best of MARC's best of '18 // last round of albums

[2NE1Kmagic]

YES at starting off with Hann and the inclusion of Girls Need Love!!! Such a vibe

 

I already knew I was going to like your lists since you have incredible taste

[2NE1Kmagic]

9 hours ago, Chemical X. said:

A fellow No Drama stan  it’s one of my most-played songs of the year

same. it's my most played this year (official and solo version combined )

[JonginBey]

Lullaby, days gone by, and Blooming Day (justice for Playdate)

[TayRianaPH]

K-POP!

 

Hi sweetie!  

Great list so far! ? 

 

My pics on the Top 20

3. Lullaby

2. Blooming Day

1. Days Gone By aka SOTY!

 

See you on my Best Of too.  

[M A R C]

@JonginBey @ralani @2NE1Kmagic @Tom Vercetti @Alaska. @Cotton @Kid A @Rider @Sailor Star @Jet @Chemical X. @rocky. @RobDeWittBukater

 

Third and last round of singles. Then after that i'm going onto albums.

 

[M A R C]

 

j-hope // Daydream

 

J-Hope really served the best BTS related single this year huh. His singing tone is smooth and easy on the ears and the productions compliments that well. The chorus is pretty and the last minute of the song is one of the best moments in music this year.

 

 

H.E.R. ft. Daniel Caesar // Best Part

 

The fact that H.E.R. is apart of the few collabs i've enjoyed this year is a testimony to how brilliant she is. Her vocal delivery on the song was perfection and Daniel's tone harmonized with it so well. Despite the simpleness of the acoustic guitar, the beautiful vocals made the song. And i really enjoyed the lyrics.

 

 

NCT U // BOSS

 

NCT U proved why they are the superior NCT unit when it comes on to title track runs. The production slaps and the rap verses were on point. Also Jungwoo has yet to top that vocal moment during the bridge. Also the mini switch up at the end is a highlight as well.

 

 

Red Velvet // Power Up

 

Call me an SM Sheep i don't care. Power Up took some time to grow on me, but i finally came around. I still think the "ba banana" part of the chorus is a bit tacky and very TWICE-like, but overall the delivery of the song still has talent to it, which sets it apart. The harmonies throughout add flavor to the song, i feel like if they didn't have any sort of harmonies the song wouldn't have been as interesting, more so flat. The video game sound effects in the instrumental is cute and i did enjoy the instrumental doing a light switch up and becoming more fast paced during the second chorus.

 

 

Sabrina Claudio ft. Khalid // Don't Let Me Down

 

I really really love the steady production on this. Sabrina and Khalid's tone complimented the production so well, especially Khalid. He really made the song and lowkey took over from Sabrina with his presence in the second half.

 

 

EXID // I LOVE YOU

 

It amazes me how many times EXID can remake UP & DOWN and the product comes out an 11/10 every single time. Despite the productions being similar the songs are so catchy and the rap verses and vocal delivery always remain interesting, and I Love You is no different. The "I love you like lalalalalala" is my favorite part of the song.

[M A R C]

 

SUNMI // Siren

 

Just like Yubin, Sunmi is also keeping the Wonder Girls 80s aesthetic/sound alive. When she first admitted that it was actually made for WG i knew i wasn't going to be disappointed. At the beginning and ending of the song she incorporates siren like calls to match the songs concept, which was genius. The instrumental switching up into a more dark and sexy tone during the bridge is the best part for me.

 

 

gugudan // The Boots

 

It might take a while for gugudan to top this because it's that amazing. From the verses to the chorus to the unexpected breakdown then the perfect buildup back to the chorus makes it a masterpiece. Everything about the song was so good i had to download the instrumental.

 

 

Normani ft. 6LACK // waves

 

I pray and hope Normani sticks with this sound because i honestly wasn't feeling her other efforts and they came off boring to me. The production on this was really good and 6LACK was a great feature for a song like this.

 

 

Amber Mark ft. DRAM // Put You On

 

Alongside Summer Walker i also need Amber Mark to explode next year. Put You On sounds straight out of the 90s. If i was to hear the song for the first time without any knowledge of Amber i wouldn't have believed the song was released in 2018 at all. It has a feel good cookout vibe that i really enjoyed.

 

 

Heize // Jenga

 

Based on the production alone this is easily Heize's best song. The way how she followed up with the instrumental during the chorus is so pleasing to the ears. I also appreciated the jazzy vibe she was going for.

 

 

Janelle Monae // Make Me Feel

 

Queen Janelle delivered an LGBT anthem and a tribute to Prince all in the same song. The song is funky, exciting, and never had a dull moment. The production was sleek and had character, just like any Prince song. Which made it an 11/10 for me.

[M A R C]

 

MELODYDAY // Restless

 

I wish this was appreciated more, it definitely has a Heize/Bolbbalgan coffee shop sound to it. The instrumental is calm and smooth and the vocals are good.

 

 

Heize // First Sight

 

This was basically a mash up of DEAN's instagram and WJSN's Save Me, Save You and i enjoyed every moment of it. Combining the elements of two of my favorite productions and adding Heize's vocals on top of that makes it an automatic quality song.

 

 

EXO // Love Shot

 

I'm convinced SM had it backwards because Love Shot should've been the main comeback track.The song oozes sex from top to bottom and the vocal harmonies are to die for. The production feels expensive and very sleek. It's honestly up there already as one of their all time best title tracks.

 

 

SOYOU // All Night

 

Didn't really listen to this properly when it was first released, but when i watched the performance with headphones that's when it hit me. The instrumental is the highlight, it takes you on a roller coaster not knowing what to expect. I love how it has a subtle Latin feel to it, i haven't really enjoyed K-Pop's take on Latin (KARD, MAMAMOO, BTS), but i really loved the way the production was structured.

 

 

Apink // I'm so sick

 

I don't know if Apink will be able to top this or not, it's just that amazing. From start to finish the song refuses to take it's foot off my neck.The verses are catchy and the chorus almost has an 80s vibe to it. Also the instrumental with the baby sound effect during Namjoo's verse still remains the best part of the song.

 

 

Yubin // Thank U Soooo Much

 

Yubin really deserves major success because the 1-2 PUNCH she served this year with Lady and now TUSM is gold.

Back again with the 80s aesthetic she delivers yet another quality bop. She really proved how multi-talented she is, composing, rapping, and singing on key. Most rappers in kpop groups don't really expand outside of their position in the group, so it's a breathe of fresh air to see Yubin excelling at more than just rapping.

 

 

SHINee // Good Evening

 

The first single since the death of the dearly departed Jonghyun, SHINee pulls the strength to come back with another quality song. Sampling 112's Cupid in the pre chorus made the song even better. Comparing this to their last efforts i wouldn't label Good Evening as their all time best but it's still a great song to enjoy.

[M A R C]

 

WJSN // Save Me, Save You

 

I really wasn't expecting WJSN to punch me out this year. With Dreams Come True and now Save Me, Save You they've really impressed me with the amount of quality this year. I love the verses and the production is amazing. Also the second half of the chorus >>

 

 

Olivia Hye // Egoist

 

If it wasn't for @Tom Vercetti's best of '18 rate i would've have forgot about this gem. Olivia really made me shut my wh*re mouth about LOONA's quality taking a tumble after Odd Eye Circle. She definitely made some points with this. The instrumental took me on a rollercoaster not knowing what to expect next. The song was very OEC and not because JinSoul was featured, but the structure of the production was very similar to what OEC would do.

 

 

SUNMI // Heroine

 

Yes the song plagiarized Cheryl Cole's Fight For This Love, but who cares it's still a good song. Even though the production was similar you could still tell that it was a Sunmi song. It had the vibe and identity Sunmi's songs have. I really do love the chorus and the performances improves the song.

 

 

NCT U // Baby Don't Stop

 

I love a good concept catered to the gays. Both Ten and Taeyong ooze attitude and charisma on this. On top of that the production is one of the best in music this year. It deserves every single acclaim it received from the critics.

 

 

EXO // Tempo

 

Still don't get the SNSD I Got A Boy comparisons, the song definitely took me up and down but i could tell it was still the same song. Anyways the vocals are amazing as usual from EXO and the production is really good. And what made the song one of the best kpop songs of the year and the best boy group title track (before Love Shot's existence) is the acapella bridge. No one in kpop at the moment from my perspective is doing it or at least attempted to do it. That moment gave me Boyz II Men vibes with the way how the harmonies were set up. That alone really proved why EXO is still ahead of their peers in terms of talent.

 

 

Sabrina Claudio // All To You

 

I didn't expect to love this so much, the verses were a bit boring on first listen but when the chorus hit it felt like i was being descended into space. It's her best song.

 

 

Vivian Green // Vibes

 

Loved the care free feeling of the song, and Vivian's vocals were superb as usual. Along with Tamia's Leave It Smokin', it really made my summer. It should've been bigger than what it was.

[RockStarShit101]

You have no idea about how I’m so obsessed with Janelle’s album. It’s really her best one so far and I’m glad she received the album of the year nomination. I’ve been a casual listener since I listened to Tightrope back in 2010, but she really won me over with Dirty Computer. I hope to see it on your list soon.  

[madonnas]

The "ba banana" would be bad but the key change makes it sound kinda creepy, which is very on brand for RV.  I think people don't give them credit for the song being as adventurous as it is.

Egoist  

[Chemical X.]

16 hours ago, 2NE1Kmagic said:

same. it's my most played this year (official and solo version combined )

taste!

 

- - - - 

 

Waves and Make Me Feel  

[Cotton]

PU is a cute song but yeah I expected much better from RV, Baby Don't Stop, Siren, Heroine, Save Me Save You, I'm So Sick and Jenga are all really good songs too. I did like Best Part but it became one of those songs I started hearing everywhere and so I quickly got sick of it but it's nice. Make Me Feel and Waves are top tier.

[RobDeWittBukater]

NCT really did SOMETHING with Baby Don't Stop, huh?  Also  at most of the other K-Pop picks on the list, all my faves!

[Tom Vercetti]

Glad Egoist made it here  

Save Me Save You, Siren, & Baby Don't Stop are some of my other k-pop faves.

Make Me Feel, Best Part and Put You On  

[potent]

Best Part is cute, Make Me Feel is a masterpiece. Have to give that Normani solo single a listen.

[Jet]

Ugh Siren is really THAT bop  

[ralani]

omg wiggg another amber mark stan. now you just gotta get into nao.

[Kid A]

OMG luv ur taste. I use most of these sings.

 

Baby Don’t Stop was imo the best sing NCT released this year.

[Alaska.]

22 hours ago, M A R C said:

Still don't get the SNSD I Got A Boy comparisons

Me neither since Tempo is actually a good song

 

What's Power Up doing on a best list?

 

And yes, NTC U will always be the superior unit  

[M A R C]

21 hours ago, rocky. said:

You have no idea about how I’m so obsessed with Janelle’s album. It’s really her best one so far and I’m glad she received the album of the year nomination. I’ve been a casual listener since I listened to Tightrope back in 2010, but she really won me over with Dirty Computer. I hope to see it on your list soon.  

 

20 hours ago, madonnas said:

The "ba banana" would be bad but the key change makes it sound kinda creepy, which is very on brand for RV.  I think people don't give them credit for the song being as adventurous as it is.

Egoist  

I agree the key change and the harmonies is very RV tho.

 

11 hours ago, ralani said:

omg wiggg another amber mark stan. now you just gotta get into nao.

I've been planning on getting into her, but i've never really got around to it.

 

26 minutes ago, Alaska. said:

Me neither since Tempo is actually a good song

 

What's Power Up doing on a best list?

 

And yes, NTC U will always be the superior unit  

Power Up grew on me fast like an infection.

 

It's over for 127 when U will start releasing albums.

[M A R C]

@JonginBey @ralani @2NE1Kmagic @Tom Vercetti @Alaska. @Cotton @Kid A @Rider @Sailor Star @Jet @Chemical X. @rocky. @RobDeWittBukater

 

Here are my first 10 albums. Nothing is in order.

 

[M A R C]

 

 

Sabrina Claudio // No Rain, No Flowers

 

Sabrina is one of my favorite whisper vocalists. She always delivers great production and lyricism, and this album continues that same streak in quality. With songs like Cycle, Numb, Did We Lose Our Minds, and Control alone makes this effort better than About Time. I do wish All To You was added to the final track list but I still enjoyed the consistent mood the album had, it's a great album to study and relax to.

 

 

Troye Sivan // Bloom

 

Didn't really get the hoopla over Troye at first, but i finally got around to giving him another chance by listening to this album and i was completely blown away. I really had a "where have i been all this time" moment because it was just that great. The album was very cohesive and i did enjoy the aesthetic he has going on. Constantly seeing the same formula among his peers it was a breathe of fresh air seeing a new generation male artist pushing boundaries and actually stepping outside of the box visually and sonically. My favorites tracks off of the album is Bloom, Dance To This, Plum, What a Heavenly Way to Die, Lucky Strike, and Animal. The 1-2-3-4-5-6 PUNCH from DTT to Animal is gold.

 

 

Red Velvet // RBB

 

Say what you want about the lead title track, but the ep itself was actually pretty solid. Even during times of stress and disappointment RV still manages to deliver excellent b-sides. It isn't Red Velvet's all time best effort but i still enjoyed it. With Butterflies being one of the best album tracks of the year, it literally sounds like what i would hear at the gates of heaven. So Good is legit so good, it's another great track added to their Velvet side. So Good's bridge is one of their best bridges in their discography. Sassy Me has the same elements of the lead title track with the heavy saxophone but it's actually more easy to digest. I love the weird and quirky verses, and they snatched Taeyong's wig with the vocal fry effect. The chorus is also really amazing with the harmonies they. I have nothing to say about Taste, i don't change it when it comes on tho. But Butterflies, So Good, and Sassy were so strong and that excellent as album tracks that it automatically made the RBB EP one of the best released this year.

 

 

Ariana Grande // Sweetener

 

The masses might not agree but Sweetener is Ariana's best album in my opinion, 2018 was really her best year in terms of quality if you remove TLIC. The single runs for this album were really impressive all of them deserved to hit #1. This was honestly the first Ariana album i enjoyed from start to finish, Pharrell really pulled through. The whole tone and vibe of the album reminds me of the R&B albums in the early 2000s, specifically Beyonce's Dangerously In Love and Amerie's All I Have. I really loved her vocal delivery on this album especially on songs like Borderline, Successful, Better Off, and Get Well Soon. I honestly have too many favorites from the album, as i stated before i only really disliked one song. That's how amazing of a project Sweetener is. I know most of her fans might not want her to go in this direction again but if continues with this particular sound again i just might stan.

 

 

SUNMI // WARNING

 

Knowing that this ep only contained five new tracks with two old songs, it was impressive how cohesive the project was. Older songs like Gashina and Heroine fitted in perfectly well and didn't throw off the flow at all. Starting off the ep with Addict was really a moment, it's one of the best album openers i've heard. Just the attitude that Sunmi oozed and the excellent production made it a staple. Also Black Pearl reminded me so much of Wonder Girls OT4, sounded like it could be a b-side on Reboot. The tone Sunmi exhibited complimented the instrumental so well, also the saxophone solo was the cherry on top. It's one of my most played songs from the ep.

 

 

SHINee // The Story Of Light EP.1

 

I always have faith in SHINee's releases, they never disappoint. SHINee released a trilogy of ep's this year and out of the three i enjoyed EP.1 the most. EP.2 was solid but i kept on going back to EP.1 because of b-sides like Undercover, Jump, and All Day All Night. Especially Undercover, the instrumental switching up during the second chorus is one of the best moments in K-Pop this year. All Day All Night has the same vibe that their fourth studio album Odd had. Also Jump was a moment for the gays that i really enjoyed. Over this ep in particular really proved SHINee is still one of the best male groups in K-Pop.

 

 

Ella Mai // Ella Mai

 

Pushing her idolization for C*ris B*own aside i took a curious listen to the album because Boo'd Up was cute and i was honestly surprised at how great it was, especially at the fact that it's her debut album. In terms of sound she took CB's formula, polished and added some class to it. There is not one bad track on the album. The highlights track for me is Sauce, Cheap Shot, and Gut Feeling.

 

 

Heize // Wish & Wind

 

This is Heize's best era from the ep to the lead single. It was very cohesive and i enjoyed the mood she was going for. Unfortunately the success for this era was front loaded and only lasted a short amount of time compared to her previous effort that had major success in Korea. That previous effort wasn't as complex as Wish & Wind but i'm not surprised Wish & Wind's success fell short because Korea only recognizes quality 20% of the time. Anyways Mianhae and But, Are You? alone made this one of the best solo efforts this year.

 

 

VIXX // Eau De Vixx

 

I've slandered VIXX in the past but that's only because a certain member constantly tries my faves with them. But truthfully speaking VIXX really made some points with this project. Alongside Don't Mess Up My Tempo, Regular-Irregular and Present: YOU it's the best boy group AOTY. The highlights on the album for me is Odd Sense, Escape, and Resemble.

 

 

GOT7 // PRESENT: YOU

 

JYP finally allowing GOT7 to produce and write their music really made a drastic difference in the quality they put out. With the boys now being more musically free this album reflects their talents and skills. With five group songs and seven solo songs the formula works perfectly for them. Starting with the group songs aside from the masterpiece that is the lead single, my favorite tracks are Save You(I'll Protect You) and No One Else. I really enjoyed the vibe of those songs. On to the solo tracks, each member of the seven member group either wrote, produced, or did both for their solos. Out of the seven, i really loved Sunrise by JB, OMW by Mark, My Youth by Jinyoung, and Fine by Yugyeom. Three out of four of those songs had a R&B/Urban sound that i really am drawn to, and judging by some of GOT7's past songs i could tell that  JB, Mark, and Yugyeom were the ones responsible for the groups R&B inspired tracks. Also i really loved Jinyoung's solo, it had the same sound and elements as GOT7's subunit JJ Project's recent effort Verse 2.

[RobDeWittBukater]

Bloom, Warning, The Story of Light, Eau de Vixx  Loving the graphics and write-ups for this one!

[JonginBey]

1 hour ago, M A R C said:

It's over for 127 when U will start releasing albums.

No Haechan, no album.