Ranking all NU'EST Singles

NU'EST have disbanded 10 years after their initial debut. While not exactly unexpected, this is still quite sad, as they were one of the several K-Pop groups I truly enjoyed back in the early 2010s. They crafted a solid discography and seeing their slow fall, and eventual thundering return in 2017, was fantastic to watch. As a tribute to the modern K-Pop icons, I am ranking all their singles here.

As for the rules, they are the same as always; Songs will be counted here only if they are considered singles, those tracks with limited live MVs such as Access to You have been removed. Remixes have also been excluded to simplify the ranking unless they were b-sides before being remixed. I also have removed all unpromoted singles, such as If You as they really don't count. I also removed their Dancing in the Snow in High Heels track with Orange Caramel, as they only sing one or two lines through the track. The one rule change as I am counting NU'EST W singles, as it was practically NU'EST releasing singles under a different name. NU'EST-M counts too, but they never did release any original tracks. Now, let us start!

28. Let's Love (2020)

NU'EST penultimate CF track for Spoonz is also one of the group's most inconsequential releases. Driven by some of the group's worst lyrics, Let's Love is pure Valentine's day cheese, and fails to differentiate itself from the hundreds of other releases of this style.

27. Love Paint [Every Afternoon] (2016)

Continuing down their atmospheric electronic sound set up earlier in the year with Overcome, Love Paint never finds a hook to support its atmosphere, and as a result, ended up half-baked. At least the group's astonishing return was not too far off.

26. Cherry (2015)

A typical J-Pop boy band song, NU'EST have released much better than Cherry, but at least the dramatic strings work within the restraints of the track.

25. Best Summer (2020)

Their final CF track for Spoonz, Best Summer is a slow piano ballad with emotional undertones. There are thousands of examples of this style, and NU'EST do fine with the material on hand, even if they themselves have better ballads in their discography.

24. Fine Girl (2013)

A smooth summer single, Fine Girl is not among NU'EST's more memorable offerings, but the breezy instrumental is certainly a plus. The members do their best, even if the song is far from memorable.

23. Overcome (2016)

Overcome is as trendy as they come, and as a result, has not aged that well. Nonetheless, the group do their best with the sparse and sputtering EDM synth assault. At least the track maintained their atmospheric build. Before their return, the group would continue to decline, however.

22. Shalala Ring (2014)

A somewhat overzealous Japanese debut, Shalala Ring builds on their more cutesy debut year moments with an over-the-top, youthful electronic production. At least the melody is decent.

21. Sandy (2012)

The final of their debut year singles, Sandy is also the weakest of the quartet of releases. From its somewhat pensive opening verse to the speeding 2012 chorus, Sandy is uniquely of its time. At the same time, there is something nostalgic about the chorus and its slow build.

20. Daybreak [Minhyun and JR]

A surprising unit track, Daybreak pairs rapper JR with vocalist Minhyun for a sparse and melodic ballad. Daybreak understands its atmosphere much better than the preceding few NU'EST singles, with a set mid-tempo sound.

19. I'm In Trouble (2020)

Seeing NU'EST fully establish themselves in a smooth deep house sound, I'm In Trouble glides by while following the set sound of this style. Nonetheless, the multi-part refrain is the single's high point. They would continue down this sonic path until their disbandment.

18. Inside Out (2021)

Inside Out's production is so smooth there is no grit, causing the track to almost glide through without any impact. Thankfully, the melody has some strong hooks, and NU'EST provide a fantastic performance for what would turn out to be their final normal single.

17. Drive (2020)

Their final Japanese single, Drive seems to strangely be forgotten in most compilations of NU'EST singles I found online. Nonetheless, the driven synth-pop of the chorus is instantly memorable with its melodic intensity.

16. I Don't Care (2018)

NU'EST's commercial film tracks for Spoonz tended to be mixed bags, especially since they were essentially lightweight advertisements. I Don't Care however has aged surprisingly well, likely due to its incredible post-chorus holding anchor during the song's more light-hearted moments.

15. Not Over You (2012)

Not Over You is uniquely dated, opting for a melodic and clobbering EDM sound limited to 2012 K-Pop boy bands. While it is not the best example of this style, Not Over You is not exactly forgettable, with its soaring refrain lodging well into your head for days on end.

14. Again (2022)

NU'EST's disbandment single, Again may follow every trope utilized by disbandment songs, from the piano through the verses to the surging chorus, but it does this in a truly fantastic way. The chorus' melody is excellent, and despite being less than a month old, already ranks among NU'EST's best.

13. Na.Na.Na.Namida (2015)

A song that I had forgotten for the longest time, Na.Na.Na.Namida is a surprisingly fantastic tears-in-the-rain ballad. The surging vocal performance is a fantastic assist to the dramatic melody, leading to the instantly memorable chorus and its cathartic melodrama.

12. Where You At (2017)

NU'EST's first track after their commercial breakthrough, and their only song to top the Gaon single charts, Where You At is not that different from their 2016 sound, but is much more polished, with the electronic splits of the chorus helping build the atmosphere. A pummeling climax would certainly help the song, but Where You At signaled the turning of the tide for NU'EST.

11. Bet Bet (2019)

The group's return as five, Bet Bet was initially underestimated due to its ultimately trendy house sound. However, 3 years after its release, Bet Bet remains an above-average example of its sound, anchored by a memorable chorus. 

10. I'm Bad (2015)

Solidifying their conceptual change to dark mid-tempos, the synth-driven I'm Bad remains one of NU'EST's most underrated numbers, with the '90s-esque chorus being one of the group's best. While it might knock you over, I'm Bad has only improved with age.

9. Sleep Talking (2013)

While NU'EST were never one of the more experimental K-Pop groups of their time, Sleep Talking's off-kilter choice of sampling snores was genius, with it being even more surprising that it works. However, whenever the song threatens to confuse, the massive pop-rock hook returns to remind you what NU'EST do best. Special brownie points for the massive chanted bridge.

8. Love Me (2019)

A fun and upbeat deep house song, Love Me's whistle hook remains one highly engaging years after its release. The chorus's slow release works well, even if the trendy sound has not aged that well.

7. Good Bye Bye (2014)

Released during NU'EST's dark days of commercial decline, the dark and melodic atmosphere blanketing Good Bye Bye is reminiscent of VIXX. NU'EST however make the track their own with the fun verses and the now-iconic chorus. Even the overly-electronic bridge can do nothing to hurt the clobbering heartbreak of the chorus.

6. Help Me (2018)

Their last single as four before Minhyun's return, Help Me was a strong cap on their already-fantastic 2018. The song's incredible blend of theatrical elements was an inspired choice, with a sense of aggressive musical ambition that recalled their debut-year ambition. It is a shame NU'EST never returned to this sound.

5. Universe [Minhyun Solo] (2019)

A solo track by Minhyun from their first EP as five since 2016, Universe was the perfect celebration of Minhyun's return. The thumping electro house bass through the chorus helped the track, but the instantly-memorable melody through the centrally refrain made the song what it is. Hopefully Minhyun's potential solo career builds on this sound.

4. Hello (2013)

Though it would initially commercially underperform, NU'EST's performance of this during the second season of Produce 101 would be their first boost to the a-list. Few songs would have been more deserving of a break-out, as Hello is NU'EST's most beautiful release. From the light sprinkled arrangement over the sparse mid-tempo bounce to the lyrics, Hello is one of the few NU'EST tracks to improve with age.

3. Dejavu (2018)

While Produce 101 brought NU'EST back into the spotlight, it was Dejavu that made sure that NU'EST would not be forgotten. Instantly atmospheric, Dejavu's deep house sound was an inspired choice by Baekho. However, the song would be nothing if not for its instantly iconic hooks and production. From the sparingly used rhythm guitar to the now-legendary chorus, opening with one of the best anti-drops in pop music history. Dejavu is a perfect example of build-and-release within the confines of pop music and deserves all the acclaim it has received and more.

2. Action (2012)

Nearly missing the top spot, NU'EST's second single is also their most ambitious. Opting for the furious and ambitious Sci-Fi Pop sound of 2012 K-Pop, there is something in Action that strikes as memorable years after its release. Perhaps it was its update on '60s dreams and ideas, or it could be the fantastic electronic breakdown prior to the bridge which let JR and Aron let loose. Action remains a watershed "what if" moment in K-Pop, where one can wonder what would have happened if NU'EST and other groups followed its sounds. However, in our world, it remains a unique glimpse of power never fulfilled.

1. Face (2012)

10 years after its release, NU'EST's debut remains one of the most invigorating breakout tracks in K-Pop history. Opting for the then-in-vogue EDM pop sound, NU'EST nonetheless instantly differentiated themselves from the rest of the crowd with the track's thundering production and memorable hooks. There is a sense of emotional intensity to the clobbering production in the track, only further expanded upon by the endearing vocal performances by the various members.

However, what makes Face so memorable is its firey lyrics. While anti-bullying anthems are nothing new to the music scene, few were as unapologetic as NU'EST's debut. Assisted by an instantly iconic music video (featuring some of the best K-Pop fashion of all time), even hinting at the redemption of bullies, Face is a perfect example of what a good boy band track can be, and a fantastic introduction to the world for NU'EST, and an equally fantastic farewell.

Image Source: Soompi