best of CY's Best of 2017! Album of the Year

[IamCY]

Hey ATRL!

 

This is my 2nd year doing a countdown and I have to say that overall, the best in 2017 music didn't measure up to 2016, which had some of my favourite releases ever. Nonetheless, there were some albums and singles this year that I'm sure I'll be playing well into 2018. I’ll be covering:

 

Top 15 Singles

 

Top 10 Albums

 

Honourable Mentions

 

I didn't like much of what dominated Western music this year again, but I there was one Pop album like Dangerous Woman last year that I really enjoyed from start to finish, which I’ll keep separate from the rest of my lists which will be all Korean. 

 

Stay tuned for Honourable Mentions soon 

Edited January 13, 2018 by IamCY

[Wondy Lust]

I didn't really listen to as much kpop as I would've liked this year  so I'm excited to see what you post 

[IamCY]

Western Album of The Year

 

 

 

Taylor Swift was one my western faves from 2013-15, her masterful songwriting and lyrics really impressed my lovesick, teenage self. I still think Speak Now and RED are two of the best pop girl albums ever, but 1989 left me disappointed and feeling like she watered down everything about her to go pop. 

 

3 years later, the Pop Taylor™ I could stan for finally arrived. Max Martin's production this time round slayed me, evidenced by my belief that the first half of reputation is a lot stronger than its second half. The lyricism has also stepped up again imo with many memorable lines spread over the songs of the album. 

 

Finally the Big Reputation chant in End Game is amazing and catchy and it deserves to go #1 off that alone. 

 

Trinity: I Did Something Bad, Don't Blame Me, End Game

 

 

[IamCY]

Honourable Mentions 

A very late start to the albums and singles not making my lists: 

 

 

As a Twice hater in 2016 (TT is still gross), I surprisingly liked all their titles this year. Signal in particular is weird, fun and catchy, a lesser version of Very Very Very, which was one of the best songs of last year.

 

JYP is a great producer and the girlies of Twice are ungrateful ***** for shading this bop

 

 

My favourite EXO solo this year, Chen goes off on the choruses. 

 

 

definition of a GROWER, kkampak kkampak kkampak WoW! 

 

 

 

Loona's company seem to be stepping up their releases this year, with a string of amazing, well-produced songs and videos.

 

While everyone seems to worship Eclipse more, this fun mix of cute and sexy is my favourite release from them this year

 

 

I've been sleeping on GOT7 for a while, especially after the mess of Hard Carry but they really showed western pop how to do a tropical house song. JB went off on the pre-chorus and I even love the rap parts  

 

 

A song for the unhappy. 

Edited December 30, 2017 by IamCY

[IamCY]

Also, here's 3 amazing albums I had on replay this year that I'm not including because they were released in December, 2016.

 

 

As a stan, I always love EXO's winter releases the most (including this year's Universe) for the reliable quality ballad and fun b-sides I can put on repeat for the season without skipping anything like I would their full albums.

 

While some people find their ballads boring, the yearly showcase of their vocals, especially of members that don't usually sing are a big part of what makes me stan EXO, while the rest of the album are warm, wintery bops.  

 

Trinity: For Life, Falling For You, Winter Heat

 

 

After unfairly flopping in September with one of my favourite kpop songs ever, Only One and the strong Pink Revolution album, A Pink quickly came back with festive jam You're My Star and a special album consisting of mellow ballads, coffee shop music and remakes of their old songs.

 

The album track grew on me a lot this year, and had more replay value than more exciting albums. I'm disappointed they returned to their old sound (and success) for Five this year, which I was never a fan of. I hope A Pink return to the more mature concept they had last year, but it's looking unlikely given Korea  

 

Trinity: You're My Star, Ordinary Things, Lost Pieces

 

 

I really liked Jessica when she was in SNSD, but the Disney trash of her debut Fly was very disappointing. While clearly not on the production budget  matching albums from her old group this winter album was pretty cohesive and listenable in my opinion, with a mix of bops and sparkling slower songs I can get behind.

 

Trinity: Dancing On The Moon, Celebrate, Tonight 

[Pedro]

Where's "Delicate" among the best songs of "Reputation"? Ahaha, great record!

[IamCY]

15. SNSD - All Night / Holiday

 

 

SNSD served 2 of their best title tracks and concepts in years for their 10th anniversary; the fabulous gay anthem All Night and SISTAR-esque summer smash Holiday. Sadly this went unappreciated in Korea, but I'm still holding onto hope that 2017 isn't the last time we'll be hearing from the Nation's Girl Group. 

 

I like to party! 

 

14. BTS - Spring Day

 

 

Nearly stanned BTS' during the HYYH era, but they kind of lost my interest with WINGS. The repackage You Never Walk Alone was a step in the right direction in particular with this beautiful title track, I'm glad they finally decided to go with a ballad. I love the whining instrumental in the background throughout the whole song.

 

13. Junggigo x Chanyeol - Let Me Love You

 

 

 

A bit reminiscent of fellow EXO member Baekhyun's duet with Suzy last year, Dream but I guess I'm just a sucker for Chanyeol's deep singing voice. Coffee shop music never sounded so good. 

 

12. APRIL - April Story

 

 

 

APRIL started off 2017 showing all the other GGs how to do a pure concept and song right, too bad I didn't use any other song they put out this year.

 

11. Taeyeon - I Got Love 

 

 

One of many songs on My Voice better than Fine; this sultry, brassy track with its warbling anti-chorus became surprisingly addicting, standing as a  unique addition to the amazing discography Taeyeon has been able to build in such a short time. I'm so glad they at least filmed an MV for it. 

[Nikko]

Don't Blame Me is a true standout on rep! 

[IamCY]

10. Girl's Day - I'll Be Yours

 

 

Girl's Day have always bought the best bops in kpop, and this year is no different. I'll Be Yours is a bit of a new sound for them but it's still got their signature fun. Their 2 year break was very frustrating and after this year they're sadly one of the last 2nd generation girl groups standing. Here's hoping we get more comebacks from them. The mini album it comes in is also excellent!

 

9. NCT127 - #LIMITLESS 

 

 

By far the best song to come out of SM's extensive and still messy NCT project. The way the song explodes into the chorus from the smoother vocal parts is pure BG excellence. Also inspired one the best b-sides this year, EXO's Forever.

 

8. PRISTIN - Wee Woo

 

 

 

We are PRISTIN! annyeong! 

 

Cute, fun debut that's catchy at every second tbh.

 

7. Blackpink - As If It's Your Last 

 

 

Blackpink are the most overrated group in KPOP right now, their embarrassingly limited discography is just nowhere near as good as 2NE1's. That's exactly why this old 2NE1 demo appealed so much to my nostalgic Blackjack self, with the best chorus to sing along to this year and best line in Rosé majimak sarangin geotcheoreom!

 

6. DAY6 - What Can I Say / It Would Have Been 

 

 

 

DAY6's third and last amazing single release this year happened in March. Despite feeling a bit like a 2.0 to their January release, the 2 songs were still pure quality. How Can I Say was an angsty rock anthem with great vocals from all the members. The b-side, It Would Have Been is even better in my opinion; a crazy good rock ballad, they absolutely go off in the last minute.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 2, 2018 by IamCY

[IamCY]

5. TWICE - Knock Knock

 

 

 

Twice followed their worst title TT with their best! I know some people don't like it for sounding like a Disney song and I agree, but I like that it's just a simple, catchy piece of pop-rock that sounds nostalgic somehow, like 'old kpop'. A lot better than the 'colour-pop' title tracks Black Eyed Pilseung makes for them, if you ask me. 

 

4. GFRIEND - Fingertip

 

 

 

Rough was my favourite kpop song of 2016, possibly of all time. It was that amazing. GFRIEND managed to do it again this year while changing it up with the KARA/anime sound of Fingertip which along with it's concept, music video, choreography and mini album made for one of the best comebacks this year. Sadly, it was not as well received as their releases last year, leading to the lacklustre rehashes Love Whisper and Summer Rain which also flopped. 

 

3. Baekhyun x Soyou - Rain

 

 

 

I thought it was boring at first too, but it just grew on me as a ballad I could listen to whenever I was sad by two of my favourite vocalists in kpop (RIP SISTAR ) 

 

2. DAY6 - I Wait / Winter is Gone

 

 

 

One of the first slays of the new year, DAY6 served their strongest material early for their monthly project. I Wait incorporated a more explosive, electro-rock sound to their music and resulted in a catchy favourite for everyone, while Winter is Gone is another excellent rock ballad, which is where I think the group excels best; the last chorus and post-chorus where Sungjin belts for his life is one of the finest musical moments of the year for me.

 

1. DAY6 - You Were Beautiful

 

 

 

Absolutely phenomenal song from start to finish, I could not stop replaying it when it came out. 

[IamCY]

10. BTS - WINGS: You Never Walk Alone 

 

I didn't like WINGS, but all 4 of the new tracks here were good to me. Spring Day was the ballad single I'd been waiting for, while Not Today absolutely destroyed all their other 'noise-pop' singles.

 

Trinity: Spring Day, You Never Walk Alone, Not Today

 

 

9. EXO-CBX - Girls 

 

Nowhere near as good as their Korean debut mini, which was a real gem, but a few of the tracks on here are still the best pop money can buy. I like how they're able to release music that's more 'fun' than EXO proper would and show growth as vocalists and occasionally, rappers on the album.

 

Trinty: Miss You, King & Queen, Girl Problems 

 

 

8. JJ Project - Verse 2

 

An unlikely but welcome comeback, it showed how great the results cutting the fat of GOT7 could be. Left with their 2 best vocalists and visuals, the mini made for an enjoyable soundtrack for summer roadtrips, with a sound more akin to DAY6 than their own group.

 

Trinity: On & On, Icarus, Don't Wanna Know

 

Edited January 7, 2018 by IamCY

[IamCY]

7. NCT127 - #LIMITLESS

 

While their songs aren't as good as EXO's (yet) imo, SM doesn't fail to deliver the quality production and songwriting yet again. Great rappers and vocalists in this group too.

 

Trinity: Limitless, Back 2 U, Heartbreaker

 

 

6. BTS - Love Yourself: Her

 

 

A thankful return to their more organic pop of HYYH, a very solid mini (for the first 5 tracks anyway). Glad they got the crazy US recognition and success this year, they've consistently put out quality music to warrant it.

 

Trinity: Serendipity, Dimple, Pied Piper

 

 

5. SNSD - Holiday Night 

 

A solid, underappreciated work like their 2015 effort Lion Heart, with the smash pop singles and wrenching ballads and midtempos that have built SNSD into the biggest girl group Korea has seen in the past 10 years. Some songs are reminiscent of their older albums, which is definitely a good thing for an anniversary project. FAN has one of the best productions this year, the best album track on this for sure, while Light Up The Sky is the classic ballad, a perfect closer.

 

Trinity: All Night/Holiday, Fan, Light Up The Sky

 

 

 

 

[IamCY]

4. DAY6 - Sunrise

 

A half-amazing first full album from DAY6 made of singles released from January to June. I don't listen to the April to June tracks much, otherwise it'd be #1. Their singles in the latter half of 2017 collected in Moonrise were super disappointing as well, clearly they used up their strongest material early. I'd been eating up all the music they've released til then, hopefully their 2018 picks back up. Props to JYP for sticking to the ambitious year-long Everyday6 project anyway, YG could never. 

 

Trinity: Winter is Gone, You Were Beautiful, It Would Have Been 

 

3. EXO - The War (The Power of Music)

 

EXO's summer comeback this year was a huge success, and while exciting as a stan during release week I haven't really listened to it as an album since then. Kokobop's a relatively bad title track for them, while Power was generic fun but didn't have much replay value. While it doesn't hold up against masterpieces EXODUS and EX'ACT, it still served some of the best album tracks in kpop and it goes without saying their vocal line stands above all.

 

Trinity: Forever, Touch It, Going Crazy, (Boomerang) 

 

2. GFRIEND - The Awakening

 

A short, cohesive collection of spacey anime/video game inspired tunes, GFRIEND really stepped it up in sound and concept this time round, tracks #1-4 are all examples of Asian pop excellence. Everyone wet themselves over Hear The Wind Sing on release, but it's track 4 Please Save My Earth that really stands as their best b-side ever. 

 

Trinity: Fingertip, Please Save My Earth, Hear The Wing Sing

 

1. Taeyeon - My Voice (Deluxe) 

 

I was fortunate enough to be able to watch the talented leader of Girls' Generation live on her Persona tour this year, where I was floored by her live band, production value and abilities as a performer, but above all, the beauty of her voice. It was then that it clicked with me, titling her first full-length album 'My Voice' could not have been more fitting. Above the brilliant songwriting and top-notch production of every song, her singing always stood at the forefront, an instrument clear and loud above the bustling sounds of the album.

 

Prior to this album, I thought Taeyeon was overrated as a soloist. Her music was good, but not amazing. After this album, I revisited her previous work and found a new appreciation for her technical and emotional expertise as a vocalist, backed with some of the best songwriting in the world from SM Entertainment. Somehow, this feels like the most personal pop album I've enjoyed since Taylor Swift's Red so it's more amazing that Taeyeon actually did not participate in writing or producing any of the 17 songs on this masterpiece. As a K-POP stan, 'making' your own music as an artist isn't important to me if you can't have the same quality as the expert team of Koreans and Europeans put together for My Voice. Taeyeon knows where her strengths lie, if it allows her to put out music at the breakneck pace she's been doing that is still unmistakably hers, I completely support it. 

 

The sounds of this album are quite varied but I think it's definitely a welcome return to the R&B, balladry and orchestral rock/pop from on her debut mini I rather than the EDM misstep of Why last year. It bought the bops, sure, but anyone can do that with a LDN Noise beat. The only remanent to be found of that on the album is Cover Up, a fan-favourite that I personally never used. It's my personal opinion that pop-rock ballads such as Time Lapse or Fire with big production value fit Taeyeon best and given that I remains her most successful single I don't think I'm the only one. 

 

Choosing Fine as the title track must be one of the weirdest decisions I've seen this year. While it did well, it was a forgettable, by-the-numbers pop ballad that doesn't showcase anything that makes Taeyeon so great. I can honestly say that at least half the album is better: superior pop track Feel So Fine, sexy and experimental I Got Love, genre-bending centrepiece Time Lapse, emotional and western Fire and the masterclass in balladry that is When I Was Young would all have been better additions to her legacy. 

 

The repackage was an average addition; title track Make Me Love You was an unremarkable pop ballad that tried too hard to have an English chorus, I Blame On You a ballad that clearly didn't make the cut the first time around, 11:11 a pleasant pre-release fall single from last year. Curtain Call is quite epic, while Time Spent Walking Through Memories is a nice cover song from the genius that wrote Time Lapse, a fitting tribute to close the album. 

 

I hope Taeyeon continues to impress me in 2018, her making it as a solo artist is definitely the silver lining to the ending of K-POP's 2nd Generation.

 

Trinity: Time Lapse, When I Was Young, I Got Love 

Edited January 13, 2018 by IamCY