she touches on this further and says, “I think it’s really important to have that and be like yeah actually queer love is real and like it can be as sexy and as fun as everyone else.” 

And don’t you know how sweet it tastes to never hear a bad NewJeans song? The highly popular group who has made their global mark in just a few years, keeps their flawless discography going with “How Sweet” (not that I ever doubted them). The song combines bubblegum pop with Miami bass that gives it both a familiar feeling and a fresh sound. I also love how this music video is filmed and edited. The way the editor included little animated sections such as the sticker-like inclusions for the title is so clever and fun. I think it plays into the free-spirited energy that NewJeans bring to a very intense industry.

“Good Luck, Babe!” is a single by Chappell Roan that has earned her her FIRST Billboard Hot 100 entry. The song has taken the world and the music industry by storm, proving that she is in fact, “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” The single explores denial in queer relationships and the struggles of having to watch someone revert to forced heterosexuality. Whether the song is directed towards a younger Chappell, a friend, past partner, or you the listener, it’s telling you that you can’t suppress who you are. If you do so, well good luck, babe!!!

Aespa is no stranger to a futuristic concept with a hyper-pop sound. However, there is something so special and unique about the girl group’s song titled “Supernova.” “Supernova” layers heavy bass and synth-melodies to make it an impressive and contagious track that will leave you wanting to PERFORM. Members Winter, Ningning, Giselle, and Karina know how to display their individuality while also showcasing their undeniable ability to work as one. They are truly a force to be reckoned with in the music industry for more than one reason and I think “Supernova” is just yet another example of that. 

Released as part of her third studio album “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” Billie Eilish boldly taps into sexuality and desire in “LUNCH.” After publicly coming out in late 2023, “LUNCH” serves as Eilish’s way to navigate her own sexuality and identity while also giving others a new queer anthem. Although a slightly different direction lyrically, the production still fits that classic Billie Eilish style and feel that has earned her such a reputable career. 

Released on April 3rd, 2024 along with a music video, "Midas Touch" by KISS OF LIFE is another incredible addition to the girl group's career. The song incorporates elements of R&B, synth-pop, and overall strong vocals to make it a hit worthy of appreciation. I am obsessed with the entire concept of this song: the music, the lyrics, the outfits, the scenes, and more. There are even parts of this song that remind me of something that the Cheetah Girls or the "Victorious" cast would have sung, which is probably the greatest compliment I could give.

Sabrina Carpenter has been everywhere nowadays and I am so extremely thankful that she is. Her latest song “Espresso” has earned her the #1 spot on the global, UK, and U.S Spotify charts and is taking the world by storm. The catchy song is the perfect summer hit and is finally allowing people to pronounce “espresso” correctly. It is also perhaps the definition of a song that was "written with a pink glitter gel pen." When it comes to the music video, you can count on her to make a super cute and fitting theme to match the vibe of her songs. This one has that vintage beach feel that is saturated in brown tones and filters to match the “espresso” theme which I think is absolutely genius.  

“Barely on My Mind” by The Regrettes is the 4th track on their 2022 album “Further Joy.” The song explores moving on from a past relationship and being expected to automatically forget all the things you experienced with that person. The carefree melody is paired with memorable lyrics that makes the song a witty installment in the band’s musical catalog.

“Nobody Knows” by the girl group KISS OF LIFE is an addictive installment found in the group’s 2nd mini album “Born to be XX.” The song’s melody is a mixture of the sultry and seductive paired with daring and bold demonstrations of rebelliousness. The music video further shows how the group takes a stand against acts of disrespect as nobody truly knows a situation like those who were a part of it.

This is my official call for more global XG appreciation!!!! I have been a huge fan of them since their debut in 2022 and I think they have everything you could ask for in a music act. They can sing, dance, rap, and consistently serve FACE. What makes them so incredibly unique is that they are a seven member girl group from Japan but they are based in South Korea and sing entirely in English. These elements allow for a cultural mix unlike any other and their entire style as a collective artist is just so fresh and infectious. Also, each member is so effortlessly cool in their fashion and respective aesthetics that you can’t help but want to take inspiration. When it comes to music, “SHOOTING STAR” is a song that I think can really draw you in as it demonstrates exactly what their sound is and what you can expect from them as a group. The music video itself gives you a look at how unique they are in their energy as it’s probably one of the most fun music videos I have seen in a long time. 

Lo and behold, the official release of “obsessed” by Olivia Rodrigo featured on GUTS (spilled) finally gave peace to those whose only mode of listening to this masterpiece was through sketchy, low-quality audio uploads and TikTok edits. This song further shows Rodrigo’s ability to belong in many different musical categories and helps to solidify her as a pop rock princess. In terms of the direction of the music video, the storytelling broken up with cuts to her and her band take me back to the early 2000s in the best way possible. I am obsessed with her, this song, and this music video. 

LE SSERAFIM makes putting out a hit look easyyy. The title track off of their EP takes the girl group in a slightly different direction through incorporating an R&B style with lighter melodic elements. It’s a combination of infectious nature that I, for one, am here for. Also, let me just say, while the song may be called “EASY” the choreography is definitely not. Only they can make it look as good as it does which shows talent all on its own. 

Towa Bird is sick of how expensive the cost of living is nowadays and wants an end to the harsh demands of the economy. Starting the song with a bang, Towa passionately sings about her feelings surrounding the topic in “B.I.L.L.S.” that anyone in this generation can relate to. 

This collaboration is truly one for the books and is a reminder that both artists are allergic to making bad music. The song takes elements of TXT’s idol training, Western pop music, sultry vocals, and Brazilian beats to make it a song that will leave you coming back for more.

The R&B girl group, FLO, is extremely underrated. The London-based group is comprised of members Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer and they are overFLOwing with talent. “Not My Job” is one of my favorite songs by them and is one that I think needs to have so much more attention. Their three voices create some of the smoothest, most heavenly vocals I have ever heard. 

“Killin’ It'' is a track by P1Harmony that I have probably played daily since its release. I genuinely do not believe it’s possible to put this song on and not immediately be put in a good mood. It is so fun and high-energy and makes me enthusiastically rap the lyrics “My root came 2005” even though my root actually came 2002… Lastly, whoever was in charge of the outfits for this music video needs a raise ASAP!!!

With their album “Fe304: BREAK” by NMIXX, the girl group has the most awarded song of their career thus far with the track “DASH.” The song takes elements of pop, jazz, and old school hip-hop plus the group’s own unique sound to create a song that makes its success obvious.