Feature

K-Pop Risers & Fallers: June 2023

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Risers & FallersRather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post.

I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: a 0.5 shift here, a 0.25 shift there. But, it’s a fun way to keep track of how my feelings on songs have changed over time – as well as which tracks currently have momentum on my playlist.

And remember, just because a song is marked as a “faller” doesn’t mean I hate it! Falling from a “9” to an “8.75” is no shame. 9+ rated songs occupy a totally different playlist in my music library, so I’m pretty particular about what qualifies. It’s a high bar.

This month’s feature covers the period from May 23rd to June 19th.

RISERS

DKB – I Need Love
Rating: 7.75 → 8

NINE to SIX (DKZ) – Don’t Call Me
Rating: 7.25 → 7.75

SHINee – The Feeling
Rating: 8.75 → 9

Stray Kids – S-Class
Rating: 8 → 8.25

The New Six (TNX) – Kick It 4 Now
Rating: 8.25 → 8.5

&TEAM – Firework (I know, technically not K-pop…) *Biggest Riser*
Rating: 8.25 → 8.75

FALLERS

ATEEZ – Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)
Rating: 8 → 7.75

Ren (Nu’est) – Ready To Move *Biggest Faller*
Rating: 8.5 → 8

12 thoughts on “K-Pop Risers & Fallers: June 2023”

  1. I knew Firework would rise for you! It is easily the best produced HYBE title track in a year or so. They were very successful in creating the sort of balance in mixing between the instrumentals, vocals, and the vocal effects to achieve this sort of emotive atmosphere that greatly supports the members’ passionate vocal delivery. Easily gonna be one of my favorite songs this year for sure. The chorus has really grown on me with every listen.

    Also, I’m happy that Kick It 4 Now also rose for you. It’s one of my favourite songs this summer. I love the vocal delivery of the hook ‘nostalgia deja vu’.

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  2. Interesting!
    Bouncy has been a grower for me actually.
    However I have been watching performances of it, rather than listening to it as a stand alone song. I think it really works as a stage piece and I love how the band performs it. But just listening to the song, I wouldn’t say it’s something I appreciate to its full extent.

    I also have not been listening to that Shinee song enough and I really loved it my first couple of plays!

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  3. I am crushing on &Team b-side “Road not taken” (below).

    Also crushing on the new Roy Kim “We Go High”, the new Jung Seung Hwan “Epilogue”, the new Jannabi “pony”, and the new Kassy “Crush on you”, all from the other non-idol side of kpop that doesn’t get much international attention.

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  5. Firework is probably my favorite bg song so far this year. In general I’ve gotten more interested in &Team, especially since they’ve been promoting Korean versions of Firework and Scent of You in music shows. I even went back and listened to Under the Skin again, and although I still feel it could be more hard-hitting, it’s a strong debut. At this point I prefer them to TXT and Enhypen among the younger HYBE bgs.

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  6. Risers:
    AB6IX – Loser
    BoyNextDoor – Serenade
    (Both late-May releases)

    Ateez’ “Bouncy” is tricky because I did not add it to my playlist but I’ve gone out of my way to see all the performances. I still think the chorus is really good!!!!

    Faller:
    DKB – I need Love

    I’ve only added 9 songs to my playlist in June and I love them all (Jump, Kick It for Now, Designer, Wild Heart, LUVLUVLUV, Broken Melodies, Paradise, and 2 bsides) so no risers/fallers yet.

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  8. Cix’s Save Me Kill Me is the biggest unexpected riser for me really – all the way into the high 9’s. All I can say is this is a vibe that really seems to fit Cix as a whole both vocally and dramatically! Another grower is Xodiac’s Special Love – I’m surprised by how much it stuck to my head even after a single listen and I’ve been hunting down its performances ever since!

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  10. A better month. I’ll just put a few songs that grew on me:
    Taeyong: The Knight, The Yeti and Bluebeard’s Wife
    SHINee – The Feels
    Ateez – whatever the hell that was with the chaps
    Fromis_9 – the whole album

    Okay that’s it for me. Still sleep-screwed from SHINee’s Beyond Live.

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