My first five albums down! Edit: Updating this with reviews because I miss that so much.
Chill Kill
Artist: Red Velvet
Year: 2023
Favourite Tracks: Chill Kill, Knock Knock (Who's There?), Underwater, Nightmare, Iced Coffee, One Kiss
Do they ever miss? Okay, yeah sometimes but not here! Not wth full albums! While this is my least favourite of their full length releases, it's just as lush and gorgeous as ever. They (especially Seulgi and Wendy ofc!!) sound magical. I do wish it had grabbed me a little more but we can't all be The Red and Perfect Velvet, now can we? 'Iced Coffee' is my top pick here I think.
BORN TO BE
Artist: ITZY
Year: 2024
Favourite Tracks: Untouchable, Mr. Vampire, Crown On My Head, Mine, Yes But
Why is it that the solo b-sides hit harder than most of the group ones? The girls really made an impact with solos that felt like they represented each of them so well. I'm glad even Lia got to have one despite not taking part in this comeback. I'm biased (heh) but 'Yes, But' is my favourite despite the silly name. It's nice to have a pretty stellar ITZY title track too, but 'Mr. Vampire' is probably the best song here. Maybe it's too lowkey for a title track but I would have supported it.
The Last Songs I'll Write About You (for real)
Artist: Blü Eyes
Year: 2023
Favourite Tracks: Street Noise, How Dare You?, Friends With Benefits, Who I Am Without You, The Last Song, Ruin My Life
I love myself a clearly Taylor Swift inspired indie pop girlie. Last year I came across 'Who I Am Without You' on TikTok and fell in love with it, especially that stunning bridge. I never got around to checking out much else until I randomly decided dive in this year and I'm so glad I did. This album came at a good time for me, as a lot of the songs tackle the breakdown of a friendship and losing that. It was quite healing to listen to. 'How Dare You?', 'Friends With Benefits' & 'Ruin My Life' really got me through my backsliding feelings about the breakup of a 10+ year old friendship of mine. The song that makes the biggest impact to me is 'The Last Song'. The way it's softer at the beginning, thoughtful and emotive (while still being nicely pop-y) but builds until the bridge feels like a euphoric expelling of built up anger. She really does craft bridges very well. I love her melodies. It's a shame UMG is messing TikTok up so much because without it I wouldn't have discovered this album.
Alchemical: Volume 1
Artist: Dove Cameron
Year: 2023
Favourite Tracks: Boyfriend
This was bad.
2
Artist: (G)I-DLE
Year: 2024
Favourite Tracks: Super Lady, Revenge, Doll, 7Days, Wife
Yeah, yeah. I know. I didn't used to be a (G)I-DLE enjoyer. It's funny how once they started falling out of favour on the Kpop subforum, that's when something clicked for me. 'Tomboy', 'Nxde' and 'Queencard' are all 10/10s in my book. I have even seen the light on older title tracks that didn't click with me before. I officially stan. Even enough to check out their mini albums (I also own some Yuqi photocards). God, this is great. Even the songs not included in my highlights section are fantastic. The one-two punch of 'Revenge' and 'Doll' being two of my favourite b-sides of the year so far! '7Days' being a gorgeous sweet little song! 'Wife' completely hitting despite it's silliness! I feel fed.
