Okay, we’re down to our last of the catch-up articles 🥳 Let’s jump on in to it!
D.O. – Fit
I’m gonna keep it real with ya, chief, I don’t check for D.O.’s solo music for the same reason I don’t listen to Doyoung’s (I did check out his most recent album; it sounded amazing, vocally, of course) because I know they’ll be loaded with boring ballads.
But every once in a while, Mr. Kyungsoo surprises me like this. I want him to drop the R&B album sooo bad. Unfortunately nothing else on BLISS sounds like this song, but it is a good album all the way through.
Jo Yuri – Episode 25
“Going Under” is my favorite song from Episode 25. The track run here with “Growls and Purrs”, “HICCUP”, and “Going Under” is fantastic. There’s a chill vibe on this album. It reminds me a bit of Chuu’s “Only Cry in the Rain”. A bit jazzy but still some Pop mixed in.
The title track, “Farewell for now!” is my least favorite song, but it’s still so good. Just something I know I’m not going to revisit much. The instrumentals are great, and it’s nice to see her switch things up a little. I always forget how much I love her voice until I listen to her music again. I gotta put her in rotation more.
VIVIZ – A Montage of ()
I’m begging these companies to stop using () in album titles, lol. I wasn’t that thrilled with this full length album. But I did like seeing the members have solos and hearing what sound they wanted to go with for each. Umji’s “Love Language” was my favorite (not too surprising since she’s my favorite member).
My favorite song from the album is “Toxic” I like it a bit more than “La La Love Me,” but I do enjoy “La La Love Me” a lot. I’m a sucker for a midtempo track and it kinda gives me Red Velvet vibes. think it was the best choice for a title track, it’s similar to their previous releases. Dancey but nothing groundbreaking and potentially alienating.
NCT DREAM – Go Back To The Future
I think I need to listen to this entire album again. I remember when I first listened to it I was underwhelmed. Then I heard “Chiller” in a Tiktok video, like outside of the Dreamies promoting it, and I realized I did like it. So I saved it, but I haven’t really listened to it or thought about this album since.
I have “I LIKE IT”, “Interlude: Back to Our Paradise”, “That Summer”, and “Miss Me” saved. So I’m just going to give it a few weeks and give myself fresh ears. This might take a little longer to click for me, lol.
BLACKPINK – Jump
I’m in a bit of a weird place with Blackpink, I’m not sure where I sit with the pre-debut leaks. You just have to pick your battles wisely as a Black Kpop fan 😪. There are some groups and people I have more patience for and others I don’t. I still love the girls and their music, but I’m definitely back to being a more casual fan. I really don’t care if they make any more music as a group after this or not.
I didn’t listen to “Jump” when it first released. I wasn’t in a rush to hear it. My first time hearing it was at the Kpop club I went to and it was fantastic. It’s definitely a song that sounds better in a club/live setting. I don’t the the music video or regular audio does it justice. There’s less bass or something.
TWICE – THIS IS FOR
Now for a complete tonal change, lmao. I love “THIS IS FOR”. Similar to NCT DREAM, I remember listening to the album all the way through once and having songs I instantly loved. I want to relisten to this one all the way through as well.
Sometimes Twice songs also take a bit for me to love. But I love that we got a mix of full group songs and subunits. I can’t wait for that album with the member solos on it they teased a few months back. Oh, and Chaeyoung’s solo debut next month, let’s goooooo.
ATEEZ – GOLDEN HOUR: Part.3 In Your Fantasy Edition
My unimpressed feelings for a lot of these releases might just be me riding the high of being actively back in my ATINY era, and nobody’s hitting like the Teezers for me right now 💁🏾♀️. I’m completely obsessed with In Your Fantasy and the member solos. This might be my album of the year. I totally need to get a physical copy of it (and Part.3 with “Lemon Drop”).
My current top three member solos (in no particular order) is “Slide to Me”, “Creep” and “Sagittarius.” Idk why I’m so late to “Sagittarius”. I must have watched the music video for it, looked for it on Spotify, didn’t see it, and moved on or something. But better late than never, I guess, lol.
Hyolyn – YOU AND I
It’s not “Wait” but I do like it. The music video for it is cute. I miss when SISTAR were our summer queens. Hyolyn is trying her best to keep the tradition going for us.
SOYOU – PDA
Ayyyyyy Soyou’s back in her Pop bag!!!! I love “PDA” so much. She sounds so much like Jihyo (Twice) in the chorus. On my first listen, I had to periodically check that it wasn’t a Jihyo song, lol. This is gonna be on repeat for a while.
ifeye – sweet tang
I started getting the videos of ifeye on TikTok about a month or so before “r u okay” dropped. I was instantly in love with it. To my surprise, I enjoyed sweet tang just as much. “loverboy”, “round and round”, and “echo” are my faves off the album. I wasn’t expecting to find a new girl group to love in 2025, I’m so happy.
TXT – The Star Chapter: TOGETHER
I think The Star Chapter: TOGETHER is the first TXT album where the title track is my absolute last ranked song off the album. I’ve been enjoying the solo songs much more.
“Beautiful Strangers” is fine. It continues that slightly meh vibe I’ve had with their Korean title tracks/singles since “Over The Moon” really. The b-sides have been CARRYING. Which is fine. You don’t have to love every title track. More power to you if you do.
XngHan&Xoul – Heavenly Blue
I hate this new stage name so much, lmao. I get why they did it, but good goly god it’s awful. I just had to get that off my chest. I didn’t like “Waste No Time” but “Heavenly Blue” stole my heart. I loveeeee a Deep House track. I guess since the boycott is over with RIIZE I can go back to listening to “Impossible”, I’ve missed her.
I’m happy fans have shown up for XngHan&Xoul, last I saw, this single album has sold about 100K. I hope he continues to be successful and makes more bangers like this one.
WOODZ – Smashing Concrete Visualizer (flashing lights warning for the music video)
Bro…I think I speak for all MOODZ right now, I missed Woodz sooooo much. I was ecstatic to see this video when it initially dropped. I love the way it’s filmed, a minimalist vibe, but there’s still so much going on. The song itself slaps, we love a curly weave moment. Yeah, I’m ready for the album drop.
STAYC – I WANT IT
Oh we’re soooooooo baaaaaaccck! It’s been ages since I’ve been in love with a full STAYC release. Granted this is a single, album, there are three songs, and I adore all of them. So I’m counting it as a win.
This was another song I first heard in the club. 11/10, highly recommend experiencing “I Want It” in a club setting. Next is to see it live (one day).
ONE PACT – ONE FACT
Byeee I can’t believe I forgot about One Pact! I just saw this post on Reddit about their tour and remembered, lol. I have “DESERVED” saved by them, and I didn’t have too high expectations for ONE FACT but I enjoyed it a lot. “YES, NO, MAYBE” is a great choice for the title. “blind” and “lucky” are my two fave full group songs, and out of the solos, “180928~” by Jay Chang takes it.
And that’s it for July! As of writing, it’s the end of August. So I have a few more days before the August faves article will be out. I’ve done a slightly better job at keeping up with new music this month, so it shouldn’t take long to put together. I also have three other articles planned out, so September will be much more active on ATK. Thanks for hanging in there with me. I hope y’all had a good July. Have a good rest of your day/night.
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Take care!
Ash💫