Source: Wikimedia
End of Month List: August
At the end of each month, I will list my album of the month, my top songs of the month, and my MV of the month awards. Have a blast reading!
Thoughts on the month:
After a few months of revival, August was a dull month for English, Indian, and Chinese music. Yet, it was a solid month for Korean and Japanese music. Korean music stayed consistent throughout, but I felt that there was only one standout. And while there was less Japanese music, that which was there was amazing. While they where released earlier, Ayumi Hamasaki and Ateez promoted some excellent songs which may have made it into the top five. Also, my song of the month and album of the month artists started their careers in the Japanese vocaloid boom.
My number five pick reminds of mid-2010s K-Pop songs, something like Wanna One's 'Energetic'. It was co-produced by Hui of Pentagon, one of the best modern K-Pop producers. It greatly improves on the group's debut. My number four pick is basically unknown. It has less than 5,000 views on YouTube and may not be on most streaming services, but boy is it a great retro throwback. Both my number three and two picks are anime openings, both are amazing and will probably make it into the top 25 songs of the year. And my number one song was technically released at the end of July, but I found it and it was promoted in August.
You will notice I kept Club Future Nostalgia as an album honorable mention. I did not like it as much as the original version, but it is great too. And my favorite album of the month is near a must listen. The most viewed J-Pop MV is also from the album FYI. And a decent MV took the Music Video of the month award.
Songs of the Month
Honorable Mentions:
BTS - Dynamite
Dreamcatcher - Can't Get You Outta My Mind
Dreamcatcher - Boca
Eir Aoi - Unreal Trip
Itzy - Not Shy
J.Y. Park (duet with Sunmi) - When We Disco
ONF - Sukhumvit Swimming
Yonezu Kenshi Ft. Yojiro Nada - Placebo
5. JO1 - Oh-Eh-Oh
4. Yi Saebom - Tonight
3. Tomorrow X Together (TXT)- Everlasting Shine
2. Sexy Zone - Run
1. Reol - The Sixth Sense
Album of the Month
Honurable Mentions:
JO1 - Stargazer
Dua Lipa - Club Future Nostalgia
Dreamcatcher - Dystopia: Lose Myself
Oh well, you do have taste. Kenshi Yonezu's album is by a clear mile, the best of Japan this year. I honestly am shocked you rated JO1 close to the top but again August is such a cumbersome month. Expect to see more of my opinions here as a music critic ;)
ReplyDeleteHello StillBangtan, thank you for commenting!
DeleteKenshi Yonezu's album is amazing, from Placebo to old singles like the eternal Lemon, there hardly is a dull moment :), I am not sure it is my favorite J-Album this year, but it is easily the most diverse album this year. If you do not like one track, you will like another. As for the JO1 album, ya it was okay, I agree that August was somewhat underwhelming for albums.
I see that you are starting up a blog! Congratulations! I'll check it out every once and a while :)
Well... I'm not starting a blog. I've tried that but I got bored. Congratulations to your blog as well! I hope you keep the reviews and scores coming!
DeleteToo bad the blog did not work, I admit, writing on Lu made me feel..... the less said the better...
DeleteDon't worry, I plan to have more reviews on the way (Just need new stuff worth reviewing) :)