2022 Countdown: #26 – #20
Moving on. It gets tougher and tougher to choose the song order. One minute I think this song should rank higher, and then I listen to that song and say, no, it should be higher, and then there’s the other song. They’re all good (in my opinion), I like them all, and I do have fun trying to organize them in this way.
If you check out the youtube links (the green text), be sure to turn CCs on if available, especially if lyrics are important to you. They’re important to me. Also, up the default quality unless you need 360p.
#26 CHANGBIN, HYUNJIN, HAN, & FELIX – MUDDY WATER “Resenting you and pretending not to be hurt, too, I step through the splattered mud and run looking forward.”
I’ll sit down and listen, more than once. Hyunjin’s verse, Felix’s deep voice, Changbin and Han playing off each other, chef’s kiss.
#25 ONEUS – SAME SCENT “I’m gonna be ok even though it’s tearing me up inside.”
This feels like a continuation of A Song Written Easily, which was easily in my top songs a couple of years ago, only this is more sensual, more intoxicating.
#24 EPIK HIGH – PREQUEL “Even if we rewrite our lives, on the last page, the last sentence will read, ‘I was here.’”
There’s a reason Epik High remains as one of my all time favorite groups, and why they remain relevant. Their lyricism and delivery are epic. My High is Epik.
#23 THE 8 – ABYSS “It’s like a dream, or is it a dream?”
This is a companion piece to Hai Cheng which was on my list earlier. I believe it’s also a companion to two earlier contemporary art pieces from Xu Minghao (The 8), specifically Falling Down and 本, both of which I highly recommend also watching and listening to.
#22 STRAY KIDS – CASE 143 “I recklessly dare to use cringy expressions.”
This is cuteness overload. It’s fun. It’s sweet. It’s the ‘ops-version trying to bust those pesky trouble-makers in a case they just can’t crack. It’s the breaking through scenes in a fun way. It’s 1-4-3, I love SKZ.
#21 DEVITA – EAT YOUR HEART OUT, BUDDY KANE! “If you ask me did you ever hurt me I’d say the first time don’t even count.”
I wish there was more of this song.
#20 JOJI – YUKON (INTERLUDE) “My voice will be their voice until I’m free.”
There’s something so calming about this song despite the chaos in the video.
Next week, #19 – #15.