A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
Earlier this week, I was lukewarm on Yoon Sanha’s new title track but it turns out that the album itself is very strong and Extra Virgin benefits from being surrounded by that material. He’s found a nice, light funk sound with retro elements that work well to showcase his bright energy. Bad Mosquito is a fun highlight (with a fun title), but the 90s throwback 6PM (Nobody’s Business) grabbed my attention the most.
There’s a certain style of 90s hip-hop beat that will appeal to me regardless of the song or performer attached to it. Any track that utilizes these elements of g-funk augmented with 80s synth instantly earns its place on my playlist. This style buoyed Young Posse’s Ate That and TWS’s First Hooky last year and does the same for 6PM. On its face, this is a simple pop track with a fun — but lightweight — series of melodies. However, the production turns it into a summertime stomper, adding plenty of groove and a sense of fullness that instantly gets my head nodding. I can never have enough songs like this — especially during these warmer months.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
