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The Top Ten Best Songs by AFTER SCHOOL

top-ten-best-songs-by-after-schoolBefore there was Seventeen, Pledis Entertainment was most known for rotational girl group After School. Though the girls haven’t released new material in awhile, they’re widely considered one of the most consistently top-notch girl groups in k-pop. I’d argue that, song-for-song, sub-unit Orange Caramel is even more addictive, but After School is no slouch themselves. While we wait for their long-overdue return, here are their very best title tracks.

10. Ah (2009)

An early Brave Brothers production, Ah’s chirpy electronic bounce offered a catchy bit of pop fluff for the girl’s debut.

9. Dream Girl (2009)

For their third release, After School dialed down the electro mayhem of previous singles and gave us the disco-kissed throwback of Dream Girl.

8. First Love (2013)

After School’s last major Korean single, and a complete departure from what they’d delivered in the past. The sultry midtempo bounce of First Love added a layer of provocative restraint to their discography.

7. Because Of You (2009)

The girls’ biggest hit, Because Of You deftly combines elements of ballad, hip hop and dance into an iconic example of the 2009 k-pop sound.

6. Heaven (2013)

Heaven’s disco strings and rhythm guitar perfectly compliment the song’s syncopated melody. It may not be the flashiest entry in their catalog, but its subtle charms have real lasting power.

5. Rambling Girls (2012)

Their first original single released in Japan, Rambling Girls bursts forward with a robust dance beat and swirling, addictive chorus.

4. Flashback (2012)

Flashback’s heavy electronic beat and multi-pronged chorus represented a newly streamlined, club-ready side to the group, strutting them into a new era.

3. Shh (2014)

Taking Heaven’s syncopated sound even further, Shh stands as the girls’ strongest original Japanese release. Its bubbling synth beat brings an icy cool that feels as inviting as it does mysterious.

2. Bang! (2010)

The moment when After School proved that they could tackle a completely new sound and concept, and one of their most enduring tracks. Bang’s percussive, marching band beat results in the punchiest single they’ve ever released.

1. Shampoo (2011)

Far and away, the group’s crowning achievement. More than that, Shampoo is one of the all-time greats when it comes to girl group k-pop. Its lush, shimmering beat is instantly recognizable, underlining a gorgeous, wistful hook that perfectly showcases just what After School are capable of. There’s no doubt about it: Shampoo is their masterpiece.


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9 thoughts on “The Top Ten Best Songs by AFTER SCHOOL

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  9. My top three are:

    1. Shampoo
    2. Because of You
    3. Bang!

    Shampoo’s production already sent it to the stratosphere. But the melody is just as perfect. Like how can a song be this good? How?

    Because of You is not as strong as Shampoo because of autotune but it’s still emo and we love being emo.

    Bang is iconic for a reason. Every element is important but Bekah’s rap and Raina’s high notes are the highlights of the highlights.

    Like

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