Midweek New Music Roundup :: July 17th - 24th

[hitokage]

Welcome to another midweek new music roundup! The list of releases this week is quite extensive at almost sixty, plus almost half a dozen previously missed releases, so whatever your vibe, there's almost guaranteed to be something here you'll like. Looking for some good dancing? Mashiho and Jimin are here to start you off right. Girl groups your thing? Dreamcatcher, AleXa, or Gyubin might satisfy that itch. Wanting a trip down memory lane? TRAX have returned (as a duo), as has KARA, and Yoon Jongshin released a series of his older collabs. Looking for rock music? Lee Wonseok, summercomesagain, or LAVEEN may be what you need. Want a more cinematic experience? Stray Kids teamed up with Marvel for their latest, plus there's several OSTs again this week, including tracks from Miss Night and Day and Yumi's Cells. Need some fresh hip-hop, GroovyRoom released two new collabs, plus new tracks from PLAK and TOKAI. Still not sure what you want? Plenty of R&B, a couple jazz releases, plus English versions from Lena Park and Gyubin, so feel free to take your time and browse the list with your fav drink or snack.

This week's banner artist goes to Stray Kids with Ryan Reynolds because I have a weakness for both Felix Lee and Deadpool. Additional top picks from me go to KWACA, &TEAM, GroovyRoom, and, to my personal annoyance, Jimin. XD What are your favorites this week? Anyone surprise you? Let's chat about it!


Releases for the week of July 17th - 24th:
MASHIHO - Dance with me *
KWACA - Like A Movie
DKB - Flirting X *
Ha Sungwoon - Blessed *
BNJX - Run (feat. Suhyun (UKISS))
TRAX - To be continued *
Joonil Jung - Curse
14 (forteen) - if (with Zisu Shin) *
eero - 20 Again *
Haneulwe - moment (audio only)
Park Boeun (CLASS:y) - Savior *
Wendy (Red Velvet) - If I Could Read Your Mind (YUMI's Cells OST)
&TEAM - Koegawari *
GREE - Goodbye *
DallMun - Sleepwalking *
n.SSign - Tiger (New Flavor) *
Yoon Jongshin - 늦잠 (with Ken (VIXX)) *
Yoon Jongshin - 끝 무렵 *
Yoon Jongshin - 니 생각 (with Kim Grimm, Shinchireem) *
Yoon Jongshin - No Schedule (with Kim Yeonwoo) *
2Z - Playground *
Koh Nayoung - Far From Home *
Sanghyun - Red Fun *
Jimin (BTS) - Who *
Stray Kids - Chk Chk Boom *
The Boyz - Gibberish *
Dreamcatcher - Fireflies *
Lee Wonseok (daybreak) - Keep Holding On (Good Partner OST) *
AleXa - Distraction (Clean ver) *
Bora B - Are we happy *
PLAK - Hip Hop *
H5YUN - Summer is over (feat. Rosie)
YURI - CLOUNGE
Mile - Call Me (audio only)
VAHN - Crush On You
LAS - Day & Night (Miss Night and Day OST)
9001 - 사실은그게너를사랑하지않는다는건아니고 *
Norwegian Wood - The Reason Why We Broke Up (feat. EunByeol) (audio only)
Ashatree - To my ex-boyfriend
GroovyRoom - Fasho (feat. pH-1, HAON, TRADE L, Woodie Gochild, BIG Naughty, Sik-K, Jay Park, lIlBOI) *
from20 x HELLO GLOOM - Your Love *
Shin Yeyoung - With a smile
LOUDI - Obsession *
KARA - I Do I Do (Japanese ver) *
TOKAI - First thing (feat. Nieah) (audio only)
sumemrcomesagain - Easy (audio only)
Crackshot - Go Away *
LAVEEN - Moon (feat. Levi) *
Yungin, BM (KARD), Bobby (iKON) - Run It Up *
Chanyoung Park - Sparkling Wine (audio only)
GroovyRoom - IG (feat. Gemini, Dawn, Jay Park, Vince) *
Gyubin - Satellite (English ver) *
Lena Park - Summer Sweet (English ver)
VAHN (Nine.i) - なんだよ *
Jung Dongha, Bora - You and I (South Korea 1% OST) *
BOSS5 - Dream Arirang (audio only)
near - Photographer (audio only)
DIGNITY - 식혀 (debut) *


The Mea Culpa Section:
Sometimes I miss things by a little bit, sometimes by a lot. Here are a few releases from the last few weeks that, for whatever reason, got left behind. (these will lead the listing below)

Hyukoh, Sunset Rollercoaster - Glue *
swja - Star Candy *
KARDI - Having A Good Time *
Purple Kiss - BBB (Japanese ver) *
015B - Memory Washer (feat. Yireh)
timid mood - Rain Falls *


* content warning - see entry in the listing below for details.


Hyukoh, Sunset Rollercoaster - Glue https://youtu.be/Ot38XX3y8Ic
genre: R&B
cw: uncanny animation, assorted insects, video warping effect
note: the first two minutes are intro if you want to skip to the song. The video is beautiful but the animation of statues' mouths can feel a bit hinky, especially when it's the mannequins.


swja - Star Candy https://youtu.be/XU7_j_uhCcY
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, disco ball, lens flares
note: why is this giving me flashbacks to the 80s? XD


KARDI - Having A Good Time https://youtu.be/qIRQpUkDpz4
genre: rock
cw: lens flares, flashing
note: I know you're a good boy, the lyrics say, as two girls are having a series of lovely sapphic moments


Purple Kiss - BBB (Japanese ver) https://youtu.be/r4AEJ6sKHzY
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, guns
note: from what I remember, this is mostly the same video, just partly reshot with Japanese lip sync.


015B - Memory Washer (feat. Yireh) https://youtu.be/qRSOO5qbD6E
genre: dance pop


timid mood - Rain Falls https://youtu.be/bVkulAlZgBA
genre: jazz
cw: flashing (lightning effect)
note: debated whether to file this as R&B or jazz, but in the end, the piano layer pushed me to jazz. Genres are porous, okay?? XD



MASHIHO - Dance with me https://youtu.be/LYS-GygGAe4
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares
note: Mashiho's dancing is so smooth and satisfying to watch. So happy to see he's getting off to a good new start now that he's back home.


KWACA - Like A Movie https://youtu.be/Mbb-Ym13brg
genre: R&B (emphasis on the blues)
note: yeah, this whacked me right in my acoustic guitar weakness and gave me all the feels. Potential hanky warning if you're someone who cries to sadder tunes.


DKB - Flirting X https://youtu.be/mmxNRXBpaXI
genre: dance-pop-rock
cw: lens flares, boy angst, unsteady cam
note: yes, I know that genre tag is a mess, but it straddles all three, though it's more pop-rock than dance


Ha Sungwoon - Blessed https://youtu.be/uV2AmCtssRA
genre: hip-hop dance pop
cw: aggressive flashing
note: I know, welcome to yet another example of why genre is porous af in Kpop XD I probably could have gotten away with just labelling this as hip-hop, but... The flashing is more a video effect than on-set lighting, which doesn't really change anything, just an interesting note. This was not something I would have been expecting from Ha Sungwoon, making it that much more of a treat (I'm such a sucker for artists doing genrebending).


BNJX - Run (feat. Suhyun (UKISS)) https://youtu.be/y3pJOUixFK4
genre: pop
note: Runner 3 looks familiar, but I wouldn't know where to begin to figure out how/why


TRAX - To be continued https://youtu.be/qdq9GpInFLY
genre: pop-rock
cw: lens flares, nostalgia
note: excuse me while I have a long nostalgic squee over this reunion. It's an interesting choice of song for starting a new era, but hey


Joonil Jung - Curse https://youtu.be/5xuptb_NrUY
genre: ballad
cw: smoking


14 (forteen) - if (with Zisu Shin) https://youtu.be/1JIGjBm7wtA
genre: R&B
cw: flashing, visual "artifacts"
note: somehow this made me feel homesick for a place I've never been


eero - 20 Again https://youtu.be/2EZqQaazrAM
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flare


Haneulwe - moment (audio only) https://youtu.be/SpLJ4xUSxfg
genre: soft rock
note: another instance of me having a genre disagreement with the official source XD


Park Boeun (CLASS:y) - Savior https://youtu.be/cUOkz_Axk9I
genre: pop
cw: flashing - effect + camera
note: prominent product placement is prominent


Wendy (Red Velvet) - If I Could Read Your Mind (YUMI's Cells OST) https://youtu.be/jDbIUfhaY4Y
genre: dance pop
note: video is entirely clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers


&TEAM - Koegawari https://youtu.be/DWlzBhgel5s
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, lens flare, visual "artifacts," arson, bandana masks
note: no notes, just happy jagu noises XD


GREE - Goodbye https://youtu.be/BscI1jxMKUk
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing (dark), visual "artifacts"


DallMun - Sleepwalking https://youtu.be/XJTlPrGacN0
genre: EDM
cw: visual "artifacts," fireworks, smoking, concert stage lights, flashing
note: there's a soft but staticy filter over the whole thing that sort of evens out some of the contrasts, but I'm still marking it as flashing cuz yeah


n.SSign - Tiger (New Flavor) https://youtu.be/nhdWMWKfNBo
genre: EDM/hip-hop
cw: flashing, lens flares
note: don't look at me like that, NCT 127 mashes EDM and hip-hop all the time XD


Yoon Jongshin - 늦잠 (with Ken (VIXX)) https://youtu.be/jeHnbMdDyfw
genre: R&B
cw: shirtless male, implied male nudity
note: oh to have someone make me breakfast and coffee so I could just roll out of bed and go to work that easy... The song is old, but the video is new and newly uploaded, so in here it goes


Yoon Jongshin - 끝 무렵 https://youtu.be/z5uhz0J7jhE
genre: R&B
cw: lens flares
note: Another old song with a newly released MV.


Yoon Jongshin - 니 생각 (with Kim Grimm, Shinchireem) https://youtu.be/z8foMCJyjXk
genre: R&B
cw: light flare
note: the backlighting was a choice and it might have been fine except the spotlight is pointed right at the camera, so we catch a faceful of it when the musicians move. Again, an older song but the video is new


Yoon Jongshin - No Schedule (with Kim Yeonwoo) https://youtu.be/yZ-PF4FDtaM
genre: R&B
cw: lens flares, smoking
note: this might be the oldest of the set as far as the song itself goes.


2Z - Playground https://youtu.be/cHwthTa6YWA
genre: rock
cw: lens flares
note: hmm, this amusement park looks familiar somehow ;)


Koh Nayoung - Far From Home https://youtu.be/UnQvpQtYxow
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares, flashing lights


Sanghyun - Red Fun https://youtu.be/To2J2KYG32o
genre: jazz
cw: unsteady cam
note: the hardcoded subs could've been made better. On the other hand, then it would be even more obvious how nonsense the lyrics are. And then they quit entirely around the time he starts scatting, only to come back again for the last bit? Oh fiiinnneeee


Jimin (BTS) - Who https://youtu.be/Av9DvtlJ9_M
genre: EDM
cw: flashing, surrealism, visual "artifacts"
note: Every time a top Kpop dancer does one of Michael Jackson's signature movies, I gain another shot of hope. I may also be a little bit mad about how good this is (but that's a long story I am NOT getting into right now). XD


Stray Kids - Chk Chk Boom https://youtu.be/0P0aQreFs8w
genre: EDM/hip-hop
cw: Deadpool, Wolverine, guns, Hyunjin's vamp vibes, Changbin's everything, Felix Felix Effecting us all
note: Honestly, I need Changbin to crush my soul back into my body. Or just crush me, that would work, too. Also, who told Seungmin he was allowed to grow up??? Also, also, congrats to Ryan Reynolds on becoming the president of Stay. XD


The Boyz - Gibberish https://youtu.be/C9pCpeVfGTc
genre: EDM
cw: flashing
note: you know, every time I start to think I'm learning more of the members, they come back all styled nearly the same and my progress resets. It's been years guys, a little mercy, please?


Dreamcatcher - Fireflies https://youtu.be/lJTk5TPBl9M
genre: ballad
cw: concert stage lights, happy tears
note: hard coded subs in translation? We give all the thanks. (This probably should've been in The Overflow, but I missed it for that and didn't want to let it go unposted)


Lee Wonseok (daybreak) - Keep Holding On (Good Partner OST) https://youtu.be/u0YcXwmJAcE?si=W3AHvYAW4u1XIgLv
genre: rock
cw: camera flashes
note: the video is entirely clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers.


AleXa - Distraction (Clean ver) https://youtu.be/0nN2QauMrY0
genre: rock
cw: visual "artifacts"
note: honestly, she could've just put the censored track over the original video with a little editing, rather than recutting to include some of the alternate footage. It's not hugely different, but different enough.


Bora B - Are we happy https://youtu.be/AVq30sPHUPg
genre: pop
cw: sharp cuts, brightness
note: the brightness is dialed up pretty high on this one, you may want to adjust your settings. On the upside, it showed me how badly I needed to dust my monitor again. :p


PLAK - Hip Hop https://youtu.be/N8kOROLZYUg
genre: hip hop
cw: smoking, flashing, interpersonal conflict/abuse, camera motion


H5YUN - Summer is over (feat. Rosie) https://youtu.be/f_PDpKNWLzQ
genre: pop
note: this is really more of a lyric video, but it's tagged as an MV, so here we are.


YURI - CLOUNGE https://youtu.be/n0MMTHJjPQU
genre: pop
cw: flashing, lens flares


Mile - Call Me (audio only) https://youtu.be/u0B7MZrdbOg
genre: EDM


VAHN (Nine.i) - Crush On You https://youtu.be/ReUiz9RBRE4
genre: pop-rock
note: it's such a simple video but also so cute


LAS - Day & Night (Miss Night and Day OST) https://youtu.be/Chga_iXHZQI
genre: R&B
note: video is entirely clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers


9001 - 사실은그게너를사랑하지않는다는건아니고 https://youtu.be/aSnnb9RhJtA
genre: R&B
cw: flashing video "artifacts"
note: yes, I spent the whole video going back and forth on genre before settling on R&B over soft rock. In the end, it was the bass beat that decided me, but whether that was right or not? Vibes, man, that's all I've got.


Norwegian Wood - The Reason Why We Broke Up (feat. EunByeol) (audio only) https://youtu.be/4FhjT81dZGM
genre: ballad


Ashatree - To my ex-boyfriend https://youtu.be/4Hab-GDno0U
genre: R&B


GroovyRoom - Fasho (feat. pH-1, HAON, TRADE L, Woodie Gochild, BIG Naughty, Sik-K, Jay Park, lIlBOI) https://youtu.be/odDxJliW2Fg
genre: hip-hop
cw: flashing, language
note: tell us how you really feel, guys XD It does worry me that Jay Park is still beefing after over a decade and a half, but, like, it's hard to say if he's seriously beefing or just using it as a good line, you know? Hoping for the latter, cuz otherwise that's not healthy, my guy.


from20 x HELLO GLOOM - Your Love https://youtu.be/HVdNPMxenMQ
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, concert stage lights, shirtless male
note: Puppy! As awesome as arena shows are, small venues like the ones in most of this video are my favorites. They're two completely different concert experiences.


Shin Yeyoung - With a smile https://youtu.be/UTios04lIpw
genre: R&B


LOUDI - Obsession https://youtu.be/EXgq9SLaio4
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares, unsteady cam
note: the camera motion was worse for me than the flashing on this one, but as always, ymmv


KARA - I Do I Do (Japanese ver) https://youtu.be/nlN3f6hCAuQ
genre: dance pop
cw: unsteady cam, lens flare, bright glow effect


TOKAI - First thing (feat. Nieah) (audio only) https://youtu.be/-FAit8Xijy8
genre: hip-hop


summercomesagain - Easy (audio only) https://youtu.be/QL3SM16KJSk
genre: rock
note: for those who are fans of noisy rock XD


Crackshot - Go Away https://youtu.be/n42Y5U23xZc
genre: speed metal
cw: flashing, camera jitter
note: I know I said before I wasn't going to get into metal subgenres, but speed metal is the easy metal to disambiguate and I've been listening to it off and on since the 80s, so, like, yeah XD


LAVEEN - Moon (feat. Levi) https://youtu.be/f3GLrqd-LnQ
genre: pop-rock
cw: flashing, unsteady cam, lens flares
note: my weakness for punk rock boys let me show it to you XD hardcoded subs in both Korean and Japanese that actually stay distinct from the video.


Yungin, BM (KARD), Bobby (iKON) - Run It Up https://youtu.be/8MJyb8Pnwmg
genre: hip-hop
cw: flashing, language, false color, drinking
note: ugh, shoes on the beds, nooooooo


Chanyoung Park - Sparkling Wine (audio only) https://youtu.be/2FGEmTlxDPw
genre: jazz
note: sounds a little bossa nova, but I'm not going to trust that since it's been a few years since I was heavy in my bossa nova phase. XD;;


GroovyRoom - IG (feat. Gemini, Dawn, Jay Park, Vince) https://youtu.be/4K4ce3Gy21E
genre: dance-pop
cw: flashing lights, drinking
note: ok the ending made me snort with laughter XD


Gyubin - Satellite (English ver) https://youtu.be/YVblsRZlw3I
genre: pop
cw: lens flares
note: and to think she was so worried about those high notes (practice does make belting it out easier)


Lena Park - Summer Sweet (English ver) https://youtu.be/YwxnpPvzfAk
genre: pop
note: give the boy in your life some flowers and make his day for no reason at all except to celebrate being alive


VAHN (Nine.i) - なんだよ https://youtu.be/L-npzYZhxtI
genre: rock
cw: flashing
note: Given the context, I'd translate the title as "it is what it is" but with attitude. But my Japanese is broken and mediocre at best, soooo


Jung Dongha, Bora - You and I (South Korea 1% OST) https://youtu.be/1aXVAr_eOfs
genre: R&B
cw: military settings, shirtless males, camera flashes, guns/combat, implied character death
note: video is mostly clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers


BOSS5 - Dream Arirang (audio only) https://youtu.be/67RFIwaGtw8
genre: folk (Korean)
note: the upload is marked "traditional Korean" but given the modern(ish) soundscape, "folk" felt like the better fit? I'm splitting hairs a bit, but...


near - Photographer (audio only) https://youtu.be/Rggv-P1ZTbs
genre: dance pop


DIGNITY - 식혀 (debut) https://youtu.be/M9Jc2RfD2RI
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares
note: a group to watch, in a crowded field, we'll see what they can bring to the table.



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