Mel's Playlist, June 11

Okay, I should really be asleep right now, but before I bounce I have to share with you the AMAZING music that has come my way recently!!! It's all k-pop - yes, I'm still on the k-pop tip - but I promise you, it's really good. Try it! You just might like it!*

First up is the debut track by Epik High's protege boy band, Infinite, titled "Come Back Again". It sounds like no k-pop you've ever heard, I promise you - awesome guitars, great beat, good voices, and they can dance to boot! There's a reason why Epik High is one of my favorite Korean artists, and this is one of them. Also make sure to listen to "Wings" and "She's Back" off their EP - both amazing tracks in their own right.

Second is Code-V's "Addicition". I fell in love with this the minute I heard it, and it's been on repeat all week. I'm a sucker for good voices and heartfelt performances, and Code-V has it in spades. I'm particularly rooting for these guys because they originally debuted under the name Bless in 2007 but apparently flopped, so this is their second shot at fame. As far as I'm concerned, they've definitely made an impression, and I really hope to see more of them.

(Sidenote: I actually didn't like the music video at first, but then I watched it again and noticed the poison gas, which I LOVE - the song's about love being like an addiction or a poison, so it makes sense, and that's a nice way of interpreting it. Some of the shots are particularly awesome with it, too, like at 2:47)

Finally, two songs from a k-pop veteran who I fully intend to investigate in full, Lee Seung Hwan. First is "Dunk Shot 2009", a remix of his 1994 song done by JoKwon of 2AM (I love this guy) and Whale of W&Whale (another group I have to check out). I adore this video, really - it's so quirky and cool. The song is great too :)

Then, a song off his latest album, Dreamizer, which you should absolutely check out. McRoth's done a full review of the album here - if you like Mika or Paolo Nutini or Queen, or just good pop music, you will find something to like on that album. I am into electro sounds right now, so I gravitated to this funky song that reminds me of Clazziquai Project, a favorite group of mine since Eccentric introduced them to me last year. (No coincidence, I'm sure - they're signed to the same label :)

(For curious minds, the song is on the OST for a short promotional drama for a cell phone, featuring up-and-coming actor Yoon Si Yoon and the girl group T-ara - hence the video)

And that's all folks! Expect more soon though - some of my favorite groups, Korean and otherwise, are releasing new material this summer, so I'll be posting the best stuff here. Later though - I gotta get some sleep.

*Throwback to an old Christian video my parents used to show me, which had a segment teaching kids to eat the food they're given without complaining. "Try it! You just might like it!" was the main lyric in the song they sang. Hmmm, maybe I can blame that video for my foodie habits... and my flabby thighs....