Midweek New Music Roundup :: July 24th - 31st

[hitokage]

Welcome, weary travellers, to another midweek music roundup. As per usual in summer months, we've got quite the collection again this week (pushing almost 50), including four debuts and some surprise comebacks. Looking for badass girl band rock? Rolling Quartz. Thinking shoegaze for your Wednesday evening? Try new band Eddie and the Bricks. Want to get your dance on? We've got everything from Katseye to RIIZE. Need a theraputic cry? Try newly debuted Unison or WAKER. Just want to see a couple fluffy puppers? Coda Bridge. Don't know what you want? That's fine, too - grab a snack and take your time browsing the listing.

Banner artist this week is WAKER, with my additional picks going to Yu Seungwoo, MaiJin, RIIZE, and Stray Kids. I am, um, nothing if not predictable?? 😅 What are your favorites this week? Anyone surprise you? Let's chat about it!

Releases for the week of July 24th - 31st:
YS Block - BOOTY (feat. Rosy Barbie) *
Make a Movie - Yangyang (feat. EK) *
KAVE - Legend *
Yu Seungwoo - Playlist *
MaiJin - Pencil stub
New:ID - Ghost (debut) * 🌟
That - umbrella
LIMZY - Pearl City
KATSEYE - Touch *
ARrC - dummy (debut) *
XG - Something Ain't Right (pre-release) *
Seo Inguk - 空のかおり (Japanese release) *
Hwang Inwook - Flirting *
JERO - White crow *
Rolling Quartz - Red Wine *
Eddie and the Bricks - Ms. Summer (debut) *
Yunmin - Take Me Down (The Auditors OST) (audio only)
CRAXY - Masquerade (audio only)
PINKVERSE - Cold Noodles (2024 PINKVERSE remake ver) *
Nayoon - No Tomorrow *
Haeyoon - 보고싶어 지금
JJAX - Skywalker * 🚩
VAN EL - Algorithm
Unison - Only For you (debut)
Kwon Eunbi - Please Summer! *
Vincent Blue - Rain On Me
NIve - TMI
Sun Soonhee (Kitae), Sun Soonhee (Jihwan) - 파도 *
RIIZE - Lucky (Japanese release) *
Stray Kids - Mountains *
Giryeon - In Time (I Love You Bit By Bit OST) *
Henny - La Barbie *
Lacuna - Ghost *
MNZ - 치
Coda Bridge - Over The Line
ANODE - FINE *
ME:I - Hi-Five *
WAKER - To. X *
Muisque - Ocean (audio only)
Dust funk - DADA *
Hoony Keys - Small prayer (audio only)
ARTLOVEU - 소중한 건 여기, 이 순간에 *
10cm - Spring Snow (Lovely Runner OST ver)
9001 - Digital Hello *
Leewoo - You were beautiful (audio only)
Azito Pictures - cherry bomb #2


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.

Xenex - Maddest *
Park Seoyoung - REPEAT
Yoonsoyoung - Angel (feat. twlv) *
cotoba - ice sea (audio only)
Stray Kids - SLASH (audio only)
Natty & Julie (KISS OF LIFE) x Mark Tuan (GOT7) - Superpower (VALORANT Champions 2024) *



* content warning - see entry in the listing below for details
🌟 special note
🚩 suspected of using "AI"


Xenex - Maddest https://youtu.be/KzBqd25LLgk
genre: dance pop
cw: background flashing
note: in researching to find out if this was a new group or not (since I'd not heard of them before but am entirely aware that doesn't mean anything), found out that not only have they been around since 2020, but they've also been through some ridiculous amount of membership drama in those few years, with members quitting and then rejoining and then quitting again. Woof.


Park Seoyoung - REPEAT https://youtu.be/YbIcmsP2ydE
genre: dance pop


Yoongsoyoung - Angel (feat. twlv) https://youtu.be/yD_b-tPOkZs
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, supernatural elements (witchery)


cotoba - ice sea (audio only) https://youtu.be/smn8Yu0JAUA
genre: rock


Stray Kids - SLASH (audio only) https://youtu.be/BMcgZEWM8UM
genre: pop-rock/hip hop
note: sometimes I think SKZ exists just to make me question the utility of genre tags. XD Don't get me wrong, I love a good genrebender and I'm happy as long as they're happy, I just ... sometimes really struggle with how to tag. XD


Natty & Julie (KISS OF LIFE) x Mark Tuan (GOT7) - Superpower
(VALORANT Champions 2024) https://youtu.be/DX4BE9GmpH4
genre: dance pop
cw: animated flashing, animated visual noise/distortions, guns/combat
note: entire video is animation based in the game VALORANT.



YS Block - BOOTY (feat. Rosy Barbie) https://youtu.be/cAgt6GnoxRU
genre: hip hop
cw: flashing, twerking in thongs, visual noise effects, drinking
note: I mean, it's called booty of course it's NSFW (also, I'm clearly not a booty lesbian cuz all that twerking did nothing for me XD)


Make a Movie - Yangyang (feat. EK) https://youtu.be/4rpGdpjT1zg
genre: hip hop
cw: unsteady cam, drinking/drunkenness, flashing
note: please don't mix drinking, horse play, and the ocean unless you know for sure there's life guards on duty. Or ever, really; the ocean will kill you without a second thought if you disrespect her.


KAVE - Legend https://youtu.be/5gQ7_JGm2Yk
genre: rock
cw: unsteady (self-)cam, gas mask, aggressive flashing
note: the flashing is bad on this one, both for speed and for heavy light-dark contrasts. Also, don't swallow fish hooks.


Yu Seungwoo - Playlist https://youtu.be/MxQrux6onu4
genre: pop-rock
cw: animated flashing
note: idol tamogachi? That would be horrible, sign me up. XD I might also be a little annoyed with myself for how long it took me to realize I do too know who Yu Seungwoo is. Brains are the worst.


MaiJin - Pencil stub https://youtu.be/vxd1qrXEl-s
genre: trot
note: Yeah, I thought it'd been awhile since I'd last had a trot track to share. Also, dammit, Korea, I'm already a lesbian, stop it! XD


New:ID - Ghost (debut) https://youtu.be/4g4PeeqyS0U
genre: EDM
cw: flashing effects (various)
note: Okay, here's the thing, this is a Filipino group and I absolutely expect them to focus on that market first, BUT they're signed on MLD and getting Korean promo (which is how I found out about them), so they're getting the same infiltration pass I've given to, like, Boy Story and INI.


That - umbrella https://youtu.be/gkzF_SfwfxE
genre: R&B
note: mild hanky warning for an emotional song


LIMZY - Pearl City https://youtu.be/4HrFtY7eKjE
genre: dance pop
note: ah yes, the feeling of wanting to go home to a place you've never been. It's all the green trees.


KATSEYE - Touch https://youtu.be/l9CZykYZkOQ
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, CRT flashing
note: Didn't they just debut? Already a comeback? Yes, I know, it means this was planned from the start, but still, gonna worry about this setting a bad precedent. Also, ladies, please, if he's been ignoring you that bad? Kick his ass to the curb.


ARrC - dummy (debut) https://youtu.be/jmTs7sWpKD8
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, camera motion
note: there's actually a pretty positive message in this song, but oh boy am I expecting trouble to come for them....


XG - Something Ain't Right (pre-release) https://youtu.be/kd5LJ4r-vEY
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing
note: decora comes to Kpop? This has definite earworm potential, you have been warned. ;)


Seo Inguk - 空のかおり (Japanese release) https://youtu.be/Zug2L8F7i9A
genre: soft rock
cw: post-apocalypse setting, blood/injury
note: the narrative won't hold up if you look at it too closely, so don't do that. XD


Hwang Inwook - Flirting https://youtu.be/iELzTlkJJSY
genre: R&B
cw: drinking, ML being an awkward bean, soju goggles
note: predictable storyline is predictable, sigh.


JERO - White crow https://youtu.be/Y6GumGxy6w4
genre: EDM/hip hop
cw: flashing, unsteady cam, drinking


Rolling Quartz - Red Wine https://youtu.be/pTiPrpRHjnk
genre: rock
cw: spotlights pointed right at the camera
note: this is a double vid - starts with a performance version, then the song repeats while the girls are shot walking around outside the bar where the performance was shot.


Eddie and the Bricks - Ms. Summer (debut) https://youtu.be/QHYIHZXC5Ro
genre: rock
cw: camera motion, lens flares
note: Using "debut" on a rock band has a feel to it all right. XD But since this is their first release, it's the accurate terminology. The camera motion is kind of a lot on this one, if you're sensitive to that.


Yunmin - Take Me Down (The Auditors OST) (audio only) https://youtu.be/VU746O5JCXo
genre: rock


CRAXY - Masquerade (audio only) https://youtu.be/_ZaRF4hL6pg
genre: dance pop
note: was not expecting another release from them this soon, even just an audio only. Kcon effect maybe?


PINKVERSE - Cold Noodles (2024 PINKVERSE remake ver) https://youtu.be/enrAerz6GGc
genre: EDM
cw: animated flashing
note: well of course it's animated, PINKVERSE is an animated/virtual idol group. XD


Nayoon - No Tomorrow https://youtu.be/pjQtFpkQlhk
genre: EDM
cw: lens flares, flashing
note: [insert snarky comment about Spanish in Kpop here]
... ok, but then this link got flagged on FB and I'm just ... there's nothing in here that ought to be getting flagged, but after the utter nonsense Chk Chk Boom has been getting over having Spanish in it... sus much? IDK....


Haeyoon - 보고싶어 지금 https://youtu.be/5-QVpk66J0I
genre: R&B
note: another emotional ballad that may need a hanky warning


JJAX - Skywalker https://youtu.be/G2yTZTxJdbE
genre: hip hop
cw: flashing visual effects (various)
note: almost definitely some "AI" "art" in this video, heavy sigh. Some of it is processes on a real person, but some of it is probably-to-definitely gen-slop.


VAN EL - Algorithm https://youtu.be/WUufr-xIHYY
genre: dance pop
note: aww, what, no, how is this so cute? XD Although I'm not sure that's the right use of "algorithm" XD Then again....


Unison - Only For you (debut) https://youtu.be/LZJXoCEpnYw
genre: R&B
note: and other potential hanky warning for an emotional ballad delivered in four part harmony, oh my soft heart.


Kwon Eunbi - Please Summer! https://youtu.be/Wdpn_mL_l2I
genre: pop
cw: flashing
note: honestly, the idea of just staying home for vacation suits me just fine, thanks.


Vincent Blue - Rain On Me https://youtu.be/hT4B-nlz5EA
genre: R&B
note: that's a scrungly cat cameo, poor baby.


NIve - TMI (audio only) https://youtu.be/pxddz7xmDdc
genre: dance pop


Sun Soonhee (Kitae), Sun Soonhee (Jihwan) - 파도 https://youtu.be/yPvGT77Pkbk
genre: trot
cw: drinking/drunkenness, lens flares, flashing, fireworks


RIIZE - Lucky (Japanese release) https://youtu.be/3Q49g7M5MlU
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing, camera motion
note: Lord of Darkness Sohee still makes me snort every time it comes up. I know they say it's always the ones you least expect, but that's just... yeah. XD


Stray Kids - Mountains https://youtu.be/80H_-aHTUws
genre: hip hop
cw: flashing, arson, guns, canon-typical violence/chaos, Felix
note: kinda hate those glasses on Felix, but he pulls it off, so...


Giryeon - In Time (I Love You Bit By Bit OST) https://youtu.be/-RTja2xPwQc
genre: pop-rock
cw: flashing, suicide attempt
note: Video is all clips from the drama, so may contain spoilers.


Henny - La Barbie https://youtu.be/5d75SlhTrAQ
genre: dance pop
cw: camera motion?
note: can't tell if the camera motion is actually that bad or if I'm just sleep deprived, but marking it just to be on the safe side.


Lacuna - Ghost https://youtu.be/Eo9v800vq6Q
genre: rock
cw: flashing


MNZ - 치 https://youtu.be/EIBmvxX8_rs
genre: dance pop
cw: flashing
note: the love triangle is dumb, but then MNZ is a comedic duo to begin with, so dumb is probably to be expected.


Coda Bridge - Over The Line https://youtu.be/YkB3s3bHs1A
genre: pop
note: two good puppers in this one!


ANODE - FINE https://youtu.be/0aDYrqTnxpg
genre: R&B
cw: depression/mental illness, lens flares
note: the lyrics aren't that straightforward, but for those of us familiar with the illness, we can recognition depression when we see it


ME:I - Hi-Five https://youtu.be/2uU7cWfnuKw
genre: dance pop
cw: lens flares
note: ME:I, by being on Lapone (as a product of their Produce 101 series), gets the same pass-thru as INI, even though they're a Jpop group. Also, cute animated kitty is cute.


WAKER - To. X https://youtu.be/5rR-jtHX5G0
genre: R&B
cw: camera flash, jittery line animations, hanky warning
note: so the story I've seen is that this song was written by Sebum (the member who starts the song) in honor of his sister (deceased), so extra hanky warning for an emotional performance.


Muisque - Ocean (audio only) https://youtu.be/LUWRYn5G2H8
genre: electronica
note: yeah, the line between electronica (general) and EDM (specific) is subjective, bite me. XD


Dust funk - DADA https://youtu.be/K7Buiunez6Q
genre: EDM
cw: flares, CRT flashing/noise, short loops, spider


Hoony Keys - Small prayer (audio only) https://youtu.be/mQN2E8nkD00
genre: neoclassical instrumental
note: I'm always a little sad these always drop so close to the end of my collection period, if only because on big weeks, Hoony Keys would make a nice pause/palette-cleanser in between some of the more fringe tracks that get scooped up along the way (looking at you, experimental KHH artists XD).


ARTLOVEU - 소중한 건 여기, 이 순간에 https://youtu.be/z740ve7JomE
genre: R&B
cw: unsteady cam, water glare


10cm - Spring Snow (Lovely Runner OST ver) https://youtu.be/ok2pqepWTLU
genre: R&B
note: video is clips from the (completed?) drama, so almost definitely contains spoilers. And yes, I know, this is like the third or fourth time we're getting a video with this song. Indeed, I'm totally not at all salty that this is the second MV for Spring Snow and A Day has only a live clip (Spring Snow also has a live clip).


9001 - Digital Hello https://youtu.be/3SbNLyBQV90
genre: rock
cw: lens flares
note: ooph does this feel maybe a little too on point XD


Leewoo - You were beautiful (audio only) https://youtu.be/OHVlUsWL08g
genre: R&B


Azito Pictures - cherry bomb #2 (audio only) https://youtu.be/0aR665L8i4k
genre: rock



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