Ok-pop has been a singles-driven marketplace for awhile now, however that solely appears to be more true with every passing 12 months. Both comebacks don’t have sufficient songs to be known as an “album,” or the b-sides are clearly designed to pad a tracklist fairly than stand out on their very own. With that stated, there have been a handful of albums I cherished in 2024. Many had been connected to nice title tracks, however so as to land on this checklist I actually needed to love all the work.
Standards stays the identical from 2023: to be eligible for this countdown, an album should embrace at the very least 4 full songs (intros don’t depend).
Honorable Mentions:
Dignity – Digmotion
DKB – City Experience
P1Harmony – Killin’ It
QWER – Manito
Taemin – Everlasting
TAN – W Collection: 3TAN
tripleS – ASSEMBLE24
Vahn – Come & Go
The Wind – Hiya: My First Love
Xdinary Heroes – Troubleshooting
10. DAY6 – Fourever
DAY6 aren’t any stranger to this checklist, typically crafting albums which can be even stronger than their singles. Fourever catches them in fantastic type, doling out precisely what followers need whereas nudging at style strains right here and there. B-side Glad has even turn into a bona fide hit in its personal proper.
Standout Album Tracks: Unhappy Ending, The Energy Of Love
9. NMIXX – Fe3O4: Break
NMIXX opened the 12 months with their strongest album but, blitzing by a variety of genres with indefatigable charisma. Run For Roses lastly capitalizes on their vocal expertise whereas the anthemic Break The Wall closes the album with a bang.
Standout Album Tracks: Run For Roses, Break The Wall
8. Vanner – Seize The Flag
Seize The Flag appears like a Ok-pop album that would have been launched in the course of the 2010’s. It’s a bit all over in sound, however delivered with such panache. The songwriting is strong as a rock all through, matching the group’s polished supply.
Standout Album Tracks: Circuit, After Celebration
7. YOUNITE – One other
Primarily based on their previous materials, I might by no means have anticipated to characteristic an album from YOUNITE on this checklist. However not solely is title monitor Geekin a splendidly foolish spotlight, however the remainder of the mission affords equally enjoyable takes on idol hip-hop.
Standout Album Tracks: How We Do, Poco Loco
6. ZEROBASEONE – Cinema Paradise
What Cinema Paradise lacks in a cohesive sound, it makes up for in sonic breadth. It’s the group’s most fun album but, stuffed full with style diversions that every one work higher than anticipated. ZEROBASEONE deliver loads of character to every model, making this a uncommon no-skip album.
Standout Album Tracks: Highway Film, Kill The Romeo, Insomnia
5. The Wind – Our: YouthTeen
Each albums from The Wind had been nice this 12 months, however Our: YouthTeen earns its spot due to a pair of supremely addictive b-sides. Traditional Ok-pop sounds abound all through this mission, fusing nostalgia with forward-looking youth.
Standout Album Tracks: Friendship, Coronary heart Fluttering
4. BOYNEXTDOOR – How?
Not many Ok-pop albums really feel like they’re telling a narrative, however BOYNEXTDOOR handle to convey narrative by these songs and their placement inside How‘s monitor checklist. I really like the way in which this album rises and falls, peaking within the center and coming to a stunning denouement with the hushed Pricey. My Darling.
Standout Album Tracks: So Let’s Go See The Stars, Our, l i f e i s c o o l
3. TWS – Summer season Beat!
I’ve truly listened to Summer season Beat greater than its predecessor, although that’s largely on account of its pair of mammoth singles. I’ve a longstanding bias towards summer-themed Ok-pop albums and TWS had been one of many few to launch one this 12 months. Its sound is vibrant, nostalgic and at all times highlighted by sturdy, memorable melody.
Standout Album Tracks: Maintain On, YOU+ME=7942, Fireplace Confetti
2. TWS – Glowing Blue
TWS’s two mini albums are basically tied, however I’ll give Glowing Blue the slight edge as a result of it’s their debut and it has their greatest unpromoted b-side to this point (First Hooky). From starting to finish, the album deposits you inside the group’s youth drama world, instantly presenting their core themes by way of a colourful bunch of extremely catchy pop songs.
Standout Album Tracks: First Hooky, Unplugged Boy
1. RIIZE – RIIZING
This virtually isn’t truthful, as a result of by the point 2024 got here to an finish the ultimate model of this album had basically turn into a “biggest hits” of RIIZE’s 12 months. Nonetheless, it’s superb how effectively the entire mission hangs collectively. A number of genres collide in a seize bag of sounds, most of which echo previous SM Leisure glories. This makes it an ideal sampler for anybody interested by Ok-pop, as I’m certain listeners will discover at the very least one track they join with. I imply, you may as effectively tack on final 12 months’s Get A Guitar and Reminiscences and have your self a whole RIIZE assortment.
Standout Album Tracks: 9 Days, One Kiss, Truthfully
