MUSIC TO MY (Y)EAR • 2023 » The Novel Hermit

My music world got turned upside down because of Seventeen. They’re all I listened to, but also Kpop and Arctic Monkeys. I wouldn’t have it any other way; they’re what brings me joy.

Here are the albums I listened to. (It is in order of when I listened to them, and the links go to Spotify.)

NEWJEANS \| New Jeans

NewJeans 뉴진스 is a South Korean girl group formed by ADOR, a subsidiary of Hybe Corporation, in 2022. They debuted with a self-titled extended play called New Jeans.

One of the best new girl groups.

Their songs are so refreshing, and every member are so talented. They’re the only new girl group in recent years that I listen to every song of their EP. If I listen to all the songs and continue to, they are an absolute bias.

(Ditto and OMG aren’t on this album, but I’m lumping it here because I listened to it along with their debut album.)

My Fave Songs: Hype Boy, Hurt, Ditto, OMG

EPIK HIGH \| Strawberry

Epik High (Hangul: 에픽하이) is a South Korean alternative hip hop group from Seoul, composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz. Strawberry is the third EP from Epik High.

Of course Epik High continues to be on my yearly music post. And yet again, they released a new album—albeit a mini one—and it’s great, but oh too short!!

I do admit this album is lacking a bit, but I never say no to any music from them.

My Fave Songs: On My Way (feat. Jackson Wang), Catch (feat. Hwa Sa)

FIFTY FIFTY \| The Fifty

Fifty Fifty 피프티 피프티 is a South Korean girl ground that debuted in 2022 and went viral on Tik Tok on Cupid.

Can we talk about how lovely and catchy their songs are? The voices, the instruments—yes. I wish we got more, but with scandalous

God, it’s a damn shame how quickly Fifty Fifty rose to fame and fell.

My Fave Songs: Lovin Me, Higher, Tell Me

ONEW \| Circle

Onew is the leader of SHINEE 드림캐쳐, a South Korean boy group formed by SM Entertainment in 2008. Circle is his first studio album.

Onew’s voice is so soulful. He showcases his range so well throughout this entire album. You gotta appreciate the acoustic sound of some of his songs and the incredible falsettos he does.

This album is well-rounded.

My Fave Songs: O (Circle), Anywhere, Expectations, Always

SEVENTEEN \| FML

Seventeen 세븐틴 is a South Korean boy group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2015. FML is their tenth EP released in April.

FML changed my entire life—and what I mean by that is I became a full-on Seventeen fan because of it. Like holy shit guys.

Every single song on this album is top tier. You get the epic single—”Super 손오공,” a fucking anthem with references to the Monkey King, lyrics that give off so much power, and catchy kick rhythms; “F*ck My Life”—their other single—about losing oneself in this terrible world; “April Shower” with its gorgeous vocals about how even though you might be struggling, there will be better times; the unit songs exuding different vibes—”Fire” (hip hop unit) with its strong beats about their confidence; “I Don’t Understand But I Love You” (performance unit) with their very sensual R&B-esque song about not understanding via language barriers; and “Dust” (vocal unit) with their top vocals belting out about being reminded of old memories

My Fave Songs: April Shower, Super, Fire, I Don’t Understand But I Love You, F*ck My Life,

SEVENTEEN \| Alllllll their albums

Seventeen 세븐틴 is a South Korean boy group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2015.

A good portion of my 2023 was spent listening to nothing but Seventeen. And I mean allllllll their albums. (I was that obsessed—still am.)

What’s not to love about an artist who have great personalities and produces music that is super versatile and catchy? You get Freshteen songs, but also darker versions of themselves. Also, they are fun people who are a joy to watch.

I could talk all day about Seventeen, but let’s listen to their songs.

My Fave Album: Attacca

My Fave Songs: Light A Flame, Fallin’ Flower, Flower, Hot, I can’t run away, 24H, To you, Beautiful, Fearless, Etc etc alllllllllllllllllllll

DREAMCATCHER \| Apocalypse: From Us

Dreamcatcher 드림캐쳐 is a South Korean girl group formed by Happy Face Entertainment, known for the rock style in their music. Apocalypse: Follows Us is their eighth extended play album.

Any time Dreamcatcher releases new music, the world has been blessed.

They continue on that familiar sound of theirs—metal rock with the epic guitar riffs and a bit of electronic mixed into it.

“Bon Voyage”—the single—is definitely one of my top favorite songs from them. It definitely has like anime ending song vibes. It’s fantastic.

My Fave Songs: Bon Voyage, Propose, To. You

NEWJEANS \| Get Up

NewJeans 뉴진스 is a South Korean girl group formed by ADOR, a subsidiary of Hybe Corporation, in 2022. Get Up is their second EP that was released in July.

Why are all their songs so catchy, but short?! I want more NewJeans! The world deserves it.

Every minute of this album is worth your time. Every song had me singing along. All will have everybody dancing.

My Fave Songs: Cool With You, Get Up, ETA, Super Shy

SEVENTEEN \| Always Yours

Seventeen 세븐틴 is a South Korean boy group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2015. Always Yours is their compilation album for their Japanese songs.

Every one of Seventeen’s Japanese singles are a fucking vibe.

There isn’t a single they put out that I didn’t love. They consistently put out hits after hits—even in Japanese. Even their dance choreography is amazing.

My Fave Songs: Ima -Even If the World Ends Tomorrow- (今 -明日世界が終わっても-), Sara Sara, Fallin’ Flower 舞い落ちる花びら, Not Alone ひとりじゃない , 24H, Call Call Call, Happy Ending

ARCTIC MONKEYS \| The Car

Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield. The band consists of Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O’Malley, and Matt Helders. The Car is their seventh studio album.

A re-listen because of the Arctic Monkeys concert!

“I don’t care what people think or say about Arctic Monkeys’ sound; it is top tier. Their sound has evolved for the better from what it once was (far away from the heavy guitar riffs).

The Car builds their sound from their previous album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, but it’s not a jarring experimental sound that made their previous album polarizing for people. This album maintains that loungey vibe with a bit of orchestral style as well funk and various other genres that are beautifully woven into each songs. It’s a beautiful evolution, and it’s become one of my favorite Arctic Monkeys album.”

My Fave Songs: Sculptures of Anything Goes, There’d Better Be A Mirrorball, Body Paint, I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am, Jet Skis on a Moat, Big Ideas, Perfect Sense

SEVENTEEN \| Seventeenth Heaven

Seventeen 레드벨벳 is a South Korean boy group formed by Pledis Entertainment in 2015. Seventeenth Heaven is their eleventh EP released in October.

What a 180 from the FML sound!

Seventeenth Heaven is the return of that Freshteen sound they were well-known for. “God of Music” is just a fantastic funky song about music; you can tell they enjoy making music for people. “Monster” is a perfect spooky Halloween vibe song. “Yawn” is so goddamn beautiful that was written specifically for one of the members (Seungkwan) who was going through a hard time. Seventeen really cares about each other and their music, and it shows.

My Fave Songs: God of Music, Yawn, Monster

EPIK HIGH \| Screen Time

Epik High (Hangul: 에픽하이) is a South Korean alternative hip hop group from Seoul, composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz. Strawberry is the third EP from Epik High.

Another induction to my Sleepy playlist!

I love, love, loooooveeeee this song. It’s better than their Strawberry album—dare I say!! And that’s saying a whole lot. I love Epik High songs that lulls me to sleep—it’s comforting.

My Fave Songs: Screen Time

RED VELVET \| Chill Kill

Red Velvet 레드벨벳 is a South Korean girl group formed by S.M. Entertainment. Chill Kill is their third full album.

Why is this their only third FULL album?!

GIVE THESE GIRLS MORE MUSIC TO RELEASE!!

Because goddamn, Chill Kill is absolutely album of the year for me. Red Velvet are actually the queens of concepts. And have you heard these girls harmonize together? They’re fucking angels.

This album is so cohesive and exudes the gothic vibe I love (mixed in with pop and energetic beats). Take Chill Kill, it’s a great song that showcases 100% of sides—both the RED (bright upbeat) and VELVET (dark). You have a couple of songs like “Underwater” and “Wings” that give off that R&B sound. There’s a level of dreaminess and creepiness in each song too (like “Scenery” and “Will I Ever See You Again?,” and it’s fucking fantastic.

These girls are ready to kill, and they absolutely do with this album.

My Fave Songs: Chill Kill, Will I Ever See You Again?, Knock Knock (Who’s There?), Underwater, Nightmare, Scenery

DREAMCATCHER \| VillainS

Dreamcatcher 드림캐쳐 is a South Korean girl group formed by Happy Face Entertainment, known for the rock style in their music. VillainS is their ninth mini album.

VillainS is a grower.

Their single “OOTD” is different—it employs more of an industrial sound which works with the message of the song about narcissism and being superficial. This album really wakes you up.

My Fave Songs: Shatter, We Are Young, OOTD

OTHER FAVORITE SONGS THAT WERE PLAYED ON REPEAT

(Snooze is part of “Sleepy songs” playlist, and it’s fucking fantastic.)

SPECIAL MENTION TO:

Ive – I’ve IVE:

A special shout out to IVE. Even though I listened to the entire album twice, I didn’t connect with it strongly enough to keep listening to the entire length. (I did listened to “I Am” and “Kitsch” a bunch of times tho.)