MUSIC TO MY (Y)EAR • 2020

Like most people, 2020 was a blur—a year full of stresses and falling back to old comforts. The same goes for music. It was nothing but Epik High and KPop, and the occasional 80s music for me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I discovered a couple of new artists that I’m in deep with now—Dreamcatcher and Stray Kids (welcome to the fam, kids!).

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

Epik High (Hangul: 에픽하이) is a South Korean alternative hip hop group from Seoul, composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz. sleepless in __________ is their second extended play album.

Again, sleepless in ____________ remains my most listened album. It’s my sleepy time album; it lulls me to sleep in a way no album has ever done—and it’s because of the quietness and the honesty flowing out of it.

My Fave Songs: In Seoul, Lullaby for a Cat, Eternal Sunshine, No Different (ft. Yuna)

Birds of Prey: The Album is the soundtrack album by various artists for the film Birds of Prey, released by Atlantic Records on February 7, 2020. 

I loved the Birds of Prey movie—strange to remember that this was the last movie I saw in person—and the album is no surprise. It’s full of women empowerment songs that motivate you to get shit done.

My Fave Songs: Boss Bitch, Joke’s On You, Danger, Sway with Me, It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World, Hit Me With Your Best Shot

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay 사이코지만 괜찮아 OST is the soundtrack to the same titular South Korean romance drama television series written by Jo Yong.

God, this show is the absolute best. So ethereal and dark and gothic (which I know is conflicting definitions). When I listen to this soundtrack, I am taken back to the gorgeousness of the show, and I’m reminded of the emotions and the chemistry between the main characters.  

My Fave Songs: In Silence by Janet Suhh, Breath by Sam Kim, In Your Time by Lee Suhyun, Got You by Gaeun, I’m Your Psycho by Janet Suhh,

This playlist Nothing much to say about this except fuck yeah 80s music!!

This playlist consisted of The Cure, The Smiths, Morrissey, and New Order, and that’s all I needed. Whenever I listened to these songs, it brought back a lot of feelings, and I don’t know why. Without fail, I have to sing; I have been unable to sit still. I can’t help but move and dance.

My Fave Songs: Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order, Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode, Suedehead by Morrisey, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths, Love Song by The Cure, Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths, This Charming by The Smiths,

Dreamcatcher 드림캐쳐 is a South Korean girl group formed by Happy Face Entertainment, known for the rock style in their music. Dystopia: The Tree of Language is their first studio album released in February 2020.

My new loves.

I knew about Dreamcatcher, but I never listened to their songs, and if I did, I didn’t pay attention. With Scream though, they captured my undivided attention, and I am here for everything they release now!

Their sound is different from the songs you usually hear coming out of KPop—rarely you hear songs with metal rock emphasis. That’s Dreamcatcher, giving us that vibe but also the dark gothic ones we’ve been wanting.

My Fave Songs: Scream, Jazz Bar, Black or White, In the Frozen

Chloe x Halle is an R&B duo composed of sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey. Ungodly Hour is their second studio album. 

Chloe x Halle are a revelation.

Their harmonizing is another level. They’re angels singing to us heathens. We are not worthy.

I love the general messages of these songs, emphasizing on being yourself.

My Fave Songs: Do It, Forgive Me, Ungodly Hour, Wonder What She Thinks Of Me, Don’t Make It Harder On Me, Lonely,

Red Velvet 레드벨벳 is a South Korean girl group formed by S.M. Entertainment. Monster is the debut EP by Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi, the first sub-unit of Red Velvet.

Ya know that Red Velvet are my favorite KPop group of all time, and the fact that TWO of my favorite members released an album together? YES PLZ.

My Fave Songs: Naughty, Monster, Diamond, Feel Good

Dreamcatcher 드림캐쳐 is a South Korean girl group formed by Happy Face Entertainment, known for the rock style in their music. Dystopia: Lose Myself is their sixth extended play album released in August 2020.

A TRUE BLESSING TO GET TWO COMEBACKS IN ONE YEAR. PRAISE DREAMCATCHER.

The titular song Boca has less metal rock, but it’s still a hit! And the EP is filled with ear worms. Just obsessed with them.

My Fave Songs: Boca, Break the Wall, Can’t get your out of my mind

Taemin is a South Korean singer and is a member of SHINee. Never Gonna Dance Again Act 1 + Act 2 are the third full-length studio length album.

Taemin is growing up to become one of the best Kpop solo acts out there with his creativity—both with his music and his dancing. I can’t help but be amaze at how far he’s come, and I look forward to

My Fave Songs: Criminal, IDEA, Heaven, Black Rose, Strangers, Waiting For, I Think It’s Love, Identity

Stray Kids 스트레이 키즈 is a South Korean boy group formed by JYP Entertainment in 2017 as a member of Wonder Girls. Warning is her second EP released in September 2018.

I don’t listen to Kpop boy groups a lot, and when I do, it’s like once in a blue moon, but Stray Kids is certainly changing that. They’re now on my “always listen” rotation.

I love the sound of their music—filled with hip hop, trap, and occasional rock. Their songs are so catchy too. Love.

My fave songs: God’s Menu, Back Door, Airplane, Be Me, Any, We Go, Easy, Pacemaker

LOOΠΔ is a South Korean girl group formed by Blockberry Creative. They debuted as a full ensemble with the EP [+ +] in 2018.

Every one of these girls can be a solo act—which all of them did debut solo starting in 2016), but they’re even greater as a group.

Their chemistry between the members is fantastic, and they’re always in sync whenever they dance. Top notch.

My fave songs: Voice/Star, Why Not?, Universe

ALBUMS: Succession OST, Froot – MARINA, Arctic Monkeys

SONGS (I listened to these over and over again for months):

• A lot of them were KPop girl groups with new songs from Twice, GFRIEND, WEKI MEKI, fromis_9, ITZY, Chung Ha, Everglow, APINK, KARD. And also the occasional male solo artists like Kai and GOT7.

In 2021, I really do hope to listen to new albums by Jessie Ware and KATIE. I didn’t know they released a new album in 2020, and by the time I found out, it was late December.

Have you listened to any of these albums/songs? What artist did you listen to in 2020? Any that you’d recommend to me?