At the half way point of this year I listed 7 underrated Korean albums. You can read that here. Now I'm listing 10 more underrated albums from this year. Now these albums are from my perspective. These albums, from my point of view and analysis, have not gotten the recognition they deserve this year. Here is what I came up with in no real order. You can find my other Top 10 list on the next Chicago K Pop Episode.
Code Kunst - CRUMPLE
If you did not know, Code Kunst is a Producer and he was the second artist to be signed to Tablo's label HIGHGRND. Before that he released his album CRUMPLE in the beginning of the year. This is the best album to come from a Producer in Korea and it might be the best Producer album this year period. Not only were the songs quality of high standards but the lyrics themselves were outstanding. Some of the rappers on the 20 song album include C Jamm, Wutan, Nucksal, Don Mills and Giriboy. This album is telling the story of underground rappers and their lives besides the few love songs. Not only is it a great producer album but hip hop album in general. Highly underrated yet such a beautiful piece of art.
C Jamm - Good Boy Doing Bad Things
I was waiting for a C Jamm album and it finally happened. This reminds me a little of CRUMPLE due to the mood of the first half of the album. It has this mysterious dark mood that fits perfectly with not only C Jamm's style of rapping but also what he was saying. For instance, on my favorite song Guerillaz, Watch and Upgrade. The album does get lighter as it continues with This Feeling and Good Night. Good Morning is a sort of an underrated song because its the opposite of Good Night and is a song about waking up and having a good day. Good Boy Doing Bad Things is a great album. The evolution of C Jamm is present in this album. He's perfected his style or rapping and aura with this album. Its one of the best this year.
Mamamoo - Pink Funky
Mamamoo's Pink Funky is one of the best K Pop albums that isn't really a K Pop album to come out in a while. It is completely more R&B than it gets credit for. The girls are only a rookie group but they are more experienced singers than a majority of the veteran groups now. On top of that their music is original. There are no cute or overly sexual gimmicks. Mamamoo makes great music that is keen to them. Pink Funky is an expression of who they are. This album is no doubt underrated due to it going against the standard form of K Pop.
Hyosung - FANTASIA
Another example of a non pop album not getting the credit it deserves. FANTASIA is an R&B and Funk album that has only 5 songs but each of them are pretty good. Now the lead single is not as popular or catchy as Hyosung's previous single Good Night Kiss but it still is a good song. Honestly 5 More Minutes which is my favorite song should have been the lead single. But the album is solid in telling the story of a woman in her 20's. From being into a person, to losing, them, and even starting a new flame. Each song is crafted to present a side of Hyosung. Continuing down this path, a full album from Hyosung would be outstanding.
Jonghyun - Story Op 1
Everyone loves to talk about how great Jonghyun's first album is but this one is way better. More songs, better production, and lyrics. His voice was even better as well. Deja-boo with Zion T was good but all of the songs on this album are better. Jonghyun describes the love life of a normal person through his music. Not only that but I can tell that he's found his individual sound with this album. Moving away from heavy pop songs he's found it with R&B material. My favorite part of the album is actually my favorite part. U&I reminds me of a Primary song and that's a great thing.
Esna - Esna The Singer
Granated that 2 of the songs have English counterparts later on in the album and there are only songs on the album, the English versions were not added as a cop out in order to make the album longer. I usually don't like English or any song translated into another language but Me Today and A Little Lovin are good examples of this. They deserve to be on this album. The entire album was produced and written by ESNA herself. Her lyrics have this magic that makes simple phrases sound beautiful. Her voice is stunning and its, in my opinion, excels on songs like Lullaby and AHH-OOP. The same goes for Verbal Jint's song Frustration Fruit. This album is about her. Her love life and things she does in general. Its a personal story of who she is and its great. Perfect for people who love independent artist who aren't independent. You can read my review of her album here.
Olltii - Graduation
Olltii released his debut album this year and it was solid as hell. Graduation is pretty much everything you expected from Olltii plus more. He has the songs about his life and his rap career, songs like Oll School where he disses older rappers for imposing their views on the younger rappers. Could be referring to Tablo on a few bars. Nonetheless the album is good for a debut album.
Hangzoo - Best Driver
Of all the albums and singles released from competitor's on season 4 of Show Me The Money, Hangzoo had the best release. His debut full length album is one for the record books. Even though he didn't make it past the preliminary round, he had the best release so far. Best Driver is one of the best hip hop albums this year as well. Hangzoo lets loose on each song giving his perspective on subjects as well as his personal life. The title song Best Driver featuring stablemate Gaeko is the best on the album. He talks about his life as well as where he stands with his rap career but he just has to keep on pushing because he is the best driver in his life. Its a pretty solid album with some songs being produced by Code Kunst. Hangzoo is a great rapper and this album proves it.
BLNK-Time - Color Unique
Can we just talk about how much of a master piece this album is. Its a Hip Hop and Jazz album that is solid. BLNK-Time tells the story of his life from hanging with himself, to friends, to eating his favorite foods, and just living life. The song he did on Code Kunst's album Queen is also here. Great touch as it fits right in. The albums most notable songs are Chillin In My House, Last Dance, Vintage Love and Colorman with Ugly Duck. This is the perfect album to chill to as you go through this album filled with vibes. I don't smoke but this is a stoner's album right here. Roasted Meat will have you hungry.
Unicorn - Once Upon A Time
Unicorn is a rookie group that debuted in September despite not having much promotion, like any at all, they debuted with a solid album. There is an intro plus 3 actual songs. The lead single Huk is pretty good. Its not as good as other debut songs but its pretty decent. Its catchy enough to listen to in repeat but not catchy enough to get old. The other two songs are great. both are a mix of R&B and EDM but its a good fusion. I can go without the male rap in Step by Step. Not much to it and its not memorable. In all its a solid album that just needed more promotion. You can read my review here.
So here is my list of albums that I thought were underrated. Brown Eyed Girls BASIC are an honorable mention. That album truly is great but K Pop fans are just K Pop fans. Anyway, tell me what you think about this list as well as albums and artists you thought were underrated this year.
Code Kunst - CRUMPLE
If you did not know, Code Kunst is a Producer and he was the second artist to be signed to Tablo's label HIGHGRND. Before that he released his album CRUMPLE in the beginning of the year. This is the best album to come from a Producer in Korea and it might be the best Producer album this year period. Not only were the songs quality of high standards but the lyrics themselves were outstanding. Some of the rappers on the 20 song album include C Jamm, Wutan, Nucksal, Don Mills and Giriboy. This album is telling the story of underground rappers and their lives besides the few love songs. Not only is it a great producer album but hip hop album in general. Highly underrated yet such a beautiful piece of art.
C Jamm - Good Boy Doing Bad Things
I was waiting for a C Jamm album and it finally happened. This reminds me a little of CRUMPLE due to the mood of the first half of the album. It has this mysterious dark mood that fits perfectly with not only C Jamm's style of rapping but also what he was saying. For instance, on my favorite song Guerillaz, Watch and Upgrade. The album does get lighter as it continues with This Feeling and Good Night. Good Morning is a sort of an underrated song because its the opposite of Good Night and is a song about waking up and having a good day. Good Boy Doing Bad Things is a great album. The evolution of C Jamm is present in this album. He's perfected his style or rapping and aura with this album. Its one of the best this year.
Mamamoo - Pink Funky
Mamamoo's Pink Funky is one of the best K Pop albums that isn't really a K Pop album to come out in a while. It is completely more R&B than it gets credit for. The girls are only a rookie group but they are more experienced singers than a majority of the veteran groups now. On top of that their music is original. There are no cute or overly sexual gimmicks. Mamamoo makes great music that is keen to them. Pink Funky is an expression of who they are. This album is no doubt underrated due to it going against the standard form of K Pop.
Hyosung - FANTASIA
Another example of a non pop album not getting the credit it deserves. FANTASIA is an R&B and Funk album that has only 5 songs but each of them are pretty good. Now the lead single is not as popular or catchy as Hyosung's previous single Good Night Kiss but it still is a good song. Honestly 5 More Minutes which is my favorite song should have been the lead single. But the album is solid in telling the story of a woman in her 20's. From being into a person, to losing, them, and even starting a new flame. Each song is crafted to present a side of Hyosung. Continuing down this path, a full album from Hyosung would be outstanding.
Jonghyun - Story Op 1
Everyone loves to talk about how great Jonghyun's first album is but this one is way better. More songs, better production, and lyrics. His voice was even better as well. Deja-boo with Zion T was good but all of the songs on this album are better. Jonghyun describes the love life of a normal person through his music. Not only that but I can tell that he's found his individual sound with this album. Moving away from heavy pop songs he's found it with R&B material. My favorite part of the album is actually my favorite part. U&I reminds me of a Primary song and that's a great thing.
Esna - Esna The Singer
Granated that 2 of the songs have English counterparts later on in the album and there are only songs on the album, the English versions were not added as a cop out in order to make the album longer. I usually don't like English or any song translated into another language but Me Today and A Little Lovin are good examples of this. They deserve to be on this album. The entire album was produced and written by ESNA herself. Her lyrics have this magic that makes simple phrases sound beautiful. Her voice is stunning and its, in my opinion, excels on songs like Lullaby and AHH-OOP. The same goes for Verbal Jint's song Frustration Fruit. This album is about her. Her love life and things she does in general. Its a personal story of who she is and its great. Perfect for people who love independent artist who aren't independent. You can read my review of her album here.
Olltii - Graduation
Olltii released his debut album this year and it was solid as hell. Graduation is pretty much everything you expected from Olltii plus more. He has the songs about his life and his rap career, songs like Oll School where he disses older rappers for imposing their views on the younger rappers. Could be referring to Tablo on a few bars. Nonetheless the album is good for a debut album.
Hangzoo - Best Driver
Of all the albums and singles released from competitor's on season 4 of Show Me The Money, Hangzoo had the best release. His debut full length album is one for the record books. Even though he didn't make it past the preliminary round, he had the best release so far. Best Driver is one of the best hip hop albums this year as well. Hangzoo lets loose on each song giving his perspective on subjects as well as his personal life. The title song Best Driver featuring stablemate Gaeko is the best on the album. He talks about his life as well as where he stands with his rap career but he just has to keep on pushing because he is the best driver in his life. Its a pretty solid album with some songs being produced by Code Kunst. Hangzoo is a great rapper and this album proves it.
BLNK-Time - Color Unique
Can we just talk about how much of a master piece this album is. Its a Hip Hop and Jazz album that is solid. BLNK-Time tells the story of his life from hanging with himself, to friends, to eating his favorite foods, and just living life. The song he did on Code Kunst's album Queen is also here. Great touch as it fits right in. The albums most notable songs are Chillin In My House, Last Dance, Vintage Love and Colorman with Ugly Duck. This is the perfect album to chill to as you go through this album filled with vibes. I don't smoke but this is a stoner's album right here. Roasted Meat will have you hungry.
Unicorn - Once Upon A Time
Unicorn is a rookie group that debuted in September despite not having much promotion, like any at all, they debuted with a solid album. There is an intro plus 3 actual songs. The lead single Huk is pretty good. Its not as good as other debut songs but its pretty decent. Its catchy enough to listen to in repeat but not catchy enough to get old. The other two songs are great. both are a mix of R&B and EDM but its a good fusion. I can go without the male rap in Step by Step. Not much to it and its not memorable. In all its a solid album that just needed more promotion. You can read my review here.
So here is my list of albums that I thought were underrated. Brown Eyed Girls BASIC are an honorable mention. That album truly is great but K Pop fans are just K Pop fans. Anyway, tell me what you think about this list as well as albums and artists you thought were underrated this year.
Garser Dismuke is a writer for Blerdsonline.com as well as Garserspoetry.com
He releases his vast knowledge of Anime, Wrestling, K-pop and Poetry on the daily
Check out my new book “181820” on Amazon
