Part 6: Songs that Defined 2019

Good evening, I’m back at it again to list more music that I rocked out to during 2019. Here’s the sixth installment of songs that made my year a party.

“+DONE161201+” by CL

I will explain further a post about albums I enjoyed from 2019, but CL is a former member of 2NE1 like Park Bom. She was promised a solo career when the group was active and was just stifled on all fronts. YG promised her an album and promotions in the U.S.; here career was going be in the U.S. She released a few singles, featured with artists but no project.

CL left YG this year and less than a few weeks afterwards she drops “+DONE161201+” from a her first solo album In the Name of Love. It’s a breakup song. The album is in a diary format, where each song has a date and an Instagram photo that coincides with the song. That’s why every video from her new YouTube channel has an Instagram photo as the thumbnail.

The music video was so cute and upbeat. CL got a lot of friends and colleagues to record themselves lip synching her song on an IG story. The video is recorded from the perspective of a cell phone. Former 2NE1 members Minzy and Park Bom; BIGBANG’s Taeyang, and Rickey Thompson were featured in the video. It’s adorable and I loved it.

CL’s solo album was late in the year, but I don’t care. It came at the right time and became one of my favorite comebacks and albums just because I’ve waited so long for her to gain creative freedom.

“HIP” by Mamamoo

K-pop quartet Mamamoo has had an excellent year and the year prior. Although I didn’t listen to them as often this year, their music is a variety of bops. They’ve really peaked with popularity and exposure.

“HIP” was released later in the year for their full album, reality in BLACK. The song is interpreted as Mamamoo declaring that however you express yourself and live your life any way you choose, you’re still hip/cool.

The music video elaborates on the song’s meaning with visuals. All four members are depicted in careers or actions to assert their right to be individuals and their belief that others’ opinions on their lives are unimportant.

The other possible meaning is that Mamamoo is responding to the criticism they receive as a k-pop girl group. Their image is confident, bold, and cool which contrasts an innocent, girlish image expected from girl groups. Nothing is wrong with either. But nothing is wrong with women exuding confidence in their bodies, decisions, and talent. I like this slightly more than “No” by CLC because it focuses more on living the life you want.

“Wonder Woman” by Brown Eyed Girls

When I was in high school and slowly exploring what was in the k-pop genre, 2nd-generation girl group Brown Eyed Girls made their “Kill Bill” comeback and I lowkey became a fan. This is ageist to say but I felt weird liking a 2nd-gen group, because it felt like someone my age wouldn’t listen to their music.

Regardless, I was excited when they came back this year with “Wonder Woman” and “song.” The song is so funky and it has this sound that I associated with BEG. Great vocals and melody. There’s probably strings involved or a string-sounding synth. Miryo just strolls in and slays with the verse, etc.

They are legends in k-pop. Stunning as ever and just in time for Halloween. I loved this.

“Something to Believe In” & “We Don’t Wanna Dance” by Jane Holiday

During the summer I found out that a favorite artist, Zolita was touring with XYLO and there’s a tour stop in Charlotte a day after my birthday. So I bought tickets and had my father take me to a bar full of young people to see her. I swear I came for Zolita solely. But I left, in love with Jane Holiday.

At first I was looking at the merchandise set up for Jane Holiday, Zolita, and XYLO. And I stared directly at an image of him thinking he’d be this masculine presenting lesbian who plays guitar. Then he came on after Zolita’s set was over and I wonder, “Is Jane out sick and this is her brother?” No. I was looking at the artist himself.

Hearing something live first is an experience. I don’t remember his entire set but these two songs were memorable enough to find later. When we got home I stayed up to follow all his accounts and find his music on YouTube and iTunes. He’s got a retro, ’60’s sound that I think would get popular soon. Also, I think he’s cute. Got nothing to do with the music though.

“Duality” by Slipknot

Now I know. Slipknot? I got into it for a horrible reason. I bought a $5 CD of their album Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses from Walmart to listen to in my car so I could get into the Halloween spirit. Terrible, I know but it was an introduction to a genre I appreciated but never actively listened to. And it made car rides more fun.

“Bodies” by Drowning Pool

The reason I finally listened to Slipknot is the same for finding this song by Drowning Pools. I just needed to hear something that matched what I felt internally, which is why we all turn to music.

“Sunny Side Up” by Red Velvet

Red Velvet are one of those k-pop girl groups that have b-sides or non-singles that are just as good as the title song. I’m happy that they chose to perform “Sunny Side Up” while alost performing “Zimzalabim.”

K-pop has a seasonal pattern of sorts. Most groups make it a point to have a comeback during the summer. Which means you’re going to see common summer themes in the concept art, outfits and music that they perform.

2019 had some pretty good summer music in my opinion. “Sunny Side Up” was one of my favorites.

“(SSFWL) The fifth season” by Oh My Girl

Oh My Girl were also contestants on Mnet program Queendom alongside AOA, Mamamoo, Park Bom, Lovelyz, and (G)I-DLE. Their performances on the show caught my interest. They’ve been a debuted group for about five years. I can see them becoming known as a group like Gfriend with this bright, airy concepts and precise synchronicity in their choreography. I like their vibe overall. They are wonderful.

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And that’s about all I can do to summarize the music that helped me through 2019. There’s a lot more songs that weren’t k-pop or pop that I loved. Quite a few weren’t from this decade, some were, but overall great music to be semi-unemployed to.

Wishing everyone a happy new year. Good night!