u/Maltifandom23

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Hey everyone, five years after NMIXX's debut, JYP debuts a new group called OURBIRTHDAY. I’m curious to see what the new group will be bringing to the table. Now, before we jump into the debut, I wanted to let you all know that I’ll be talking about tracks 3 & 4 as one thing, and you will see when I talk about them. Now let’s jump into the world of OURBIRTHDAY and see what this four-track album will bring to the table. 

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https://preview.redd.it/jsdl62rogdkh1.jpg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=328e5623411e9578a60c58078c3945714e6d9623

Our Birthday - OURBIRTHDAY

1. Our Birthday

The opening song on the album has the same name as the group. Our Birthday goes for a bouncy pop beat with a bit of a hip-hop vibe. The members put on a pretty good performance, blending with the bouncy vibe. The rapping is not that bad, as it flows wonderfully with the overall vibe. I find that the instrumental delivers a fun vibe that helps the performance. The chorus could’ve been a bit stronger, but I’m not minding what is delivered to the table. The vocals from the group are pretty smooth as they add to the vibe of the track. I do find that after hearing the song, the hook is starting to get stuck in my head. 

https://preview.redd.it/8f7qd4w5hdkh1.jpg?width=679&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ca357fa2b34734f40fe7f68acbe663c398a1f66e

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2. SQUEEZY

The second song on the album is the title track, which has this gospel-sounding keyboard melody. I find that the bassline is carrying the verses, but the members still put on a great performance. I love the funky nature of the backing track, which helps to pull this title up. The hook is still growing on me, but I don’t mind what it delivers. The rapping is pretty smooth, adding to the instrumental vibe, but I will say it’s not the strongest rap. I enjoyed the DJ scratching before the final chorus comes into the mix.  I do wish this song was a bit longer cause I’m enjoying what it brings to the table, but before you know it’s already over. 

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3. & 4. Hungry (Side A) & Hungry (Side B)

The last two songs on the album are side A and side B of Hungry, which I have a lot to say about. The chorus for Hungry is super repetitive, which will take a lot of work for me to like it. The rapping and performance from the group work with the overall vibe. Now my biggest problem with this song is the took side A and side B, splitting them into two separate songs, which I don’t think needed to happen at all. Both sides feel like fragments of a song that could’ve been longer than what was delivered to the table. I feel like they did the opposite with that than they did with O.O by NMIXX. Instead of putting two different songs together, they just split a perfectly cohesive song into two separate parts. I wish they kept side A and side B together as one thing. 

https://preview.redd.it/cah324sahdkh1.jpg?width=2926&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c4b0c7264c79641a3268d4c67cd89208033eebee

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Summary: OURBIRTHDAY released their first mini album, which isn’t a bad one, but it's hard to figure out what JYP has in store for them. Our Birthday & SQUEEZY are pretty good songs with enough weight to pull me back for more. While Hungry gets split into a side A and a side B, which didn’t need to happy cause it could’ve worked as one full song. I’m curious to see what this group has in store with their music and what JYP will be doing with them. At the moment, the group’s debut is a decent one that only has two songs I’ll be returning to. 

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Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well. My week has been pretty good, though some rainy days made part of it feel dreary. This week we did get some tunes from artists like WAve to Earth, ME:I, &TEAM, and many more. I’ve also been getting excited for the upcoming KiiiKiii comeback next week. I’m curious to see what the group will be bringing to the table next week. There are a couple of songs from last week that I missed, so I’ll be talking about them here.  Now let’s jump into the music and see what the artists released this week. 

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Korean Releases of the Week:

August 2nd

1440 - Park Da hye

Singer Park Da hye is back with a new single called 1440. 1440 opens up with an acoustic guitar before percussion comes into the mix. I love the upbeat nature the instrumental has at it blends wonderfully with the singer's voice. Her bright voice is something that has been pulling me back to this tune a few times this week since it’s been growing on me a lot. The instrumental gives me a spring vibe as it's something I could see myself listening to al ot during that season. I’m glad Dahye is putting out more music since all her stuff is incretible cause of her voice. I hope she releases an album sometime cause I would love to hear what she has up her sleeve. 

https://preview.redd.it/hg4q98hlt6ih1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b2ac54ca8edee32578d02d965a16fe7b305aeed

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August 4th 

Soda Soda/Palm Tree - TWS

TWS is back with a new Japanese single delivering two new songs, Soda Soda and Palm Tree. Soda Soda brings in a funky-pop vibe that fits perfectly with summer. The smooth vocals from the members fit perfectly with the guitar and the melody. I love the synths sprinkled in the instrumental as they add a bit of a city-pop flair to the song. I’m glad TWS delivered a bridge with Soda Soda cause it feels like a lot of pop songs now skip that section. Palm Tree is the second new song on the single. Palm Tree goes for a bouncy-pop vibe that feels like something out of the club. I do like the vocals that blend with the thumping nature of the instrumental. I find the hook could’ve been a little stronger, but it still works for the group. I will say I like Soda Soda a bit more than Palm Tree, but both songs are still pretty good. 

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Non-Korean Release od the Week:

Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Again - Pentatonix

This week, Pentatonix announced they would be releasing a deluxe version of their Christmas in the City album from last year. This deluxe will feature three new songs and 7 live versions. The new track "Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Again" is pretty forgettable at best. I find the new song weaker than the two original pop tracks, Heaven on Earth and Sacrifice. Vocally, I find the new song to be decent, but not the best from the group. The instrumental sounds like a generic jazz piece with no substance to it. I’m getting a bit tired of Pentatonix releasing christmas music every year cause it wearing thin. I’ve been hoping for a new original pop album cause we haven’t got one since The Lucky Ones. I’m not sure what the other two new songs will bring to the table, but I hope they're better than this new one. 

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For us - &team

Last week, &team returned with a new single that I forgot to give my thoughts on. Synths open up the track, bringing in a smooth vibe with a thumping bassline. The performance from the group is enjoyable, working with the smooth instrumental. The chorus has been growing on me since it was released, as I wasn’t a big fan of it when it first released. I find the chorus to be much better than what I heard last week. The members have grown as vocalists, and this tune fits perfectly in the group's discography. I may not be the biggest fan of the song, but it’s still something that has been popping up on my rotation from time time. 

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FLUTE - ME:I

ME:I is back with a song from their Flower Road EP they released on August 3rd. Synths open up the track with clapping high hats that you hear throughout the instrumental. The vocals from the group are still as strong as in past releases. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the hook that has been getting stuck in my head. During the hook, we get synths that make a flute sound, which adds to the overall vibe. I love the snare drums in the second verse, switching things up a bit before we get a little bit of a rap. I will say this isn’t my overall favorite song from the group, but it's still an enjoyable one and one I can see myself listening to a lot. I’m glad ME:I is back with new music that continues to pull me in. 

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Lastfm Weekly Roundup (July 31st - August 6th)

Artist: Twice

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Album: HBK - Coogie

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Song: Hardwired (feat. Miranda Lambert) - Stephen Wilson jr.

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Hey, everyone, I hope you all had a good week. My first week back from vacation was really good, as we got some excellent releases. I've also been deep-diving into the 2000s band Taking Back Sunday, which has been a highlight of the week. I’m excited to share with you all what released this week, so let’s jump in and check out the songs. 

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Korean Releases of the Week:

July 26th

I Got Your Back (Feat. JISOO, MOMOKA of HANA) - ILLIT

ILLIT is back with a new Japanese single, teaming up with Jisoo and Momoka from Hana. The track goes for this pop-rock sound that blends wonderfully with the vocals. The ILLIT vocals are smooth, fitting with the guitar, which helps craft the melody. The hook has been growing on me the more I hear it. Jisoo and Momoka add to the overall vibe of the track, adding a sweet performance to the mix that works with the instrumental. I find that the new ILLIT single is one that is still growing on me the more I return to it. 

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July 28th

To Be Continued - QWER

Rock band QWER is back with a new Japanese single called To Be Continued. I enjoyed the group's first Japanese single Show Down, which has been on rotation since it was released. Synths and a guitar open up the track, bringing in that signature QWER sound that works so well with a J-rock vibe. The sweet vocals blend perfectly with the instrumental and the melody that keeps bringing me back for more. The hook is a catchy one that feels like it came right out of a J-rock tune, but still keeping that QWER sound. I do love the poppy elements that blend with the instruments, adding to the overall vibe. I’m glad QWER is starting to make Japanese songs cause the sound they do in Korea really fits the Japanese language wonderfully. 

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Seeker/Higher - ATEEZ

ATEEZ is back with two brand new Japanese songs. Seeker is the first new track from ATEEZ. A guitar opens up Seeker as it’s been something pulling me back for more. I love the rapping with the bass guitar as they both blend. The hook of Seeker is excellent as it moves at a fast pace, keeping the momentum from the opening. The second new song from ATEEZ is Higher. Higher opens up with Synths as smooth vocals come into the mix. The chill vibey instrumental fits perfectly with the vocals. The hook is one that pulled me right in during my first listen, as it is so smooth that it fits the overall vibe. I still think Higher has to grow on me more cause I’m finding that Seeker is a much better song, but that doesn’t mean Higher is bad. I will also say I’m loving the new Japanese songs more than what they did on the recent Golden Hour project. 

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July 29th

WE Just - LATENCY

LATENCY is back with a brand new single, which marks the first release without Hyujin, who was the band's drummer. From the start of the song, you can definitely hear the instruments much more, as it sounds like the band is actually playing them. The vocals are strong, fitting the poppy-rock sound that this band is delivering. I find the chorus to be a fun one that has been stuck in my head a lot this week. The guitars blend with the percussion, helping to bring in the poppy sound. We get a guitar solo that adds to the overall vibe, and the chorus gets even stronger as the song progresses. I love watching this band grow, and the new single does just that. 

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Lastfm Weekly Roundup (July 24th - July 30th)

Artist: Twice

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Album: Baby Cactus - Trade L

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Song: Bucket List (Feat Crush) - Trade L

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Hey everyone, I hope you all had a good week. I know my week was pretty good, but we did have a few rainy days. We did get some new releases this week from artists like NELKE, IVE, QWER, and others that helped brighten up the week. I’ll be talking about some of those releases from the week. Now before we hop into the episode, I wanted to mention that next weekend I’ll be in Florida for my vacation, but I’ll still be checking out the new releases when I have free time. Now let’s jump into the music and see what was released. 

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Korean Releases of the Week:

July 7th

Show Down - QWER

QWER is back with their debut Japanese single, which I’ve been excited to hear. Guitars and percussion open up the track, bringing in a rock sound that fits the members perfectly. The drums power through the instrumental, moving it forward. The hook is pretty strong as the members deliver some strong vocal moments. During the second verse, we get a bit of a trap vibe before the rock elements return to the mix. I do find that Show Down has that charm that a lot of QWER tracks bring to the table, which is one reason I love this group so much. 

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July 8th

LUCID DREAM (Shin Sakiura Remix) - IVE

Last week, Taku Takahashi delivered a remix of IVE’s Lucid Dream. Now Shin Sakiura delivers a new remix of Lucid Dream. Synths open up the track with a clapping effect in the background blending with the vocals. The instrumental has a disco vibe that transitions perfectly into the drop. During the drop section, it sounds like we get animal sound effects. I love how Shin Sakiura made this track funkier, as it works with the members. The drop during the chorus is catchy, as it’s been pulling me back for more. As much as I love the Shin Sakiura remix, I still think Taku Takahashi made the best remix. 

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Non-Korean Releases of the Week:

Echo - NELKE

One of my favorite Japanese bands, NELKE, released their album Limitless this week, giving us 4 tracks, with Echo being a new one. Guitars and percussion open up the track, bringing in a funkier, poppier rock sound. RIRIKO’s smooth voice blends perfectly with the instrumental that has been pulling me back for more. The other members of the band are fantastic, adding to the overall vibe. The hook is just as catchy as most NELKE songs. I love the piano that blends perfectly with the guitars and drums. The whole Limitless album has been on repeat since it dropped this week, and it’s making me want a longer project with 10 to 12 songs from this band. 

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Lastfm Weekly Roundup (July 3rd - July 9th)

Artist: Twice

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Album: Banks of Trinity - Cody Johnson

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Song: Bubble Gum (Feat Ksmartboi) - Trade l

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https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaivibFPe_Q/?hl=en

https://reddit.com/link/1ur4fdg/video/9v3u8tote2ch1/player

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Hey everyone, I hope you all had a great week and, if you live in the USA, a great 4th of July. I know my week was pretty good, as I’ve been getting a few things ready for my vacation that is coming up in 15 days. Also, this week I’ve continued my new Drama called See You at Work Tomorrow, which I’m really enjoying. We also got some pretty dope tunes this week that I’ve been dying ot tell you, guys, about. Now let’s jump into the music and see what the artists delivered. 

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Korean Releases of the Week:

June 29th

만찬가 - Taeyeon

Taeyeon is back with a new single in her Jpop remake series. For the first song, Taeyeon remakes Bansanka by tuki. The instrumental keeps that acoustic nature the original does, but this time the lyrics are in Korean. Taeyeon sounds fantastic, blending with the guitar and piano melody that brings this tune to life. The chorus has a pop-rock vibe that has been helping to pull me back for more. I’m excited for this remake series since I’m curious to see what other songs will be blessed with Taeyeon’s voice. 

https://preview.redd.it/o8rdzdsy09bh1.jpg?width=447&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=497c0929d317f15fb2623c2124137cf0c6ec171b

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July 1st

LUCID DREAM (Taku Takahashi Remix) - IVE

Back in May, IVE released their Lucid Dream album, and now Japanese producer ☆Taku Takahashi created a remix for it. Synths and strings open up the track as they bring in a slow groove during the 1st verse. As the song progresses, the instrumental grows more bouncy, blending with the vocals. The hook has a great synth section that brings in a magical vibe to that moment. I love that the producer added some killer sound effects throughout the song, enhancing the vibe he brought to the table. ☆Taku Takahashi did an excellent job taking an already fantastic tune and making it even more fantastic. I feel like this remix could play in a level of a video game. 

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July 4th

TT - Trade L

Rapper and Singer Trade L is back with a new single. Trade L has been very active this year, releasing features and new music after joining Ambiton Music. When Trade L left H1gher, I thought he was going Independent since he released Mr. Independent last year. Trade is now back with a new single, delivering two new tracks. The first track is TT featuring Wonstien. I will say this song is smooth, as Trade and Wonstien deliver smooth vocals that blend with the R&B-sounding vibe. Trade does some rapping that adds to the overall vibe. The second song on the single is Bubble Gum featuring ksmartboi. The instrumental goes for a more bouncy trap vibe than TT. The two artists on the track go for some slick rapping that adds to the vibe. Trade L has been putting out some great music since joining Ambition, as it’s been a nice addition to his already great discography. 

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Lastfm Weekly Roundup (June 26th - July 2nd)

Artist: Twice 

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Album: Banks of the Trinity - Cody Johnson

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Song: Shoot the Bull - Cody Johnson & Luke Combs

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Hey everyone, a few days ago, Cody Johnson released his new album. IK’m curious to see what the singer has in store for us with his new project. I like a few of the singer's tracks and wanted to see what he had for us. In this review, I’ll break down the artist, tell you what I think of his music, then look at the Singles/pre-release songs from the project before looking at the b-sides, and then give you my overall thoughts on the album as a whole. Now let’s jump in and check out the project. 

Now, let’s take a look at Cody Johnson, where I’ll tell you how I feel about the artist and his music before we jump into the new record. Before Cody got his major label debut, he released six independent albums. His first was Black and White label, which isn’t a bad debut as it showcases that he has talent. I do like the raw nature that the instrumentals and vocals have. His second independent album, Six Strings One Dream, released in 2009, is a step up from the debut, as the vocals and instrumentals sound much better than the debut. Finally Free might be my favorite from that album, with its 2000s-sounding instrumental and lyrics that are not that bad. Now moving into his 2016 record Gotta Be Me, his last independent album before signing to a major label. You can tell with that project that his music has gotten much better, and his voice sounds like the Cody we know now. In 2019, he released his first major label album called Ain’t Nothin’ to It, which has stronger production than his independent albums. I feel like his major label debut album is a more refined version of what he was doing with his independent releases. His 2021 album Human Night is his best work as it’s packed with emotion and excellent tracks that keep bringing me back for more. It’s hard to pick a favorite off the album since there are so many excellent tunes. Lether is his 2023 album and the record with Dirt Cheap, which I remember hearing on vacation. I remember checking out the song and becoming a big fan of it. Now, let’s jump into his new project and see what the artist delivered. 

The first taste of the album was with the track I Want You, and I’m happy that this track isn’t under 3 minutes. The track is fine, but it felt like the lyrics were a bit repetitive as he said I Want You over and over. Cody’s voice is really good on this song. I felt like the song didn’t really have a chorus or anything super memorable, but I don’t fully dislike the track. The second promotional single for the album was Hello Lonesome and it might be the best pre-release from the album. The reason I like Hello Lonely " is the vibe of the instrumental that helped me return to it more than " More Than I Want You. The chorus was another moment that kept pulling me back as it got stuck in my head. Fool Proof, which features the Brothers Osmonds, is my least favorite track pre-released. I didn’t really care for what the singers were singing about and felt more like a throwaway tune than anything else. Take Me Back (Leave Me There) was the final promotional single for the album, bringing in a bit of a sexy vibe. Take Me Back (Leave Me There) is still growing on me as I don’t think it’s his best, but it's not his worst. As June 15 rolled around, Cody finally released the lead single for the album called Horseback. Horseback has a pretty killer guitar melody that blends with the overall vibe. I like the vocals from Cody, and I feel like the hook could’ve been stronger. I will say I feel like Cody’s last two projects had way better promotional singles than this new one. I’m still curious to see what the b-sides will be bringing to the table. 

Now let’s move on to the B-sides of the project, which I find to be stronger than some of the pre-release material. Bible for a Boy is an excellent song, as I have a soft spot for Country music with Christian themes. Motel Miss You has a fun vibe that has been pulling me back for more. I love his vocals as they fit perfectly with the sweet instrumental. Shoot the Bull with Luke Combs has been on repeat for me since it released, and I find it to be way better than the Brothers Osmond Brothers' collaboration. Luke and Cody blend wonderfully together as they deliver back-and-forth vocals that keep the track interesting. Cricket on the Hook has an instrumental outro that lets the instruments shine. Time Bomb has a bit of a waltz vibe, which switches things up, and the harmonica adds to the overall vibe. Cody’s vocal performance might be one of my favorites on the album. Yippy Ty Oh Hey Hey is the closer for the record, written and produced by Cody, bringing in a raw vibe that helps end out the record in a terrific way. The b-sides on this album are much stronger as they are the ones I’ve been coming back to way more than what the singles delivered. 

Overall, I think this new album from Cody is one that is still growing on me with each listen. As much as I like this new record, I still find that Human is his best work with way stronger songs and singles that I still return to. Hello Lonesome is the best single from this new album, as it’s been stuck in my head since its release. As for the b-sides, I think Shoot the Bull with Luke Combs is my favorite as the two artists fit perfectly together, and I can’t stop having it on repeat. I still think this new album from Cody is pretty good, but not as strong as I wish he did more storytelling tunes, which I love much more from him. 

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Hey everyone, I hope you all had a great week. My week was pretty good, with a lot of songs being released this week that I wanted to talk about. This week, I also started the new drama See You at Work Tomorrow. I’ve been looking forward to this drama for a while. Now let’s jump into the music and see what was released this week. 

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Best of the Week:

Lemon Tang - The 2nd Mini Album - Hearts2Hearts

This week, SM girl group Hearts2Hearts returned with their second mini album, one I’ve had on repeat. Lemon Tang is the title track, which I enjoy, but I find the B-sides of this record to be much better, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Baby Steps and Heart Emoji have both been on repeat for me. I love how this album brings in a bright vibe with the synths and smooth vocals from the members. Another thing I love is the song Secret Recipe, which has a catchy chant that kept popping into my head this week. I feel like this record will be on repeat this whole summer, 'cause at the moment I can’t get this release out of my head. 

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Other Releases of the Week:

June 23rd

Hopping/My Wonder - Fifty Fifty

Fifty Fifty released two new tracks for the show See You At Work Tomorrow. Hopping is the first OST they released for the show, bringing in synths. The members sing in English over this pretty uninteresting instrumental, but it's not the worst thing I’ve heard. My Wonder is the second OST the group delivers, and another one that is decent, but not something I’m enjoying that much. The instrumental isn’t bad, but one that goes into a typical OST direction, not doing much to pull me back for more. I find these new OSTs from Fifty Fifty are ones I can listen to from time to time. 

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얼음공주/얼음공주 (English Ver.) - Hana

Hana released the third new OST, which was released with the Fifty Fifty tracks. The new song has a Korean version and an English version. The instrumental goes for a waltz-like vibe that blends with the singer's voice perfectly. I’ve been having this track on repeat this week cause it’s been one of my favorite OSTs from the show. I love the string section that fits the waltz-like vibe as the singer delivers sweet vocals. The English version is also sweet, just like the Korean version. Hana might have my favorite OST from the show, but we will have to see when the others are released. 

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June 24th

퇴근길 - MRCH

The track goes for this indie-pop sound with the acoustic guitar, which makes the listener feel relaxed as they listen. MRCH has some sweet vocals that blend with the guitar and piano melody that craft the overall vibe. I love how smooth the instrumental is, like something I would be listening to in the Spring or Autumn. Last time I heard a MRCH song, she was singing for Sejeong’s drama Brewing Love. I’m glad she is back with a new OST one that will be on repeat for me cause it’s so relaxing. 

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June 25th

Say It - Atheart

AtHeart is back with their 3rd new single of 2026. Shut Up was the first one that I didn’t like and felt like it was forgettable. Butterfly Doors was the second single they released, and a pretty good one that I’ve been coming back to a few times. Now we get Say It which might be the worst song from the group. What the producers did was sample the track Lovefool by The Cardigans. The producers didn’t even come up with an original melody for this group. The instrumental does have a nice groove to it, but the sampling of old 90s/2000s songs in Kpop feels overused at this point. The hook is almost the full chorus of Lovefool. The producers could’ve come up with a better melody to help this group develop its own identity, but it feels like the Plot Twist mini-album remains the group's strongest release so far.

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Non-Korean Releases of the Week:

Repeat it (2015 Version) - Martin Garrix & Ed Sheeran

Martin Garrix and Ed Sheeran are back, releasing the original 2015 version of their collaboration " Repeat It. Since the new version and the acoustic version have been out, I’ve been having it on repeat, but it also made me wonder what the 2015 version would sound like. The 2015 version sounds more EDM than the 2026 version, which feels more like EDM-pop. The vocals have an echo effect on them that feels a little different from the recent version. Before the chorus, we get a bit of instrumental as it builds up to the drop that pulls me right in. I find the chorus in the 2015 version to be a little better, but I still like the 2026 version. I will say I still like all the versions of the track and am happy that we got the 2015 version, which has a bit of a different vibe to it, but still works perfectly with Ed’s vocals. 

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Lastfm Weekly Roundup (June 19th - June 25th)

Artist: Twice

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Album: Lemon Tang - 2nd Mini Album - Hearts2Hearts

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Song: 15-Love - Hearts2Hearts

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Hey everyone, I hope you all had a good week. My week was pretty good, as we had some beautiful days outside that were a little hot. The music we got this week was pretty good, helping move the month forward. We are now moving into the summer season as schools let out and people start their summer vacations. Now is a great time to enjoy it. Now let’s jump into the music and see what the artists released this week. 

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Korean Releases of the Week:

June 14th

청춘의 일렉트로니카 ❍ 青春のエレクトロニカ (the Electronica of Youth) - Park Da Hye & MAKTUB

Back in 2025, Park Da Hye teamed up with MAKTUB for an excellent single. Now the two are back together for a new track in 2026. Guitars and percussion open up the track with the singer's smooth voice. I love the melody this song delivers, as it fits Da Hye’s voice perfectly and lets it shine. I find this new collaboration just as strong as last year's, but the hook in last year's song is a little stronger. I do love the guitar solo we get, which adds to the tune's overall vibe. 

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June 15th

Crow - (G)-IDLE

IDLE is back with a new single from their upcoming album. The track has this thumping instrumental that blends with the rapping. Soyeon raps on the track, which feels like a while since she rapped. I’m not a fan of Soyeon's singing voice, but her rapping voice is pretty fire. The other members do a decent job with the rapping/singing that adds to the overall vibe. The hook is decent, not my favorite section, as it sounds a little bit weak for me. I do like the softer moments with Minnie that switch things up a bit before the thumping instrumental returns. 

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Non-Korean Releases of the Week:

Repeat it (Acoustic Version) - Martin Garrix & Ed Sheeran

Back in May, EDM DJ Martin Garrix and Pop Singer Ed Sheeran released "Repeat It," which was made a long time ago. Now they release the acoustic version. The acoustic guitar helps give this track a different kind of vibe that feels more like an Ed Sheeran tune. Ed sounds fantastic on this version, fitting perfectly with the guitar. The stripped-down vibe still has that groove the original brought to the table. I still find the chorus catchy even if it’s more stripped down. The drop section gets stripped down, giving us a guitar solo that adds to the overall vibe. I hope we get the OG version soon because I’m curious to see what the track originally sounded like. 

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Lastfm Weekly Roundup (June 12th - June 18th)

Artist: Twice

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Album: Grateful - The Red Clay Stray

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Song: Grateful - The Red Clay Stray

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Hey everyone, I hope you all had a good week. I know my week was pretty good, with days that have been very hot outside. We did have some great music this week from artists like Yerin, Sakarazaka46, and many more. One thing I did this week was restart playing Brilliant Diamond for Pokèmon. Now let’s jump into the music and see what was released this week. 

⌎⊱⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⇲⊰⌏

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Best of the Week:

June 9th 

Reach You - Yerin

This week, former Gfriend member Yerin takes over my week with her newest project, Reach You. Even though this album doesn’t bring anything new to the table, the tracks fit her voice perfectly. Polaris opens the album well, but I wish it were a bit stronger. The title track, Shooting Star, and the b-side Spring Glow have production from PATEKO, who brings out the indie-pop-rock sound that works perfectly with Yerin’s voice. I find that this album has grown on me this week, as the songs are perfect for Yerin’s voice. I’m glad she could return with new music this week, and I’m excited to see what else she has in store for us. 

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Korean Releases of the Week:

June 10th

WYA (Where you at) (Feat. untell) - Jimin

Former AOA member Jimin is back with a new single, teaming up with untell. A guitar opens the track, blending with the trap elements and fitting the singer's smooth vocals. The hook has that average Soundtrap vibe, but it works for the singer. Until comes in with a pretty good verse, adding to the overall vibe. I wish this song were a little longer because it has some good elements that work for both artists, but I just wish there were more. 

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June 12th

Iconic By Mistake - Le SSERAFIM, ILLIT & Kateseye

Le SSERAFIM, ILLIT & Kateseye all team up for one of the worst things to come out of 2026 Kpop. Le SSERAFIM opens up the song, singing over this Aespa-sounding beat that doesn’t do anything for the track. Le SSERAFIM’s Vocals are annoying and uninteresting. The hook is pretty bland as they repeat the same cringy lyric over and over. ILLIT’s section is decent enough, not as great as the solo music they make. To make this track even worse, Kateseye has to deliver a section that made me turn the song off quickly, as I never liked anything they have done. The whole song sounds like a big mess, like nothing connects with each other, and everyone sounds so out of place together. I don’t think any Kpop song this year can get worse than this mess of a track. 

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Come Over - BTS

BTS officially released their CD-only track called Come Over on streaming this week. While I don’t think Arirang is the best BTS album, it has some songs I do enjoy. I find Come Over to be a little bit better, with some decent lyrics. The vocals do have effects on them, but they sound pretty smooth, working perfectly with the instrumental. I love the thumping guitar in the synth-heavy backing track. The chorus is a better one than what most of the album delivers. The rapping moments are actually good as they blend wonderfully with the vibe the producers are delivering. I find this new song ot be one of the better cuts from the Arirang era. 

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Non-Korean Releases of the Week:

FLiCK - NEK!

NEK! releases its major label debut, and I couldn’t be happier for them. Hika has a great voice that has helped pull me back to the band's music. The guitars and percussion come crashing into the mix as they pull me right into the vibe. Hika’s smooth voice fits this band perfectly, bringing the songs to life. The chorus still has that NEK! charm to it, which fits wonderfully in the band's discography. Cocoro does a great job with the drumming, bringing in a groove that blends perfectly with the guitars. I love the guitar solo that this tune adds to the mix, adding to the overall vibe of the instrumental. 

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Lastfm Weekly Roundup (June 5th - June 11th)

Artist: Twice

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Album: Grateful - The Red Clay Stray

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Song: Don’t Wanna Know - The Red Clay Stray

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Hey everyone, former Gfriend member Yerin returns today with her 4th mini-album. I’ve been excited to see what the project will bring to the table. I’ve found Yerin’s solo career interesting, as she dabbled in different styles with each of her releases. Let’s jump into this record and see what the artists will be bringing to the table. 

⌎⊱⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⇲⊰⌏

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Reach You - Yerin

1. Polaris

Synths and drum machines open up the track, bringing in a funky beat. The vocals from Yerin are pretty smooth, blending with the instrumental that helps to open up the album. The hook has been growing on me with each listen, but I felt like it could’ve been a bit stronger. I don’t mind the instrumental, but I felt like something could’ve been added to it to make this opener a bit stronger. I still love the performance Yerin brings to the table, helping to bring this tune to life and open up the project in a great way. 

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2. 조각별 (Prod. PATEKO)

The title track of the album has production from PATEKO, which helps give this tune its indie-pop-rock sound. Guitars open up the track as Yerin brings in her sweet vocals. The instrumental reminds me of something Yuju could sing. The pop-rock sound fits the performance wonderfully as it’s something I’ve been enjoying. I do feel like the chorus is a little flat, but it still fits with the overall vibe of the song, so I’m not upset about it. I’m glad we are getting a track where Yerin can sing in a natural tone instead of a Higher pitch that most Kpop songs have. The bridge is pleasant, adding to the vibe with the piano melody. Another thing I have to mention is that this title track is over 3 minutes, which makes me really happy.

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3. 춘곤 (春困) (Prod. PATEKO)

The third song on the album is the second track on the project with production from PATEKO. The indie vibe we heard in the title track continues in the song that follows. Yerin brings in sweet vocals that blend with the guitar and percussion. We still get an indie-pop-rock sound, but this time it’s a bit more melancholy. The instrumental keeps a chill pace that works with the singer's performance. The hook has this relaxing vibe that pulled me right into this tune during my first listen. The piano melody you can hear throughout the track is fantastic as it works wonderfully with the percussion and guitars. I do like the guitar solo we get in the song, which adds to the overall vibe. 

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4. Orbit

Orbit is the closing song on the album, bringing back the synths that we heard in the opener. The soft vocals from Yerin fit the instrumental as it has a bit of a groove to it. The synths during the pre-chorus have a magical feeling to them. The hook didn’t take long to pull me in as it fits perfectly with the vocals from the singer. I love how the instrumental keeps a chill vibe, but still delivers a bit of a groove. I find that Orbit does a good job ending out the album on a sweet note.

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Summary: Yerin is back with a new mini album, one that I’m enjoying a lot even if it’s not bringing anything new we haven’t heard before. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite album from Yerin since each one sounds so different and each one gets released a long time after the others. I will say Rewriting from 2024 is her most interesting project that I still come back to a lot. One thing I need to say is that Yerin needs to find a musical identity for her solo music, and by doing that, she needs to stay with a label for longer than one to two years. I’m curious to see what her label A-side will have in store for Yerin and her music and how long she will be staying with them. 

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Hey everyone, a few days ago, The Red Clay Strays released a new album called Greatful. Today I’m here to talk about the project. I’ll be breaking down the artist, the singles, the b-sides, and, at the end, giving you my overall thoughts on the album. Now let’s jump into the new project from thre band and see what they delivered. 

Back in 2024, I got into Country music thanks to Luke Combs, and I’ve enjoyed my time as a fan. One of my co-workers recommended that I check out The Red Clay Strays, saying it might be something I might like. The band's debut album, Moment of Truth, is a strong debut. Ghosts and Wondering Why are my two favorite songs that pulled me right into the band. I love the soul Brandon has; there's a lot of soul in his voice, and it feels like we are missing that in music. The band's second album, Made by These Moments, is my favorite album from the band. Drowning is my favorite track from the second album because it has so much soul that I keep coming back to it. Now the group is releasing a new album, which got me excited. 

The first single we got from this album was in 2025, called People Hating which I remember having on repeat last year. The thumping guitar in people hating is something that pulled me right into this single, never getting tired of hearing it. The second single released on Valentine's Day of 2026, called If I Didn’t Know You. The piano melody and the soulful vocals are a match made in heaven, making this a perfect single from this album. Demons in Your Choir was the final single, teaming the band with a gospel-sounding choir, which was a nice change of pace for this band. I love how the choir and Brandon’s voice fit perfectly together. I will say that out of all the singles If I Didn’t Know You is my most played. The singles from this album got me curious to see what the rest of the project is going to be.

Besides the singles, what else does this album deliver to the table? You get this personal and even gospel-sounding album. Don’t Wanna Know has a bluesy rock vibe to it, which has been pulling back for more over the weekend. The guitars and vocals are smooth to the point that this tune has been stuck in my head. Revival and Do Today are two examples where the album gets spiritual, which is something we’ve heard from the band before and something I don’t mind from them. I will say the lyrics in Revival spoke to me, reminding me of my journey with my own faith. Brandon’s vocals on Revival sound like he is singing a hymn as he brings in the emotion that keeps pulling me back. The live instrumentation of Can’t Fix You is a pretty dope one, but I find the production to be drowning out Brandon’s vocals, which made me like that song that much. I still find Can’t Fix You to be something I can listen to, but not outside the project. Do Today is a song I wanted to mention again cause it does a perfect job moving the album into the closer and title of the project. 

Overall, I feel like Greatful is an album that continues to grow on me as I’ve been listening to it a lot. While some of the lyrics feel uneven, I still find most of them enjoyable. Brandon does a fantastic job with his vocals, never making a track feel dull or uninteresting. The instrumentation is crafted wonderfully, showcasing this band as a rock and roll one, not a country one. I’m glad I discovered this band back in 2025 cause thwy breathe fresh air into my playlist and switch things up from my usual musical style. If I had to pick three songs I love from this album, it would have to be Down South, If I Didn’t Know You or Fool’s Gold. I will say this album might not be as good as the first two records, but it’s still a good one that has a lot of replay value for me. 

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Hey everyone, I hope you all had a great week. My week was pretty good, with beautiful weather and tunes that helped it move along. One thing I’ve been doing this week is deep diving into 2000s Kpop as it’s been a while since I did that. Also wanted to let you know I’m currently looking for my Summer anthem and album since we entered June, which feels like the start of Summer. Another thing I wanted to mention is that I’m adding a new section called Throwbacks of the week, which I’ll only be doing when it feels like I don’t have much to talk about on an episode. I thought it would be fun to do these and get to talk about old songs. Now let’s jump into the music and see what was released. 

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Korean Releases of the Week:

June 1st

Are We There Yet? - The Fix

Rock band The Fix is back with a three-track single album. We last saw the band release something back in 2024, so it’s nice to see them return with new music. High is the opening to the single album, bringing in synths that blend with the singer's voice. The crashing percussion has an echo effect to it, which adds to the overall vibe. The chorus is strong as it pulled me right in during my first listen. We do get some funky moments in High that blend with the rocky moments. 4:44 is the second song on the single and the shortest, coming in at 2:04 seconds. I do like the piano melody that 4:44 brings to the table, working with the slick vocals from the vocalist. The instrumental is crafted pretty well, but I just wish this b-side were much longer than what was delivered. Möbius is the final song on the single. Möbius brings in a drum and bass sound mixed with a rock vibe. The crashing guitars and percussion blend together, making this tune feel like something out of an anime opening. The Fix has returned with a single that has high quality prodution and something that I can return to. 

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June 4th

4WARD - Mamamoo

Mamamoo is back with a new release, delivering a new track with two remixes of it and an intro song. 4 Flowers is the new song from the group, bringing in a piano that fits perfectly with the guitar. The smooth vocals from that bring this funky-pop tune to life. The chorus sounds like the strongest thing we’ve heard from Mamamoo since 2019. The members deliver some excellent tones that add to the vibe, and the little rap from Moon Byul fits perfectly. We do get an acoustic remix of the track that strips it down. I love the acoustic nature of the instrumental delivery, with piano and guitar melodies that let the vocals shine even more. I find this acoustic remix just as strong as the original version. The final version we get of the song is a Latin remix, which I wasn’t excited to hear. The instrumental in the Latin remix is a bit generic, pulling the song down for me. Overall, I’m glad Mamamoo is back with something that I’m enjoying. 

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Throwbacks  of the Week:

숨이 차 - Seventeen

For the first throwback this week, we are looking at Getting Closer by Seventeen from their 2019 mini album YOU MADE MY DAWN'. Synths open up the track as smooth vocals from the members come into the mix. The rapping that opens up the song has vocal effects on it that add to the overall vibe. The hook has always been my favorite as I’ve been listening to this tune a lot since it was released. I always see myself coming back to this tune cause the group puts on a performance that keeps pulling me back for more. 

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Baby it’s You - Jojo 

The second throwback of the week goes to R&B singer Jojo with her 2000s track Baby It’s You. Hearing this song again takes me back to the 2000s era of R&B, which I remember listening to a lot when I was younger. Jojo has some great vocals on her debut album, which I return to whenever I’m in the mood for it. The hook still has that catchy factor that made me love this tune in the first place. I was listening to her debut album the other day, and it took me back to an era I’ve been missing a lot recently. 

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Lastfm Weekly Roundup (May 29th - June 4th)

Artist: Twice 

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Album: POP IS CRYIN’ - BewhY

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Song: Next Card - Aiscream

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Hey everyone, May is coming to a close, which means it’s time to take a look at what took over. May was a fantastic month for music, with so much to have on repeat. From NMIXX to ITY and even Zerobaseone. One thing I had on repeat that I didn’t expect was an Apple Music Live album by Lady Gaga reimagining her songs from Mayhem, which I didn’t expect to like. Perfect Crown also came to a close, which I enjoyed watching a lot. Now, let’s jump into May and see what took over. 

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Honorable Mentions Songs:

• 괜찮아 사랑이니까 - Nayeon
• LOUD - NMIXX
• Graffiti - Xikers
• Tangerine (Yuna Solo) - ITZY
• Lucid Dream - IVE
• WOULD YOU (feat. TARZZAN, WOOCHAN) - Taeyang
• 그런걸 왜 나한테 물어 - Gist & Suen

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Song: 그때 우리 지금 - I.O.I

The fifth song on the album is a ballad with co-writing credits from Chungha that takes over my May. I will say this ballad is the strongest thing that the album offers. I find the vocals stronger on this track, as they showcase how great a vocalist they are. The piano melody helped bring the emotion to life as each member delivered sweet vocals. Listening to this song feels like I stepped back in time as it keeps making me think of all my favorite moments in 3rd-gen K-pop. I remember the instrumental being so delicate that it made me tear up during the first time I heard it. This ballad is my favorite track on tof May, as it brought back memories of I.O.I and made me think about 3rd gen Kpop. 

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Honorable Mentions Albums:

• MOTTO - ITZY
• Heavy Serenade - NMIXX
• ROUTE ZERO : The ORA - Xikers
• Ascend- - Zerobaseone
• 수상한 사이 - Gist & Suen
• Sequence 01: Curiosity - AND2BLE

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Album: I.O.I 3rd MINI ALBUM (I.O.I : LOOP) - I.O.I

I.O.I was resurrected this month, releasing a new mini album that I never expected.  I.O.I is the first group to ever come out of the Producer series. When I.O.I was around in 2016, I remember listening to their music like crazy as they had some excellent tunes like Very Very Very and Dream Girls. I felt unreal that the group returned this month with new music. IOI (Where My Girls At) opens up the project with a strong vibe as it pulled me right in during my first listen and stayed on rotation throughout the month. SPF 100+ (Summer Pop Fantasy) was the summer song of the album with its bright tropical production that I actually liked. 그때 우리 지금 was the ballad of the album and the track that took over my month. We did get a track that was recorded in 2016, but not released until now, and it’s dope to hear Kang Mina and  Kyulkyung even though they were not in the rest of the album because of schedule conflicts. 

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Non-Korean Release Honorable Mentions:

• Chapter - NELKE
• Kokoro no buranko - Hinatazaka46
• Apple Music Live: MAYHEM Requiem - Lady Gaga
• Extra Mile - Clayton Johnson
• Technicolor - Jia
• Next Card - AiScReam

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Song: Repeat It - Martin Garrix & Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran teams up with EDM DJ Martin Garrix for a song that was created 10 years ago. I never expected these two artists to collaborate, but they did, and this song is my favorite from May. The synth blends with the vocals from Ed that have an atmospheric vibe to them, which I’ve been enjoying like crazy. The acoustic guitar blends with the synth-pop nature of the instrumental. The acoustic guitar gets me excited for the acoustic version that they plan to release. The hook has been growing on me the more I hear this track. The drop after the chorus is quite effective, fitting well with the song's momentum. I didn’t expect Ed to fit so well with Martin Garrix's production.

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Hey everyone, during the Month of May, I’ve been looking at underrated songs from my favorite artists. Today I’m taking a look at John Mayer. Today, I wanted to ask you guys what songs from Each Era you think are underrated. Please pick 3 to 4 songs from Each Era you find Underrated. Down below, I’ll post my list. I’m excited to see what you guys pick.

Room For Square Era:

• City Love
• 83
• Not Myself

Heavier Things Era:

• New Deep
• Come Back to Bed
• Wheel

Continuum Era:

• Stop This Train
• Bold As Love
• The Heart of Life

Battle Studies Era:

• Assasian
• War of My Life
• Friends, Lover, or Nothing

Born & Raised Era:

• Born & Raised
• Whiskey Whiskey Whiskey
• Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967
• Go Easy on Me

Paradise Valley Era:

• Badge & Gun
• I Will Be Found (Lost at Sea)
• Waiting on the Day

The Search for Everything Era:

• You're Gonna Live Forever in Me
• Rosie
• Roll it On Home

Sob Rock Era:

• Shouldn't Matter but It Does
• Til the Right One Comes
• All I Want Is to Be with You

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Hey everyone, I hope you all had a good week. My week was pretty good, as we had some killer music releases from Xikers, ITZY, Zerobaseone, and I.O.I, which I’ve had on repeat this week. We did have some hot days that felt way too hot for their own good. Now let’s jump into the music and see what was released this week. 

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Best of The Week:

Tangerine (Yuna Solo) - ITZY

Back in March, we received the first mini-album from Yuna, which is still on repeat for me. Now, this week, we got a Yuna solo on the ITZY album.  I will say this again, Yuna took me to cloud 9 with this solo. I still love everything about this song, even after hearing it a handful of times this week. from the synths that craft this 80s-pop sound to the vocals that Yuna delivers. The synths in this solo go crazy, as I didn’t expect them to go that hard. The chorus, one moment, that hit my soul. The synths are packed into the instrument, delivering this groove that is perfection. One thing we get on this song is a synth solo that adds to the overall vibe, hitting just as hard. Yuna does a fantastic job with her new solo that has been on repeat for me. 

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Korean Releases of the Week:

May 17th

너의 이름을 - Park Da Hye

Park Da Hye is back with a new single that opens up with a piano melody. The vocals from Park Da Hye are excellent as she has become one of my favorite vocalists. I love the sweet nature that the instrumental and vocals bring to the table, bringing this song to life. The hook has a nostalgic vibe that has pulled me back for more. I’ve been listening to it a few times this week, as I’ve been enjoying this song a lot. 

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May 20th

Lucid Dream - IVE

IVE is back with another pre-release for their new Japanese album. The first pre-release was Fashion, but that track was too short for it to develop into anything. Lucid Dream is much longer, with synths opening up the tune. The bouncy trap instrumental blends with the member's vocals. The instrumental introduces a groove that I find perfect for the group's overall sound. The hook has grown on me since the first time I heard it; I didn’t care for it at first. I’m not sure this track is my favorite Japanese song from IVE, but it’s one that still works perfectly for the group. 

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Non-Korean Releases of the Week:

Ate! - GPP

SM Entertainment's Japanese girl group GPP is back with a new single. Synths open up the track, bringing in an electro-pop vibe that works with the vocals from the members. The hook section is something that is still growing on me, as I’m not sure I’m enjoying it that much. We do get a rap section that is pretty decent, adding to the overall vibe of the instrumental. I don’t dislike ATE!, but I feel like the group's debut was a little bit better than this new single. 

Lastfm Weekly Roundup (May 15th - May 21st)

Artist: Twice

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Album: Motto - ITZY

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Song: Asylum (Lia) - ITZY

Hey everyone on the Coldplay Reddit. Today, I wanted to ask you guys what songs from Each Era you think are underrated. Please pick 3 to 4 songs from Each Era you find Underrated. Down below, I’ll post my list. I’m excited to see what you guys pick.

Paracute Era:

• For You
• Help Is Around the Corner 
• Brothers & Sisters (From Trouble (b-side) - Single)

A Rush of Blood To The Head Era:

• Green Eyes
• One I Love
• 1.36
• I Ran Away

X&Y Era:

• Things I Don’t Understand
• Proof
• World Turned Upside Down

Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends Era:

• The Goldrush
• A Spell a Rebel Yell
• Rainy Day
• Glass of Water

Mylo Xyloto Era:

• Moving to Mars
• U.F.O.
• Major Minus

Ghost Story Era:

• Ghost Story
• All My Friends
• Miracles

A Head Full of Dreams/Kaleidoscope Era:

• A L I E N S
• Miracles (Someone Special)
• Birds
• Amazing Day

Everyday Life Era:

• Broken
• Flags
• Daddy
• Church

Music of the Sphere Era:

• People of the Pride
• Humankind
• Coloratura

Moon Music:

• The Karate Kid
• Man in the Moon
• IAAM
• Good Feelings