15 Favorite Title Tracks Of 2016

It dawned on me as I was making this list just how many good songs were released this year. I never had the thought that 2016 would be such a good year musically as the year was passing, however in hindsight I can definitely say there's been many great releases. Additionally I did notice that compared to my "K-pop 2015" playlist there are many more tracks on this years', which also tells me that 2016 did deliver in that aspect. Like last year I'm going to make a separate post for title tracks and b-sides, just because it would be too difficult to cram the two into one ranking, as well as expanding the list to 15 tracks instead of 10. I listen to way too much music, basically. Let's go!


Red Velvet - Russian Roulette

Funnily enough I wasn't much into the song at all when I first listened to it, but after hearing it a few times I couldn't get it out of my head. I love the electronica-infused bubblegum-pop sound and the chorus is incredibly infectious.

NCT U - Without You

Every once in a while a song comes along that at first listen has an impact big enough for you to feel your life slightly changing. That was what happened with this track as it from the beginning made me feel something completely new and different, truly feeling every note deep inside my heart.

Produce 101 - In The Same Place

Out of all the songs B1A4's Jinyoung has produced for girl groups this year (and you will see many more, I promise) this one is my absolute favorite. It's sweet and feminine but at the same time mature, heartfelt and absolutely stunning.

Luna - Free Somebody

When a group member goes solo you always wonder what direction they will go musically, and boy am I happy that Luna didn't go down the ballad route but instead chose to show off her vocals in this dance track. Such a good song.

Taeyeon - Why

I didn't exactly love this at first either but after a while it did become my favorite song of the summer, with it's EDM-influences and dance-friendly sound. It's a new genre for Taeyeon and she pulls it off just as flawlessly as one would expect.

Block B - Toy

Another song that might have flown slightly under the radar this year is Block B's "Toy", and it almost did to me too had I not heard it live at Kcon. It's a really chill track with great rapping (as one would expect), great lyrics and heartfelt vocals sung to a beautiful melody.

BTS - Blood, Sweat & Tears

You wouldn't expect a BTS song not to be here, right? It's almost as if everything they touch turn to gold, which was proven once again with their comeback this past October. It does have a different sound from their past work but they pull it off amazingly.

I.O.I - Whatta Man

I know that this song was sampled and thus isn't exactly a new, original song, but the arrangement of "Whatta Man" did kind of blow me out of the water. The power, attitude and fierceness is real with this track and I love every bit of it.

GFriend - Rough

It was difficult to chose between this song and "Navillera" as both were great tracks, but I think that at first listen I liked "Rough" a tiny bit better. It's a song that's very "GFriend-esque" but showcased a slightly more mature sound to round up their successful schoolgirl trilogy.

B.A.P - Skydive

"Skydive" provided me with the kind of content I've been wanting to see from B.A.P since like 2013, and that's not an exaggeration. I absolutely love the song and its raw power and force, with great rapping, vocals and a chorus that gets to me every listen.

EXO - Monster

Here as well I found it hard to pick between "Monster" and their other fantastic title track "Lucky One". However this one came out on top due to it being slightly more powerful, with a chorus that hits so hard it's impossible to forget.

Monsta X - Fighter

With Monsta X I once again had to choose between the two great title tracks they've released this year, but as much as I loved "All In" as a comeback I actually liked and listened to "Fighter" more, at least when looking at my top hits of 2016 on Spotify.

WJSN - Secret

This comeback did kind of come out of nowhere in the sense that I didn't expect it to be of such high quality. The title "Secret" isn't groundbreaking or without flaw but it still stuck on me and I have been listening to it countless times since it came out.

Boa & Beenzino - No Matter What

SM's "Station" project did provide some great material throughout 2016, but my absolute favorite has to be this electro-pop track by BoA and Beenzino. It has a very fresh and modern sound that I could definitely see being popular even in the US and Europe.

Dal Shabet - Someone Like U

Last but not least we have arguably the most underappreciated jam of 2016; Dal Shabet's "Someone Like U". It's a great 80's influenced pop track with a catchy melody and vocals. I do wish they would've gained some more fame with it because the song is that awesome.

Honorable mentions:

GFriend - Navillera

EXO - Lucky one
Taemin - Drip Drop
K.A.R.D - Oh NaNa

I.O.I - Very very very

Day6 - Letting go

Berry Good - Don't believe 

SHINee - Tell me what to do

BTS - Fire
Monsta X - All In

Song(s) of the Week #61

For the next few weeks I will include more than one song in this segment simply because there are so many songs I want to include that I didn't for the 10 weeks or so I didn't post anything on here. For that reason this week there will be multiple songs from various groups and possibly a few special videos as well. So until I get back on track with my posting you'll just have to endure this messy phase, but I hope it'll be enjoyable nonetheless.

Taemin - Soldier


This song is just so beautiful, and although Taemin's vocals aren't the very best he manages to pull off this quite challenging song in a lovely way, making use of his breathy vocals to convey the emotional message. "Soldier" is definitely one of those songs you hear and instantly love, and the fact that he wrote the lyrics all by himself makes it even more touching.

Astro - Innocent Love


I decided to listen to Astro's debut mini album since I liked their debut song, but I didn't know I would stumble upon this gorgeous ballad. For me, as you know, I either love a ballad or I find it extremely boring, and this one I can't get enough of. I don't know exactly what it is about it that makes it so, but the vocals are fantastic and it has a melody that's just the right amount of emotional.

Fiestar - A Sip Of Lips


My first reaction upon hearing this song was that it sounded nothing like any other song I had heard in K-pop before, and that in a good way. I don't really know how to describe the music and style either because it's so different, but I can say that it is a very sensual and sultry track that's quite subdued, and that it has a melody and hook that instantly catches you.

Oh My Girl - One Step Two Steps


"One Step Two Steps" went from being a pre-release single to a follow-up single, and I can't say that I'm complaining about the exposure of this song because it's a really great one. Composed by labelmate Jinyoung of B1A4 (who's gaining a lot of monument right now as a songwriter and producer) it's a fresh and lively tune matched with a great choreography.

Day6 - First Time


This is the opening track of Day6's mini album "Daydream" (which I absolutely adore) and this song might be my favorite on the album. It's a great rock track in every sense of the word and I love the melody and instrumental, but above all it has that vibe and atmosphere that you feel deep within your heart and cannot be expressed in words. Sungjin's raspy vocals are top notch too.

Got7 - Rewind


There are a lot of good songs on Got7's latest mini album, but this one definitely stood out to me. "Rewind" is actually the work of member Youngjae and a few more experienced composers, but I think it's great that the members are finally getting a chance to have input into their own songs. Youngjae does shine in this song as well, and it's definitely helpful that the song is just generally awesome.

Seventeen (Seungkwan & DK) - Say Yes


What is this? Another ballad? Yes that's right, here comes another ballad in the form of "Say Yes". It's performed by this groups' two main vocalists and it's really a beautiful duet. Both of them are such good singers and it's a real pleasure hearing them sing like this. The song itself is a genuinely beautiful and emotional ballad, with a perfect amount of dynamics.

Lovelyz - Dear You


Lovelyz are really carving out a signature sound for themselves, and although not every song is going to work for me I really do appreciate that they're staying true to their own sound and style. This song however is straight up my alley and although the chorus is deeply infectious the dreamy pre-chorus is definitely what does it for me. It would be great if they could promote a song like this sometime.

Girls On Top (Produce 101) - At The Same Place


This is what I meant when I said that B1A4's Jinyoung is getting famous for his composing skills, because this song written for "Produce 101" gained a lot of attention at it's release and climbed up the charts to a peak position of 8. I absolutely love this song and cannot tell you how many times I have watched this performance, and it still enchants me every single time.


I think that's about it for this week, but for the coming weeks there will be more tracks and videos that I have been watching and listening to as of recent. Stay tuned!