[delayed post] Midweek New Music Roundup :: March 5th - 12th

[hitokage]

I know, I was doing so well last week and then this week ... well.... It's been a week all right. But I'm here with over 60 new tracks for your listening enjoyment, with a mix of everything from hiphop to dance rock to trot to R&B and jazz. With comebacks from BTOB to XG, Hoshi x Woozi to VANDO, 10cm to W24, AleXa to Xiumin, plus debuts from GENBLUE, SUNNYKEY, and Yeji of ITZY. Whether your genre of choice is dance or hiphop, rock or trot, jazz or R&B, odds are you'll find something to enjoy here, so grab yourself a drink and/or your favorite snack and give the list a browse.

Banner artist slot this week got split partly to see if I could pull it off and mostly because I was struggling to really narrow things down, so we have both Odetari with Hongjoong of ATEEZ and then Seventeen's Hoshi x Woozi. Additional picks this week from me go to BTOB, NTX, SF9, and ONEWE. And AleXa. And Seulgi. Okay, I'll stop.... 😆

note 1: despite the delay in posting, this listing only covers the span from March 5th to 12th, cutting off at roughly 1am ET (2pm Korean time).
note 2: The surrealism tag popped up a lot this week - we're apparently in the middle of a trend - and just how surreal things got varied a good bit from vid to vid. NEWBEAT, for example, went a lot further into the weird than, say, Xiumin, but I don't really have a good way of conveying levels of weird at this stage. I'm thinking about how I might scale things better in the future if this keeps up (probably something like the more specific elements when using the supernatural tag), but in the meantime, just ... use your best judgment as best you can, I guess? As far as I remember, NEWBEAT was the most surreal offering out of everyone this week.

Releases for the week of March 5th - 12th:
BTOB - LOVE TODAY *
ONEWE - The Starry Night *
NEWBEAT - JeLLo *
SOYER - MINISCI (audio only)
Gong Hoon - Why Can't I Love You (feat. Kim Kwangmin) *
symptomer - DeadSkin (audio only)
Vando - D.R.O.P *
SEOAN - Suffering
Jeong Dongwon - Gift *
INFINITE - Dangerous *
10cm - To Reach You
GENBLUE - ACT LIKE THAT (Korean debut) *
W24 - Seize the Day *
mellow button - I missed those days (audio only)
Cho Soojin - Just for one day (with Phantom Friends) (audio only)
COCONA - Where's my soul *
j-hope (BTS) - Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)
JENNIE (BLACKPINK) - like JENNIE *
AleXa - sugarcoat *
TREASURE - YELLOW *
sunoa, Ben Bliss - Merry Go Round
Elaine - Stand By Me (Buried Hearts OST) *
sunoa, Ben Bliss - Boring
OVAN - billionaire (feat. VINXEN, Im Soo) *
Hearts2Hearts - Butterflies *
Ted Park x Sik-K - Lipstick *
runghwa - jinjinjin (audio only)
Blue Mangtto - I'm Afraid (feat. In Hyeyeo)
Blue Mangtto - Nine Years Old *
Jeong Yejun - Just for a day, just for a moment *
Blue Mangtto - Don't Get Confused
Blue Mangtto - I'm Returning to School
The NuTs - Love Can't Be Forced *
shaltt - Live on (audio only)
VMX - Love, Replay (feat. MISO (DreamNote), Yuuuz)
ki:ssy - Little Puppy
Ellap - Love shot (feat. AVN) (audio only)
Sticky Boyz - XE XE XE
Kassy - Bird Song (The potato lab OST) *
Odetari - SMB (feat. Hongjoong (ATEEZ)) *
Hoony Keys - Spring dream (audio only)
SNIFF - Fell for You (feat. Yu Rokyeom) *
OSCiiL - Mosaic *
Jina Kang - Name (audio only)
NTX - OVER N OVER *
NIDA - Say My Name
Hoshi x Woozi (Seventeen) - 95ers
Yeji (ITZY) - Air (solo debut) *
UmYull - Desolation *
XG - IS THIS LOVE *
Xiumin (EXO) - WHEE! *
GUNWOO - SHOT *
Seulgi (Red Velvet) - Baby, Not Baby *
Jennie (BLACKPINK) & Dua Lipa - Handlebars *
Sebin - Be Sebin (debut) *
FISTBUMP - ROCK U (audio only)
TILDE - Romantic Tutu * +
BORAN - Obsessed
Kim Byunghyun - After this dawn +
SF9 - Love Race *
KOREA CRACKER - Don't leave me (feat. Hoyeon Kim)
holden - dancing with the moon (audio only)
Yubin Jo - Into the rippling waves (audio only)
Shin Mirae - Tears All of Sudden
SUNNYKEY - Shadow Dance (debut)


key:
* content warning - see item below for specific warnings
+ comes with "disappearing" hardcoded subs

The Mea Culpa section is temporarily empty. We'll see how long that lasts....

note 3: to keep artists' work together, despite how they're listed above, releases from a single artist/team (Jennie, sunoa x Ben Bliss, Blue Mangtto) have been pulled back together in the links below to make them easier to find.


BTOB - LOVE TODAY https://youtu.be/sZxtDAacNck
genre: R&B
cw: lens flares
note: It always feels weird to see Peniel with "longer" hair, I'm so used to the buzz cuts.


ONEWE - The Starry Night https://youtu.be/viFoFxrC5h8
genre: rock
cw: lens flares, flashing
note: much more of a performance-focused MV ... and there's nothing wrong with that. When in doubt, KISS is always a good rule. XD


NEWBEAT - JeLLo https://youtu.be/nz9SFMVuEIg
genre: EDM
cw: flashing, surrealism, blood/injury
note: this video is such a hot fucking mess, just like the song 😆 Clearly understanding what is going on is completely optional!


SOYER - MINISCI (audio only) https://youtu.be/HZTIwrqXps4
genre: hiphop


Gong Hoon - Why Can't I Love You (feat. Kim Kwangmin) https://youtu.be/V5KL4dJqBRw
genre: folk rock (ballad)
cw: drinking, potential hanky warning?
note: genre tag may be wrong, but it feels too sad to be trot, so...


symptomer - DeadSkin (audio only) https://youtu.be/OGdRJFvWBm8
genre: rock


Vando - D.R.O.P https://youtu.be/WaL2VWSk7ZU
genre: hiphop
cw: flashing, camera motion
note: considering this is otherwise just a recording studio session, the camera motion does add dynamism, but woof


SEOAN - Suffering https://youtu.be/zvSZS3KqT5I
genre: R&B
note: glitter everywhere for days and weeks after this shoot


Jeong Dongwon - Gift https://youtu.be/KDtAlNzAeMY
genre: R&B
cw: stage lights pointed at the camera
note: once upon a time, this is the sort of thing that would've only been in The Overflow, but since I can't manage to do those posts right now....


INFINITE - Dangerous https://youtu.be/O4WQFp9oCRQ
genre: dance pop
cw: camera flashes, shirtless men, guns, flashing lights, implied police, drinking
note: this whole MV is dangerous all right. Need to watch it again. 😆


10cm - To Reach You https://youtu.be/Ry1RrIVyl1M
genre: rock
note: video has been formatted/optimized for mobile screens. Feels a bit weird to see 10cm doing not-R&B, but he's killing it, so I'm here for it.


GENBLUE - ACT LIKE THAT (Korean debut) https://youtu.be/VMKrGYh-t5M
genre: dance pop
cw: scratchy/glitchy video "artifacts"
note: new group from a Taiwanese survival show, they just debuted last summer and this is their entrance into the Korean market (hence their appearance on this list)


W24 - Seize the Day https://youtu.be/ksAV2KU8KPY
genre: hard rock
cw: flashing lights, camera motion
note: they were clearly having a blast with this video


mellow button - I missed those days (audio only) https://youtu.be/BY6fxGMoDPk
genre: neoclassical instrumental
note: need a moment to rest? Go ahead, catch your breath...or save this pause for later.


Cho Soojin - Just for one day (with Phantom Friends) (audio only) https://youtu.be/XKaOzsl4ztY
genre: adult contemporary
note: I'm just going to assume the "crossover" tag the uploader used was a reference to the operatic male voices


COCONA - Where's my soul https://youtu.be/B3kG-1Wawd8
genre: soul/R&B
cw: lens flares
note: the hard subs are ... I appreciate that an effort was made ... but it was a bad effort, so, like, sigh. Just... just soft sub shit instead, Kpop. if you're going to make such a consistent mess of hard subs.


j-hope (BTS) - Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel) https://youtu.be/kW1e8NtdW90
genre: R&B
cw: surrealism, lens flares
note: oh I hope they hired an actual animator for that dancing Mona Lisa... Ok, but how mad are fans that there's actually a girl at the end? 😜


JENNIE (BLACKPINK) - like JENNIE https://youtu.be/JSFG-IE8n_c
genre: EDM
cw: f-bombs, flashing, glitching
note: probably shouldn't've used what looks very much like genAI background art on a lyric about how you're better than AI honey. At the least, if you're going to load an English CC, you should, you know, have it actually be the English translation (Yes, I'm mad about this)

JENNIE (BLACKPINK) & Dua Lipa - Handlebars https://youtu.be/seARsMwjbEU
genre: R&B
cw: flashing effects (various), surrealism
note: the amount of flashing is really distracting, but hey, if it makes her happy....


AleXa - sugarcoat https://youtu.be/DD4qqoq5Rwk
genre: pop rock
cw: camera motion, flashing visual effects, lens flares
note: The contrast here is so sharp, AleXa brings her A game as always.


TREASURE - YELLOW https://youtu.be/R55VGD7aYUI
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares, flashing lights, camera motion
note: aren't you guys a little old for high school drama plots? 😜 I'm amused by the throwback dance moves. Good work, guys.


sunoa, Ben Bliss - Merry Go Round https://youtu.be/E8srTSIBFYM
genre: pop rock
note: this is labelled as a visualizer, but the awkwardly cut together/looped short clips don't really visualize anything, so I'm... at a bit of a loss.

sunoa, Ben Bliss - Boring https://youtu.be/nOhLabT9lZo
genre: dance pop
note: calls itself a visualizer, but it's just a music video



Elaine - Stand By Me (Buried Hearts OST) https://youtu.be/5b3TbTa3xEE
genre: R&B
cw: lens flare, kidnapping, violence
note: video is clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers


OVAN - billionaire (feat. VINXEN, Im Soo) https://youtu.be/oVW6f3BedZI
genre: hiphop
cw: aggressive flashing, camera motion, glitch effects


Hearts2Hearts - Butterflies https://youtu.be/hJ9Wp3PO3c8
genre: R&B
cw: surrealism/possible supernatural elements, lens flares
note: kitty! Not 'til the very end, though, and I'm still a bit lost to what's happening


Ted Park x Sik-K - Lipstick https://youtu.be/VmdW_zv9PRw
genre: hiphop
cw: lens flares
note: Really, we're censoring "shit" this week? AND abusing CC! We're on the bad shit roll this week already and Abuela's Not Having It.


runghwa - jinjinjin (audio only) https://youtu.be/NKeVFOOhfvc
genre: alt rock


Blue Mangtto - I'm Afraid (feat. In Hyeyeo) https://youtu.be/WFms32II5LY
genre: adult contemporary
note: oh look, hard subs that stay distinct/legible

Blue Mangtto - Nine Years Old https://youtu.be/gekCJj5AfRg
genre: jazz
cw: flashing
note: might be dead of cute, check back later 😆

Blue Mangtto - Don't Get Confused https://youtu.be/r8cMzS9_-b0
genre: adult contemporary
note: ngl, kinda want that bed, but maybe a bit of a smaller version? And I'd have to rearrange my entire office to make it work, so....

Blue Mangtto - I'm Returning to School https://youtu.be/nhxXQV71BpI
genre: jazz
note: oh another cute one


Jeong Yejun - Just for a day, just for a moment https://youtu.be/nc5IMfHc8Jo
genre: adult contemporary
cw: spotlight pointed at the camera


The NuTs - Love Can't Be Forced https://youtu.be/MNkhdeNEUiQ
genre: soft rock
cw: lens flares


shaltt - Live on (audio only) https://youtu.be/5LxMhiUMjac
genre: R&B
note: oh that bass drop, yes please


VMX - Love, Replay (feat. MISO (DreamNote), Yuuuz) https://youtu.be/69z6IJWCCvw
genre: R&B


ki:ssy - Little Puppy https://youtu.be/Tr5C80Hld0Q
genre: folk rock
note: who's a goodest little pupper? 😆 features actual puppy sounds


Ellap - Love shot (feat. AVN) (audio only) https://youtu.be/_PtltMfoMQc
genre: EDM


Sticky Boyz - XE XE XE https://youtu.be/iBMRJ1BXd84
genre: hiphop
cw: flashing, face masks, smoking. drinking
note: filing this under gangster hiphop


Kassy - Bird Song (The potato lab OST) https://youtu.be/7jNPDLNfrII
genre: R&B
cw: attack bird, overblown melodramatic acting
note: video is entirely clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers. That said, now I'm half tempted to give this a watch, even though I can't with most romcom k-dramas. Like it looks incredibly stupid, but in a way that's possibly just cute?


Odetari - SMB (feat. Hongjoong (ATEEZ)) https://youtu.be/b5P3O6uXCc0
genre: hiphop
cw: aggressive flashing, glitch effects
note: No, Odetari is not Korean (he's Palestinian-American). Yes, this track has already been shared in the weekly roundup before. This is a new MV with the actual artists that Hongjoong took time to shoot while on tour. Because he is good hyung. That said, if you're feeling at all photosensitive, give this one a pass - if it had been any longer (just a little over two minutes), I would have had to nope out of watching it myself.


Hoony Keys - Spring dream (audio only) https://youtu.be/-poUxl7FQy0
genre: neoclassical instrumental
note: if you're going straight down the list, this is some genre whiplash. Maybe come back later? 😜 On the other hand, you might need the break by now, so....


SNIFF - Fell for You (feat. Yu Rokyeom) https://youtu.be/Jj-k0WkBEt4
genre: R&B
cw: flashing effects, camera motion/unsteady cam
note: the push-pull motion wouldn't be so bad, but the way the camera waggles all around like a drunk while it's at it tips this into potential seasickness warning.


OSCiiL - Mosaic https://youtu.be/u5lCy2_PrGo
genre: rock
cw: flashing effects


Jina Kang - Name (audio only) https://youtu.be/uNcrWrOVuJA
genre: soft rock


NTX - OVER N OVER https://youtu.be/HvSxfGbB_Xw
genre: dance pop
cw: glitch effects, surrealism, drinking/drunkenness
note: I mean, I really don't need to be learning any more groups, but as long as we're here, I'm gonna appreciate that they're giving the names to the lead on each line in the CC. Upon further viewing, I'm ... pretty sure those are soda bottles, but since they're acting like drunks for part of the video.... 😜


NIDA - Say My Name https://youtu.be/4Tc0X5gj8RY
genre: soft rock
note: kitty! Just a quick cameo, but I can't resist


Hoshi x Woozi (Seventeen) - 96ers https://youtu.be/rEBHjYQ8HoI
genre: hiphop
cw: surrealism, flashing lights
note: I'm trying to ignore the pattern that means these two are probably going to be the next members to announce their pending enlistment. It's not going well.


Yeji (ITZY) - Air (solo debut) https://youtu.be/TamDOXponnM
genre: dance pop
cw: aggressive flashing
note: I spent the whole video trying to figure out why she looks fake and never did figure it out. I'm fully aware Yeji's a real person, but something about this just feels ... off. And I'm not sure I would've even had that thought if not for the rise of genAI, so I'm extra frumple about that I can't put my finger on why this feels wrong. Or else I'm just losing my mind (always a possibility these days, sadly).


UmYull - Desolation https://youtu.be/MsEdUqnA9zo
genre: folk rock
cw: animated flashing
note: the scribble cat face nearly always pasted over the ML's face is bugging the crap out of me. I think I get the point being made, but it still bugs me


XG - IS THIS LOVE https://youtu.be/aHTI0SXGVS0
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, surrealism
note: I have Opinions about whether or not you can queerbait in MVs, so I'm just going to not say anything else.


Xiumin (EXO) - WHEE! https://youtu.be/vHOhyiEShUM
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, surrealism
note: sir, that suit looks horrifying, just... why? And why so much of the time? Unless this is all a clever scheme to trick people into thinking you're still baby? 😜


GUNWOO - SHOT https://youtu.be/DLmtaIlOlcI
genre: hiphop
cw: flashing, camera motion


Seulgi (Red Velvet) - Baby, Not Baby https://youtu.be/S-VLzICd2FE
genre: dance pop
cw: camera motion/unsteady cam, f-bombs (beeped)
note: Seulgi does crazy out of control a little too well, it's a bit scary.



Sebin - Be Sebin (debut) https://youtu.be/3tp_tf-2iFg
genre: rock
cw: flashing effects (various), lens flares
note: I'm marking this as her debut, since as far as I can tell, this is her first release, but now that pre-debut releases are irregular things, who knows. Either way, I'd say she's off to a strong start.


FISTBUMP - ROCK U (audio only) https://youtu.be/7lW7Q4S7Vho
genre: rock
note: I'm always going to be supportive of rocker boys in skirts, yes. Even if it turns out that isn't a skirt on the bassist, that is a heart guitar in the guitarist's hands, so yes, they still have all of my attention.


TILDE - Romantic Tutu https://youtu.be/MShTU8NJY6Q
genre: rock
cw: flashing effects (various), unsteady cam
note: what, pray tell, is the point of putting the lyrics on your video when you're just going to let them disappear into the video footage because they are small and skinny and white? I gave up trying to read them, it just wasn't happening. But at least we got a brief appearance of a very good boi (pupper)?


BORAN - Obsessed https://youtu.be/vujL0inTsjM
genre: R&B


Kim Byunghyun - After this dawn https://youtu.be/yqyVLz0qINo
genre: R&B
note: a more normal level of struggling to be able to read the hard subs


SF9 - Love Race https://youtu.be/fAmDoiuJgWw
genre: dance rock
cw: Yoo Taeyang's pretty face, flashing visual effects
note: Hwiyoung trying to come for my bias spot, rude. Do not attempt these vehicle stunts at home - these were done by trained professionals under controlled conditions.


KOREA CRACKER - Don't leave me (feat. Hoyeon Kim) https://youtu.be/6ussweSJq6k
genre: R&B
note: With a name like Korea Cracker ... I don't even know where to start. Naming weirdness aside, it's a sweet/cute song


holden - dancing with the moon (audio only) https://youtu.be/O0hWIHrodag
genre: R&B


Yubin Jo - Into the rippling waves (audio only) https://youtu.be/P5dxYcJ4XLw
genre: adult contemporary (ballad)


Shin Mirae - Tears All of Sudden https://youtu.be/VbxEN57yU68
genre: trot
note: this is a more mournful track than one usually thinks of with trot


SUNNYKEY - Shadow Dance (debut) https://youtu.be/H-pTrQjHQgw
genre: soft rock
note: some soft jazzy slow rock to wind down the listing this week from a brand new girl band! They've gone cutesy for this video, we'll see what comes next from these ladies. Hwaiting!

Look at that, you made it to the end~ What were your favorite(s) this week? Any surprises? Let's chat!




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