best of vilppu's 2k17 in review xo | CLOSED, RIP Kim Jonghyun

[madonnas]

7 hours ago, Vilppu said:

 

 

 

since the demand is clearly there, this would be my top 5

 

    

 

@the racists, the last one is not in Japanese despite the cover and the middle is really amazing but this bitch clearly doesn't want us to hear it, I had to search for it on some shady downloading sites (a shoutout to @Kxvk for recommending it.)

 

You just had to ruin the surprise, didn't you

--

Hello to everyone else, was going to do HM but of all songs I could think of, only this and that are worth mentioning.

Get Free would have probably made top 3 in 2015 or something but my relationship with Lana is currently complicated.

 

What is it like tho?

Edited December 12, 2017 by madonnas

[Vilppu]

22 hours ago, KillingYourCareer said:

Aren't you Polish? Then you'd better include legend BRODKA.

 

Somehow missed this post from earlier, yes I am but I haven't willingly listened to a single Polish song since 2013 so!

The last time I checked I did love Brodka though so there's that.

 

 

20 hours ago, Eeveelution said:

Excluding two acclaimed, successful WOC from your top 40, shame. 

 

Low-key better than my two last spots but already had those descriptions done.

Also start your thread so black excellence such as Elizabeth Grant can snatch a top 10 somewhere.

 

 

19 hours ago, Kxvk said:

Now wait not miss Chara making it. A pleasant surprise 

 

Perched for the rest.

She has a song v high up my list too and there's at least one other thing you recommended me here  

 

13 hours ago, Reverie said:

gay

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Wow no albums huh you've really embraced the Kpop stanning!

 

Rev a homophobe? Color me surprised.

 

 

if there's anything kpop taught me is that albums are an evil social construct unless it's Wonder Girls

 

13 hours ago, madonnas said:

What is it like tho?

I'm assuming this was for Chara n ATRL would say it's really organic, it has a more traditional approach to songwriting than an average Asian album, I think, but it's not completely out of its time, it's natural but the fairly modern production on some songs really enhance them. Overall, it had incredible melodies and benefitted greatly from its varied instrumentation and Chara's unique vocals. It's kind of hard to describe honestly, this might give you a general idea of it but there's much more to it:

 

[Vilppu]

 

#40 Dua Lipa - New Rules (Initial Talk Remix)

Kicking off with the fomo'd classic of 2017, the new Run Away with Me/Into You if you will, just slightly differently wrapped. Truth be told, I've never cared for the original, the low energy verses would only be acceptable if they weren't followed with quite possibly the laziest drop in recent memory which makes the song just really anticlimatic in my eyes. This gem of a remix, however, seems to fix all the issues this composition has ever had. It swaps the tropical house production - potentially dated in just a few months from now - with heavily 80s-inspired synths, and as many pretty recent releases prove, you can't really go wrong with 80s pop. It enhances all the track's strengths, most importantly the fun lyrics, and the way it drowns Dua's voice out seems just so oddly fitting. Overall, just a great producer's job.

 

#39 Fink - Day 22

If there's such a thing as a white boy with a guitar worth paying attention to nowadays, it's, first of all, not Ed Sheeran, second of all, probably this guy. For quite a few years now he's been snatching me with some of the simplest songs I probably wouldn't think twice of had they come from a different artist. So is Day 22, a moody, bass-driven composition which remains on the one hand mesmerizing but at the same time admittedly pretty monotonous all the way through, with lyrics that could be most effectively described as repetitive, as it's really just a few lines looped for 5 minutes... and yet it works. There's a certain depth to Fink's voice that would probably make me fall in love even with him reading a phonebook over the sound of a dripping tap.

I also liked: Not Everything Was Better in the Past

 

#38 Willow - Human Leech

I refuse to believe this is the same girl that whipped her hair back and front and delivered some other woeful tracks in the beginning of the decade. Willow is a true blossoming flower, since she started her musical career she's matured and become so much more aware of herself as an artist, it's such a beautiful process to witness. On The 1st she takes several clues from more traditional R&B which stands out among the more popular PBR&B and portrays the young girl as oddly, yet perfectly at the same time, out of her time. However, as soothing as these arragments are, she constantly proves she's the main star, Human Leech being probably the best example for that. Over heavier guitar riffs she plays angry and confused. And succeeds. The way she effortlessly emotes her puts her far above many technically superior vocalists. I hope this is the direction she takes in the future.

I also liked: Boy

 

#37 Ariel Pink - Feels Like Heaven

If the entire (underwhelming) album served a drowsy atmosphere, then this was the greatest sleeper hit of 2017. Like, I imagine a lazy Sunday morning when I don't have any duties, can stay in bed as long as I want, breakfast will somehow make and deliver itself to me, I don't have to worry about my sad future etc. with it playing in the background and it's just such a lovely, stunning picture. Songs further down my list outdo this one in many aspects but I genuinely can't think of one that is quite as purely sonically beautiful, it truly creates an illusion of being transcended to heaven, it's so mellow in the best, most adorable way. It's not something I can play often, I have to be in the mood, but when the right time arrives, it does become completely irresistible.

I also liked: Santa's in the Closet

 

 

#40 WJSN - Babyface

If there was anything coming out of either season of Produce 101, it was introducing the world to various underrated, interesting groups almost always turning out to be more interesting than the final IOI/Wanna One products. Among that, there was WJSN, a girlgroup so unbelievably hit-or-miss delivering forgettable title tracks, one of the worst kpop songs of the year with Happy and then suddenly coming out with true gems somewhere in the middle. Babyface was just that, slightly deep house'd but in an interesting, captivating way which miraculously didn't serve a 2015 SM reject, with an instantly catchy chorus and a great rap part in the second verse. The production really shines here, it's sleek and mellow enough to make the track endlessly replayable and not sleek and mellow enough to make it feel bland.

I also liked: Miracle

 

#39 Suzy - Pretend

The one miss A member I bother with, Fei, hasn't released anything this year and while settling for the much more boring and bland Suzy didn't seem too exciting at first, it turned out to do the trick. Her love towards balladry snoozefests usually works against her churning out good songs but on the reflective Pretend she turns that into her advantage. Her subtle, restrained vocal performance goes seamlessly with the relatively simple music background. What sets it apart from all those unbearable ballads Korea likes to stan for is how it's not empty and manages to create an actual atmosphere. It's toned down and sad and in spite of Suzy's voice becoming almost warm at points, never does it offer a hope of a happier time incoming which, in its biterness, is beautiful.

 

#38 Hitchhiker, Taeyong - Around

Of the many things one could be mad at SM for, SM Station is probably the worst. Conceptually, it was brilliant. It offered the label's artists a chance to step out of their comfort zones and collaborate with one another which could potentially lead to some really interesting collabs. Instead, what we got was a bunch of coffeshop piles of dog poo no one could bring themselves to care for. That said, both of its editons had rare moments of actual greatness, as evidenced by Around and another song further down my list. Initially I was drawn to it because of Taeyong whose voice I adore and while this is among his best raps, it's Hitchhiker who steals the show. His production here is fascinating, while the sort of noisy, disjoined, almost broken beat should quickly get annoying, especially in the parts when it gets louder, it never fails to mesmerize me, somewhat like a trap you try to run away from but subconsciously want to fall into.

 

#37 T-ara - What's My Name

2017 was a tough year for stans for the older gens girlgroups, with many disbanding, certain others losing members, and T-ara possibly doing both, we'll have to see what the current 4 members decide once their contracts expire. Girls, however, managed to turn into their best year in a long while, winning the public's respect back, that sewer rat Hwayoung getting exposed and putting out their best release since... probably even Again? The title track, What's My Name, might not be what we usually want from T-ara, it's not an EDM-meets-art moment such as Sugar Free or Number 9, it most certainly isn't on Absolute level but at this point of their career, it feels just right. It's lighthearted, has a great feeling of freedom attached to it and is probably the only song which was capable of turning the tropical house'd production into its advantage. I really don't want it to be their career ender but if it were, we could proudly say they went out on a high.

I also liked: Reload; Hyomin - Ooh La La

Edited December 13, 2017 by Vilppu

[madonnas]

This chara song is cute, I dunno if I'd listen to the whole album though.

 

Babyface way too low.  It's the perfect blend of Funk, House, and Bubblegum Pop. 

[World Eater]

Ten remix Miss Dupy Cipy to taki BOP  Sam w ogóle po pierwszym odsłuchu Dedicated Ariela stwierdziłem, że jest strasznie underwhelming, ale z czasem bardzo polubiłem ten album  Feels Like Heaven to dobry wybór na listę piosenek, Santa's in the Closet też lubię, ale myślę, że tam (i na bonusowej epce) są jednak lepsze kawałki

[Tom Vercetti]

The intial talk remixed added a nice touch. I'd go to say it's an improvement. Feels Like Heaven, an Ariel highlight  

[Eeveelution]

47 minutes ago, Vilppu said:

 

Low-key better than my two last spots but already had those descriptions done.

Also start your thread so black excellence such as Elizabeth Grant can snatch a top 10 somewhere.

 

 

 

 

Dunno these songs - will try and listen (except 4 Ariel Pink ) 

[Temporal]

fff at the New Rules remix making it over the original, it's a lovely 80s jam, but the original is great too sis!

[smholiv]

Babyface that low? oh wow

 

I personally liked a few of the SM Station balladas simply because a few got it really right (the one with Doyoung/Sejeong I...) but let's hope they use it for what it could actually be used for and give us more experimental bops and unique pairings.  To it's credit I really liked the song Ten did.

[Navyofbadgals]

ahh every version of New Rules>>

[Dom]

New Rules is a slay no matter what version

[That Bad Eartha]

Just listened to that Willow album and honestly, it is pretty solid. Jaden's album is okay too (but has some really cringeworthy moments that distract from the highlights)

[theblackestday]

Ariel Pink’s album was cute but Feels Like Heaven was one of the obvious highlights  

[Lazuli]

New Rules but a remix of it? Why? Why would anyone do that? 

[Diarrhoea]

The remix of New Rules  a bop though

[Wondy Lust]

Quote

#38 Hitchhiker, Taeyong - Around

Talent should be higher but yes regardless!

[khalyan]

17 hours ago, Navyofbadgals said:

ahh every version of New Rules>>

True!

[bluth]

babyface is a bop but i'm not mad about the placement. most of the ariel pink album sounded the same to me lol but it was okay samey and not bad samey at least.

[TRF.]

That Dua rihmix is amazing.

 

[hud]

Willow charting!!! Human Leech is AMAZING I love it  

 

also Suzy  

[prézli]

Ariel

[Roberto]

The remix of New Rules.  The original is still better, tbh. 

[Wicked]

Asian songs better include Illegal Weapon!

[Vilppu]

The day tropical house finally dies for good, y'all will realise the Initial Talk Remix is superior.

 

 

If I didn't quote you, this means I have nothing to add but still love you and your contribution xo.

 

23 hours ago, madonnas said:

Babyface way too low.  It's the perfect blend of Funk, House, and Bubblegum Pop. 

 

22 hours ago, minho said:

Babyface that low? oh wow

 

I personally liked a few of the SM Station balladas simply because a few got it really right (the one with Doyoung/Sejeong I...) but let's hope they use it for what it could actually be used for and give us more experimental bops and unique pairings.  To it's credit I really liked the song Ten did.

You're probably right but after they raped my ears with Happy, that's what they deserve.

 

Korean ballads are just... completely not my cup of tea  the one you mentioned has a nice melody and I really tried to pretend I liked Jinki's one but overall they're so empty and lifeless. And yes, Dream in a Dream and that Thirsty remix - although this was just a wasted opportunity to have literally any other new song out imo - were the only other Station tracks I liked.

 

2 hours ago, bluth said:

babyface is a bop but i'm not mad about the placement. most of the ariel pink album sounded the same to me lol but it was okay samey and not bad samey at least.

It did sound all the same but idk this song stood out.

 

19 hours ago, That Bad Eartha said:

Just listened to that Willow album and honestly, it is pretty solid. Jaden's album is okay too (but has some really cringeworthy moments that distract from the highlights)

Right? I was impressed, while it's not perfect, she seems very mature and aware of her strengths.

Didn't bother with Jaden but I feel like it'd be much weaker nn.

 

1 hour ago, Wicked said:

Asian songs better include Illegal Weapon!

It's #0, I just didn't think it was fair to have lessor songs compete with it.

[Vilppu]

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