♬♬ K-Pop Producer Spotlight Rate : #1 & #2 (LIKE A FINALE) ♬♬

[Attis]

Something I love to do

































9.067
Composed by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
Arranged by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
#35 - #35 - #18

BOP : Me @junglefish @codecat @thommyh @Crisp X @Wills @Slice of Life @ysev (10)
FLOP : @enjoy @Remorque (7)
PICKED BY : @ysev @Crisp X (#4), @codecat (#7)


You ain't the one to talk about taste when you trash this @Remorque !

Daydream is very e.one and you can always tell from their style of productions, which I've reiterated for many times. Daydream feels very WJSN, but they take it even further and inject it with more steroid. However, instead twisting every melodies, the melody in here is more seamless and neat. The production sounds more modern and I can kinda see it as a predecessor for more hectic e.one song in the future a la MVSK.

The other thing I rarely talk about why I also love e.one composition is how they rarely rely on intricate vocal productions and let the "normal" sounding vocals come through. With Daydream and other countless WJSN / April b-sides, they let their clients shine through and push them for greatness. Heck, even they manage to let Twice not sing in higher, uncomfortable key or aegyo-fied style vocals in You In My Heart. I truly hope other producers can follow them through, instead y'know following the doorstep of a certain hype company.

Anyway, my long-ass rant is actually a deflection for how short my actual commentary and how none of you sent any commentaries. Oh well.





There will be another 4-way tie in #14. The perks of low participant rate.
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[Attis]

That's the







































9.083
Composed by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
Arranged by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
#40 - #30 - #14

BOP : @Slice of Life @enjoy @Ana Raquel @Crisp X @junglefish @thommyh @ysev (10)
FLOP : @RUNAWAY (7) Me (7.5)
PICKED BY : @Crisp X (#3), @Ana Raquel (#5)


IZ*One final offerings begin to crumble, leaving the superior Mise-en-scene as the last standing. Correct choice, everyone !

Yeah I don't really like Sequence. It's competently produced and probably one of the most complex e.one compositions. I also like how it is more faithful to the funk / disco sound, but something is still missing. My least favorite part is the pre-chorus hook where they pull that anti-drop sound, something that has been popularized by Charli Puthy and co. It's very hit-or-miss and for this one, it's fall into miss territory. Something like that can be countered by bombastic chorus, but the chorus in Sequence isn't exciting. I don't know, the whole song is just unappealing and dull to me after several plays.

IZ*One hater @Wills praises it : "See, where was THIS all along?? Tremendous!" while @codecat pulls a sabotage : "In other circumstances I would bump this up because I love it but this song is so overrated by you girls that it makes me wanna tug at its wig a bit" so true bestie.




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[Remorque]

Daydream is lovely see?, but rating it against the rest of this top 20, it just doesn't reach quite the highs of what's left. And me "tanking" it with a 7? Gurl. I could've tanked a smidge further, n'est-ce pas?

As for Sequence... IZ*ONE hold such a soft spot in my heart for how much I feel for these girls... It's quite great, but Mise-en-Scene is most definitely the correct song to go the farthest.

 

[Attis]

Poor these low-tier queens































































9.083
Composed by : Gloryface (Full8loom) •Jinri (Full8loom) •Jake K (ARTiffect)
Arranged by : Gloryface (Full8loom) •Jake K (ARTiffect)
#21 - #12 - #14

BOP : @thommyh @Slice of Life @Ana Raquel @codecat @Remorque (10)
FLOP : @enjoy @FunkyButChic Me (8)
PICKED BY : @thommyh (#2), @Ana Raquel (#7), @ysev (#9)


The competition is getting more stiff, even with 8 as the lowest score Iron Boy can't break into Top 10. Still, good job ladies for the good fight. We also kinda miss you so maybe a comeback please ?

The debut of Weki Meki is very confusing. In one side, they have connections and resources to produce songs as good as Iron Boy or Metronome. But they still are pushing for abysmal mish-mash collection of nightmares such as I Don't Like Your Girlfriend, which to this day I still believe dooms their future.

Iron Boy is one of their many collaborations with Full8loom and one with the strongest taste of Full8loom. The signature synth-wave sound, super funky arrangement with both digital and traditional bass intertwined, the Mario Kart Rainbow Road vibes of it all, complete with that synths breakdown. Ugh.

The only weakness of Iron Boy is sadly in the chorus, suffers the same fate as the previously eliminated Sequence. It's not really strong and felt very flat, without a strong melody hook to anchor it. The robotic-whisper hook is iconic tho.

@thommyh said the c word : "This is still their best song for me. This song has just the perfect amount of cuntiness added to it." while @codecat get into the fantasy : "In my fantasy I am riding a purple sparkly bike into outer space cosmically in slo mo while this plays on" Exactly exactly ! Closing statement from @Slice of Life which echoes our hope : "i miss u my girls T_____T" :'((( Fantagio you can't just give Lua her yassification and then dips like that !





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[FunkyButChic]

I've always been more of a Color Me stan.



That whole mini was full of bops. Easily their best one.

 

[thommyh]

Noooo this should've been top 10!

God I miss them. Fantagio staff are not seeing heaven.

 

[Remorque]

I was legit rooting for Iron Boy to get top 5, after losing my 11.

Alas...

Each and every time those 80s synths hit me? My wig needs to be adjusted.

 

[Attis]

Feeling generous, maybe gonna eliminate 2 tracks today idk






























































9.083
Composed by : Gloryface (Full8loom) •Jinri (Full8loom)
Arranged by : Gloryface (Full8loom)
#15 - #13 - #14

BOP : Me @enjoy @Wills @Slice of Life @nikkysan @thommyh (10)
FLOP : @Remorque (7.75)
PICKED BY : @enjoy (#1), @thommyh (#7)


Full8loom camp lose again and it's pretty interesting how similar Luckitty-cat with the previously eliminated track, Iron Boy. Both of them have that space-disco quality into it with similar upbeat energy. However, there is still slight difference into it with Iron Boy leans into serving "cunt" , while Luckitty-cat takes a brighter and cheerful tone while serving that "cunt". I also like the chorus more here, particularly at the final chorus where Yeonjung / Soobin provides ad-lib alongside that slinky hooks.






Next elimination will be the last #14 and somebody gives it a 11.

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[Attis]

Eh let's just get over this with










































9.067
Composed by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
Arranged by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
#9 - #8 - #14

BOP : @ysev (11) Me @codecat @thommyh @enjoy (10)
FLOP : @Wills (6.5 , fuck you)
PICKED BY : @ysev (#2), @enjoy (#4)


This is still a good spot but I'm still mad, Mise-en-Scene should've been higher and on Top 10. Like can't you see the brilliance of it all ?

Mise-en-Scene is like the peak of e.one creation, a pop machine output that has been taken care and loved so much, it transcends into a fine art itself. The production is mesmerizingly stellar and showcases e.one evolution, which also can be seen / influenced by their peer Full8loom. The attention to detail, more electronic sonic palette, an intricate bass movement, this is like a newer evolution of e.one that I'm excited to see in the future.

The melody of Mise-en-Scene is out of this world too. e.one has a way with how they write melody, but this time it sounds more seamless and catchy. Especially that stop before chorus while that magical line is uttered :

neowa namane Mise-en-Scene

Talented, brilliant, amazing, showstopping,etc. The chorus is no joke either, so memorable and dramatic. Aah simply genius work.

We will begin with commentary from foul-mouthed @Wills : "There are some hints of e.one's usual majesty here, but they're hamstrung by the refusal to commit to a musical idea for more than 5 seconds at a time" I'll pray for you Kathy, you and your disgusting mouth.

Anyway, let me be positive. This is me and my fellas being positive. From @codecat : "This entire mini...IZ*ONE I miss you and your amazing concept + A&R" them + fromis_9 + WJSN + Lovelyz just understood it so well. Last speech from @ysev : "This is the second time I’m giving this song my 11. It’s just peak cosmic/magical/sparkle music to me. So mysterious and enchanting. And the title is so fitting because just like a movie the song SLOWLY builds a world of its own. The song is allowed to breathe. Yup yup… top 10 k-pop if you ask me!“ W OPINION !




Here's the 4K version of the brilliant title track itself, Panorama so you can watch Hitomi's tears real close.



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[codecat]

@Wills..............let's get her

 

[Remorque]

I actually should've scored Luckity-cat a little higher and I should have given Mise-en-Scène a fucking 10. It's great and the mini it's lifted from was fantastic from start to finish. Yes, I've said it.

IZ*ONE, you are sorely missed.

The way I keep bopping to their bops...

 

[Attis]

Han georeum closer nae mam





































9.083
Composed by : SEION • Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
Arranged by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
#26 - #8 - #12

BOP : Me @Slice of Life @Wills @codecat @Ana Raquel @enjoy @RUNAWAY (10)
FLOP : @soratami (7) @Remorque (7.25)
PICKED BY : @enjoy, @codecat (#6)


Did you know that there are 2 disco songs under the #12 boulevard ?

And one of them is the brilliant Close To You. This is probably the finest e.one disco song for me. It's just very pretty, pure, simple pop that somehow Lovelyz still manages to elevate above it all. The melody is straightforward, yet you just never get bored with it. I absolutely adore how the middle 8 shows up at the beginning and being used again as the bridge, but they put up more intensity by playing with chord progressions. Utterly beautiful and clever.

The only comment comes from @codecat : "Right from the beginning I feel like a bright new world is opening up for me as I listen to this – one of those songs that make you believe in the future!" You just get it right, your mind it amazes me sometimes.

Idk why I can't find the song only video.


Support local business btw

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[Attis]

Queen you should made it further aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh


















































9.083
Composed by : 1Piece
Arranged by : 1Piece
#3 - #1 - #12

BOP : Me @enjoy @codecat @Slice of Life @Ana Raquel @junglefish @RUNAWAY @FunkyButChic @Remorque (10)
FLOP : @ysev (6.5) @Wills (6.75)
PICKED BY : @FunkyButChic (#3), @Ana Raquel (#8)


Can you believe this could've been our winner until some dimwits drag it into #12 ? I could and honestly I'm rooting so hard because it will be pretty gaggy winner. Oh well, another win for the ageism community.

Dreamer seems like 1Piece straying away from their usual bright, sparkling synth sound. However, looking into the past works of the founder Yoon Sang, it's easy to understand how this elegant disco is right on their arsenal. Dreamer may be disco, but at its core it evoke stronger 90s K-pop feeling, especially with the strong jazz undertones. It's very suitable for Uhm Jung Hwa, arguably the Madonna of K-Pop (sorry BoA), to harken back into her prime era while simultaneously elevates it with better production.

I must say Uhm Jung Hwa vocals are very acquired taste nn. She's not really the strongest and her tone can be off-putting at first, but I think she delivers the performance very well in Dreamer. The desperation and drama is delivered, enhancing the gorgeously long chorus. Yes long chorus, imagine how rare it is these days with the advent of TikTok. Can these new producers understand the importance of chorus ? Can we recover from the mass short attention span ? Am I starting to become boomer-like ?

The production of Dreamer is also very lovely. Instead of going full throttle like other disco revivalism, it takes a more understated approach and glides elegantly, unwrapping the beauty slowly. The strings isn't overwhelming yet still enhance the mood. Aah this is how you do disco, young children better learn.

@codecat has an epiphany : "My favorite rate discovery! Beautiful" while @Slice of Life declares : "KWEEN!!!!". As a long-time Asianboo Asian pop enjoyer like me, @FunkyButChic reminisce : "Oh to be a South Korean gay hearing that Uhm Junghwa and Yoon Sang were collaborating again and then getting this masterpiece." Confession time, I'm truly happy in this forum I can find friends and members who has been enjoying Asian music, from Korea to Japan, for a long time. Nowadays new members in many forums including here don't even know Namie Amuro, Uhm Jung Hwa or even SNSD smh.













I'm truly completely a boomer now.










My favorite oldies from Uhm Jung Hwa, thank you for @Ana Raquel rate !

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[FunkyButChic]

Not even making top 3 is RIDICULOUS. That's mother show her some respect!!

 

[Attis]

Last but not least


















































9.133
Composed by : 1Piece
Arranged by : 1Piece
#1 - #22 - #11

BOP : @FunkyButChic @Remorque @codecat @Crisp X @ysev @Slice of Life @thommyh Me (10)
FLOP : @enjoy (6)
PICKED BY : @Crisp X (#1)


Kii to think that Getaway could've been our winner if only it stays with the first 5 voters. Gagged, for sure. Not that I think Getaway is a bad song, it's just not truly something I would expect from a winner. A very off-kilter, quirky pick tbh.

Like I already said in Lovelyz Discography Rate, Getaway draws closer comparison with f(x)'s Sweet Witches. Both derives from the shibuya-kei sound but taken with different approach. Sweet Witches up the quirky element to the next level and the synths are more static. Getaway modernizes the production, giving it more nuanced and delicate production with gentle yet driving bass. The structure is stronger and more playful, with the weirdly creepy sing-talking moment is balanced with groovy chorus. It's probably closer to the original shibuya-kei (or at least what my limited ears know) which is heavily jazz-y and sentimental. Definitely one of the most underrated gems in K-pop musical history tbh, hope someday it can somehow get viral a la Humming Urban Stereo's Banana Shake.




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[Attis]

TOP 10

Cupid

MVSK

Destiny

I (knew it)

Dreams Come True
New Me
Save Me, Save You
Secret
You, You, You

I Feel You





Sorry no fancy graphics and too lazy to edit Kep1er picture Surprised ? Any sneak ? Is the payola domination of WJSN too much ? We'll find out next week as we will eliminate 7 songs. For now, I will go on a little vacation to Kuala Lumpur. Sampai jumpa ladies !

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[junglefish]

Surprised and delighted I (knew it) hasn't been eliminated yet! Really happy about Cupid too.

I'd say MVSK can leave anytime now as well as one or two WJSN songs, just for the sake of variety.

 

[Slice of Life]

Remaining scores:
11 x 1
10 x 7
9.5 x 1
8.5 x 1

A very slayful top 10, I have to say! ♡

 

[Remorque]

These past few eliminations... Whew!

I really wish Dreamer had gotten top 10 and Getaway was a nice surprise for having gotten so far.

What a solid top 10 too!

 

[Attis]

Whoops a week after what I've promised, so sorry bout that. Let's start our Top 10
















































9.2
Composed by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
Arranged by : Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)
#3 - #8 - #10

BOP : Me @Remorque @enjoy @Ana Raquel @thommyh @ysev @codecat (10)
FLOP : @RUNAWAY (6.5)
PICKED BY : @enjoy (#2), @thommyh (#3), @codecat (#4), @Ana Raquel (#5)

Some of you has been wanting this elimination in KSOTY thread, well you got it but in the wrong rate instead.

MVSK came out like an oasis in the dire situation of Kep1er debut. While they busy pushing the narrative to become second rate ITZY, MVSK delivers something that I hope for them which basically means doing the IZ*One / WJSN stuff. I remember when it was released, some of you are doubting it and calling MVSK messy. To me, this shows an evolution and point of convergence between two of our favorite producers e.one & Full8loom. I kinda touch this subject before in Mise en Scene elimination, but so far into their career e.one production has become too streamlined and predictable. MVSK saw them elevate their sound by taking inspiration from their fellow producers, utilizing more modern electronic sounds, particularly gay music house and EDM.

Besides the brilliant producer, the melody composition is also very great and airtight, with almost every part of the songs are utilized as hooks. The opening line is so cunty and full of confidence, the pre-chorus are ethereal and varied between the first and second, and that chorus ! MASK ! Yass scream and command your truth Queens ! And then the crazy instrumental breakdown, ugh it's just so good.

@codecat once again understood the assignment : "An outstanding evolution of the e.one sound into a more electronic, hard hitting 4th gen – I wish we had more of this!!" while @Wills was a bit pessimistic : "If this ends up being the best they've got in them, that'll be good enough!" Don't worry they now also have Together Forever and Back In The City (and We Fresh).



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