The 20 Best K-Pop Albums of 2024 (So Far): Staff Picks

Whereas listeners can count on polished manufacturing and a few of the 12 months’s catchiest melodies from ZEROBASEONE, the sensational boy band’s newest exhibits depth and vary that deserves a deeper hear. Opening tracks “Photo voltaic POWER” and “Really feel the POP” hop by way of altering tempos and genres whereas the high-flying falsetto in “Pricey ECLIPSE” and tender harmonies in “HELLO” ship a noticeable maturity in each the efficiency and lyrical matter from the Boys Planet stars.

As considered one of Korea’s most in-demand idols, actors and fashions, Cha Eun Woo might have simply rested on his resumé of accomplishments and solely pursued music together with his boy band ASTRO. As an alternative, Entity exhibits an artist keen to achieve additional and present new sides of himself. Lead single “STAY” exhibits his penchant for storytelling by way of track, with the hauntingly stunning observe invoking as a lot emotion as a Korean drama. The subtle, five-track EP permits for extra experimenting from Eun Woo, flexing his falsetto and R&B sensibilities on “U&I,” because the playful “Fu*king nice time” lets out an unexpectedly specific aspect of Eun Woo’s nuanced and compelling musical id.

Whereas many of the 12 members of LOONA linked up collectively in numerous teams like Loossemble and ARTMS (who additionally seems on this listing), Yves determined to maneuver ahead solo with one of the surprising however thrilling transformations in Okay-pop when she signed with PAIX PER MIL, the label led by indie producer millic. Not solely does LOOP’s clubby title observe see her weave her honeyed vocals by way of Lil Cherry’s hyped-up rap sections, however the remainder of the EP delivers versatility for the “new” singer: “DIORAMA” is a dreamy slice of electro-R&B iciness, “Afterglow” is an all-English, emotional rush of rock and shutting observe “Goldfish” is an acoustic guitar and piano quantity to showcase Yves’ uncooked and tender vocals.

The promising boy band from HYBE’s KOZ Leisure, BOYNEXTDOOR really feel like they’re discovering their residence on their third EP. Not solely is lead single “Earth, Wind & Fireplace” a genre-hopping spark of lightning (that barely remembers a few of the finest work of Block B, the boy band of ZICO who based KOZ), however it additionally seems like each observe on HOW? takes an surprising but satisfying twist or flip sooner or later. Even the 1:40-long outro observe “Pricey. My Darling” evenly breaks up the observe so that each one of BND can rip over the bluesy rock manufacturing, with Jaehyun even packing some excessive falsetto belts into his 4 traces.

The boy band’s first launch after finishing their obligatory navy duties revitalized seemingly A.C.E with even higher ambitions. My Lady : My Selection consists of the nuanced drama on their electronic-pop declaration “Easy,” heartfelt R&B balladry on “Angel” in addition to a lighthearted soul for “My Lady” — releasing all three singles with English variations, to indicate that A.C.E’s plans for world domination are nonetheless intact.

Launched earlier than Dynamicduo’s twentieth anniversary in Might, the Korean hip-hop legends closed out their celebratory 2 Youngsters On The Block sequence with a powerful smattering of crossover pop-rap hits. The nostalgic ’90s manufacturing influences within the lead single “PITAPA” recalled the work of DJ Premier (a previous collaborator of Dynamicduo), whereas chatting with the pair’s world ambitions as they transfer in the direction of a 3rd decade. Spotlighting a mixture of established and rising abilities featured by way of the feel-good document, a standout just like the Bewhy-assisted “Love Myself” lets the rising MC share his admiration for the Okay-hip-hop pioneers, because the Crush-featuring “Fly or Die” brings Dynamicduo’s signature phrases of aspiration, all for an album worthy of the numerous milestone it helps rejoice.

As MARK informed Billboard forward of the discharge of DREAM( )SCAPE, “I feel we will sort of specific the way it’s nonetheless NCT DREAM and generally we will even have unhealthy goals.” True to the group chief’s phrase, the EP marks the outfit’s most experimental but, as NCT DREAM tweaked its signature idealism for tracks that additionally acknowledge hardship and supply an empowering message. The septet tackles matters of hysteria, worry and confinement, with the one “Smoothie” appearing as a intelligent solution to mix up all these worries and make one thing deliciously therapeutic for a candy ultimate product.

Since EPEX debuted with the well timed first single “Lockdown” in 2021 amid the worldwide pandemic, the eight-member boy band has repeatedly delivered sincere messages to its era, chatting with the highs and inevitable lows in a single’s each day life. The group’s first full-length Youth Chapter 1 : Youth Days stays true to the group’s message, with eight tracks pertaining to a variety of feelings and genres. The sentimental “Commencement Day” first launched the LP (recalling a few of the finest Okay-pop boy band materials from the mid-’10s) and marked a reflective second for the group, earlier than they go on to discover concepts of hysteria, love and adolescence all through the LP. As they encourage listeners within the anthemic singalong bridge on lead single “Youth2Youth”: “We will change and reverse (You is usually a star)/ We will all be various (You possibly can bе on high)/ Don’t you are concerned, let me see your vivid mild.”

Coining a brand new nickname on considered one of Quiz’s standout tracks, “Singer-songwridol” sees Jeong Sewoon embracing his standing as a consultant Okay-pop idol who can also be a singer-songwriter, at peace with the generally juxtaposed sides he exhibits as an artist, however finally pleased with his musicality. The arrogance carries Sewoon all through the eight-track document. But probably the most surprising second comes within the crossover English observe “sharpie,” a collaboration with indie rockers Nightly, which might simply make its manner onto U.S. pop and different radio.

An exploration of avant-garde digital and pop components, DALL reunites unique LOONA producer Jaden Jeong (whose music helped create the group’s cult pop following) with 5 of the group’s bandmates, for a undertaking that feels prefer it picks off the place LOONA’s finest work left off. The modern manufacturing and otherworldly songwriting on the LP’s 11 tracks — together with its crown jewel fifth single, “Digital Angels” — lets Heejin, Haseul, Kim Lip, Jinsoul and Choerry right into a playground of experimental pop that seems like solely the start of the group’s true boundary-pushing potential.

Nakseo singles “LTNS” and “Groovin” had been already two of the most effective R&B/Okay-pop crossover cuts upon launch, with a majority of the iKON member’s first full-length experimenting with components of guitar, digital and dance music all through the LP. Written totally by DK, Nakseo seems like a real expression of an artist snug in himself, however nonetheless leaving the LP’s ultimate tracks like “??” and “Style” just a little extra open-ended to point there’s much more for the singer-songwriter-producer to indicate sooner or later.

For the Okay-pop rock band’s first launch as a quartet, Fourever comes with a strong message inside the first minute. The opening observe and lead single “Welcome to the Present” is an exciting, stadium-sized anthem to indicate that DAY6 is able to play high festivals worldwide. However simply in case that doesn’t persuade you, the peppy synth work on “The Energy of Love,” the pounding punk influences of “Get the Hell Out” and the eerie coolness of the double voicing and piano work in “Unhappy Ending” will just do that.

If a 24-member Okay-pop lady group seems like an excessive amount of to deal with, tripleS show not solely how accessible a listening expertise that may be, but additionally how satisfying. For the primary time, each member of the bold, two-year-old lady group undertaking assembled for this large album delivers an extremely satisfying vary of types. The lead single “Ladies By no means Die” isn’t just an empowerment anthem for the following era however ingeniously ensures that every member will get the second to shine. Then “Coronary heart Raider” mixes storage, hyperpop, and bubblegum Okay-pop components, earlier than “White Soul Sneakers” takes the group into Afrobeats territory — marking just some highlights from this 10-track journey.

ATEEZ kicked off one other epic period with the primary a part of the group’s Golden Hour sequence, delivering considered one of its catchiest singles up to now in “WORK.” However because the catchy track lures followers in, the tribal beats and chants on “Blind,” the reggae groove of “Shaboom” and the sentimentality of “Empty Field” make this EP a musical journey around the globe, as properly by way of a variety of feelings. ATEEZ’s Coachella set seems like only a warm-up for what the group will ship on their upcoming stadium tour, with these new Golden Hour songs’ stay performances being a must-see.

Not solely does Born to Be ship a few of ITZY’s most bold tracks but with the maximalist title observe, anthemic lead single “UNTOUCHABLE” and rhythmic-yet-dreamy “Mr. Vampire.” However for the primary time, the ITZY members all sing and co-write solo songs to provide us new perception into every of the ladies. From the surprising electro-R&B grooves of Chaeryeong’s “Mine” to the candy synth-y gem “Blossom” from Lia (gifted to followers on the LP even because the star is on hiatus for her psychological well being), ITZY’s fifth anniversary in 2024 is all of the extra particular with this undertaking, which lets the group’s members lastly share and prolong themselves extra creatively.

Belief Me showcases the youngest GOT7 member’s evolution as an artist, mixing R&B and hip-hop influences with easy vocals and introspective lyrics. Together with a few of Yugyeom’s finest collabs, like 2023’s “Ponytail” with Sik-Okay and the LeeHi-featuring “Say Nothing,” Belief Me lives as much as its title, with the 14 tracks proving the decade-long await his first full-length album price it as an entire, cohesive undertaking. The set highlights Yugyeom at his creative peak, starting with the bossa nova single and opening observe “La Sol Mi,” and persevering with as with the swirling ’80s synthesizers of “SHINE,” the easy hip-hop hooks of “1 Minute” and extra pleasant turns, as you fall into the most effective album listening experiences from Korea this 12 months.

Past any sci-fi connotations that one may conjure up when listening to digital boy band PLAVE, ASTERUM: 134-1 album exhibits correct musical depth with heavy involvement from all 5 members within the songwriting, manufacturing and instrumentation. (PLAVE’s 5 members make the most of motion-capture know-how to trace their actions and expressions displayed by pc graphics.)

The sleek reggaetón influences on album opener “Watch Me Woo!” shortly set an intriguing soundscape, earlier than shifting into the album’s centerpiece in rock-pop single “Method 4 Luv.” Later tracks “From” and “Our Film” preserve the sentimentalism of the lead single: “From” highlights the group’s concord and falsetto work over stark piano manufacturing and “Our Film” brings again up the tempo with a quick R&B beats paired with shout-along choruses. The extremely intelligent “Digital Idol” even straight addresses those that won’t consider PLAVE as “actual” sufficient. As an alternative, it makes use of a singalong, hip-hop manufacturing to declare the group’s price in a self-empowerment anthem for followers.

Kicked off with a private ode to friendship in pre-release single “I Bought You,” With YOU-th not solely delivered two of TWICE’s finest singles in years (with “I Bought You” and lead single “One Spark”) but additionally showcased the group’s thrilling future in additional experimentation. The Chaeyoung-penned “RUSH” seems like a girl-group spin on PinkPantheress whereas “BLOOM,” written by Jeongyeon, not solely has TWICE’s members weaving collectively high-soprano and low-alto ranges, but additionally bringing new dimension to their deliveries with the vocal impacts.

Ending the Billboard 200-topping album with “You Get Me,” which was written by Dahyun (the third observe written totally by one of many TWICE members), brings the opening message of “I Bought You” full circle because the group sings, “’Trigger you get me/ Oh once I’m with you, I’m the most effective me” — showcasing the real love and friendship inside TWICE, with the group nonetheless hitting milestones practically 10 years in.

Whereas co-starring with BTS member V within the music video for the lead single “Love Wins All” introduced extra world consideration, IU’s newest undertaking proved greater than well worth the hype. A strong ballad single with “Love Wins All” set the stage for IU to ship a beneficiant providing of inspirational Okay-pop, the place she guarantees she’s “gonna go to win” over grooving percussion on “Holssi” and provides an aspirational synth-pop stunner with “Shopper.”

Clearer than ever on The Successful, IU by no means looks like she’s chasing developments, however as an alternative takes what’s trending and places her spin on it to make it actually timeless. That is maybe finest seen in “Shh..,” which mixes Hyein of NewJeans (in her first-ever track function) with the Korean rock band singer Wonsun Joe, plus narration from 86-year-old Korean music legend Patti Kim.

In his newest solo effort, RM once more examines his id and feelings, with considered one of 2024’s most bold information throughout any style. Proper Place, Flawed Individual is an intimate outlet for the BTS chief to experiment musically and candidly share his ideas. Identical to how the video for predominant single “LOST!” opens with a nametag declaring “INSIDE NAMJOON’S BRAIN” (RM’s delivery title is Kim Namjoon), RPRW shares the famous person’s bigger questions.

Songs just like the practically six-and-a-half-minute pre-release observe “Come again to me” or the mix of cultures, languages, sentiments and sounds on “Domodachi” (that includes Little Simz) don’t really feel crafted for mainstream mass attraction, however as an alternative really feel extra like areas for the rapper-singer to mirror and launch himself from the hardships of life — and perhaps even his personal thoughts. With out the immense stress of main the world’s largest pop group, RM sounds liberated to specific all points of himself: his anger, his hope, in addition to his confusion, pleasure, love, loneliness, mania and a lot extra.