Ranking Kpop Releases August 2022
We’re back with another monthly ranking. I really like these because I get to see how these will shuffle at the end of the year when their longevity is more important and recency bias has worn off. I’m especially excited for this because a lot of my favorite artists released music in August, so I get to listen to a lot of songs that I feel hyped for. And finally, the major caveat as with last month is that I’m only ranking songs that I feel positive feelings for, ManelyKpop is never going to be an outlet for the writers to be mean, we want to build up what we love, not tear down things that don’t suit us, because other people can still love it. So let’s dive in!
14. Rocket Punch- Flash
I have discussed my love for Rocket Punch in the past, for a little while they were my second favorite group, although, they have admittedly fallen off for me a bit musically. I think this was a step in the right direction, the chorus is pretty interesting, but the post chorus “lights, signal, action” isn’t to my taste and the verses don’t live up the chorus quality. I think this is actually only the second best Rocket Punch song this year, but the best one is actually their Japanese release Fiore.
13. E.So- Black Ocean
I had E.So’s Orgel in my top songs for all of last year, so I had very high expectations heading into Black Ocean. I will say that this isn’t as good as Orgel, but it is still pretty unique and interesting in its own right. I like the way that the music almost mirrors the rhythm of gentle ocean waves as she sings “love’s like an ocean” and especially love the “dalalala”s heading into the chorus.
12. Twice- Talk That Talk
I don’t really have anything particular to hype up about this song outside of really liking the bopping that the chorus gets me to do. The energy brought to the chorus, particularly from Nayeon and Sana is fantastic.
11. Lucy- 10sec
The opening instrumental to this song is absolutely bonkers good. It reminds me a lot of one of the tracks from Final Fantasy 13, although I can’t for the life of me tell you which one it is. The energy overall is solid, but that opening section, and its repetition is what really elevates this song for me.
10. SNSD- Forever 1
I was optimistic that we might get an SNSD comeback, but was never fully sure until it actually started happening. This is another song that really rides the incredibly fun chorus, and like Super Junior’s Mango, this has a feeling of coming from an older group, which suits me since I’m in their age range too. I really like how much all the unique voices get to shine while all coming together too. SM did a genuinely good job here, and it’s so nice to have an SNSD comeback at this quality level.
9. Lucy- Knowhow
Lucy gets groovy and it works really well for them. I always am a bit of a sucker for the groovy songs, the vibes, the energy, it works so well for me. I really like the ebb and flow of the song, it will quiet, then pick up, rinse, and repeat, so not only is there the moment to moment ups and downs but the overarching picture too.
8. Youha- Last Dance
I only found out about this song a few minutes before starting work on this article, so this is a very gut reaction placement and is very likely to shift. I love the artistic, dark, sexy, tone, Youha’s voice is really good for it. This is easily my favorite release from her and I’m really curious to see where she goes from here, if she leans into this more my opinion of her will keep going up.
7. Leo- Losing Game
I talked about liking groovy songs earlier, and Leo hits that really well with Losing Game. This almost could be a Woodz song from last year honestly, it just has more of an r&b than a rock energy. I favor the rock, but this is great too.
6. Lucy- My Warm Loneliness
One of my all time favorite movies, and my all time favorite animated movie, is Howl’s Moving Castle, and this song has all the feeling of that movie’s soft moments to me. That sway like grass in the wind, the gentle feeling of a breeze across a field, and a ballroom dance’s elegance. It’s a beautiful track, and very unlike most of what we get in kpop.
5. Yena- Smartphone
Yena is really establishing a sound for herself and it’s a really fun one. She’s got high energy, positive, 2000s energy and owns it like nobody else can. While this isn’t as good as Smiley for me, it’s still a top tier song that I could listen to a ton and not feel sad, definitely slots into a playlist to listen to when you need a smile. Yena, keep being a goddess.
4. Ive- After Like
I don’t know what’s after like for Ive, but I do know that after listening to this song, I did like it. Jokes aside, Ive are just such a top tier group and musically they’re pretty diverse and interesting. I love the “you-hoo and i-i” and the rap section where other songs would normally slow down, really pushing the pacing. I don’t really know how I feel about the “I Will Survive” sample but it makes me think of the greatest sports movie of all time, the Replacements, so we’ll lean positive on it. Just realized how much evoking a loved movie of mine helps a song feel fun.
3. Lucy- Play
Beautiful piano based chorus, soft nostalgic vocals that carry you to a different place in space and time, to the you that you used to be. A slow buildup rising into a triumphant, yet still nostalgic chorus that tapers softly off into the tones from earlier in the song. Wow, it’s just beautiful, Lucy really did an incredible job with this song and it’s such a joy to listen to.
2. Lucy- You Are My Light
Every time I hear this song it just makes me want to cry from the overwhelming emotion it brings, I’m quite literally tearing up right now. It’s got this romance and beauty to it, an elegant softness that just hits me right where my heart is in a way that I can’t even really put into words as well as I wish I could. If you listen to this song and feel the same way let me know, it’s just so beautiful.
1. Eunbi- Light
Good lord Eunbi has had an incredible year after starting off a little rocky with Door. I really love the edm nature of this song, and the way it goes absurdly hard during the chorus just gets me feeling absolutely hyped. If I want to recharge my energy, this song will do the trick every time. The future electronic tones are really great too, and again, the aggression with which the chorus hits is just pure fire.
