A Couple Non-Korean Songs

Something that bothers me a lot is when people assume that I "only" listen to kpop, or that I only listen to Korean music when that isn't the case at all...I like to think I am pretty open minded when it comes to music, and so far there isn't a music genre that I have disliked completely. Of the different types and styles of music I have come across in my lifetime, there is not one that I haven't found at least a couple songs that I like. Sooo this post is dedicated to sharing a couple non-Korean songs that I have recently come to favor. Of course, these aren't my favorite non-Korean songs nor are they the /only/ non-Korean songs that I listen to but these are just some recent finds.

1. Taylor Swift - Enchanted
Ok, this one isn't actually a recent find but I still love it... I used to really hate Taylor Swift but it was kind of a guilty pleasure of mine to listen to this album of hers (Fearless) and this one was one of my favorites. I think a lot of people give her shit because she's not a teenager anymore but all of her songs are kind of about that immature first love sort of thing or fairytale-like romances that aren't exactly realistic...but honestly I like that aspect of her music because it's what we all want anyway, and sometimes hearing a song about innocence is a refreshing break from the regular music we hear that seem to be getting more and more vulgar by the day.

2. Faydee ft Lazy J - Laugh Until You Cry
This is a Romanian pop song that I found recently and I absolutely love it. I usually don't like pop songs but this one is so catchy and fun. I really like the singer's voice..anyway nothing much to say about this song except that it's really fun to sing along to ahah.

3. Sunrise Inc - Mysterious Girl
Okay so I found this one and the previous one because of the 4minute song "Volume Up" which has the same saxaphone melody at the beginning as this song but I think I actually like this song better...Anyway I like this song because it's really chill and fun to listen to and idk I just really like ittttt.

4. Aaron Smith - Dancin' (Krono Remix)
I think I discovered this on someone's 8tracks playlist and I really liked the sound; it's very chill and I think it might actually be a popular song originally? I'm not actually sure to be honest because I'm not really pop-culture knowledgeable but anyway I like this remix because it's relaxing and not distracting while studying.

5. Imagine Dragons - Demons
Ok, I'm cheating a little because I talk about this album a lot but I just looove this song. I listen to it like, every day literally. I feel like the lyrics are something that I can kind of connect to and I just really love Imagine Dragons' sound in general. They're coming to Austin in February and I'm considering buying tickets but ugh money. Anyway, great great great song! Personal fave.

Anyway there are just a couple of the songs I've been listening to in the past week that are not Korean...I'm always open to new music no matter the genre or language and I actually rather enjoy discovering new music that I didn't know about before so yeah I don't fear things that are different and I really wish people would stop judging me based on the fact that I listen to a lot of Korean music. I wish there weren't so many music stereotypes...people should be able to listen to whatever they want without being called "emo" or "preppy" or "a hick" you know? It just bothers me that for something that has sooo much variety, people are surprised that you can favor songs that aren't necessarily the same genre.

Also lately I have been keen to listening to a lot of ballads, and I really really want to find some good vocalists with great ballad songs where they really belt it you know but I haven't found many so far. Maybe I'll make a post about ballad songs but idk I'm not very knowledgeable about them either so I might sound ignorant.

Hopefully this post doesn't make me sound ignorant...though I'm not really always up to date with the current pop culture trends I think sometimes discovering music on your own is more special...

Song Rec Week of Dec 1

omgomgomg I love the songs I'm about to recommend sooo much.

Shinhwa: 그래
I loooove Shinhwa's album The Classic Vol. 11 but especially this song~ They have such powerful vocals I could literally listen to this all day.

Jaejoong: One Kiss
I'm kind of obsessed with Jaejoong right now and ugh this song I just love it. I love the rock feel and the way his voice sounds and how fucking like, powerful his voice is like he just belts it and it's wonderful. Such a unique song and soooo beautiful. I've literally been singing "Why didn't come my wayyyy" to my roommate all week and she probably hates it but oh well hehe

NELL - Boy - X
I've been listening to this all week oh my god it's just one of my favorite Nell songs..so beautiful with really heartbreakingly beautiful lyrics as well...Nell is always amazing but lately this one has been my favorite. I could listen to it in any mood ^^

131125 Music Rec

idk I just like writing down songs I like when I think of them & hear them after a while you know

1. Bigbang - Top of the World
This used to be my all time favorite song until certain situations changed that buuut anyway this is still one of my favorite Bigbang songs...I especially love how fucking high Daesung can take his voice and still sound beautiful so yeah this is a really impressive and catchy song and it is very dear to my heart.

2. HITT - I'll Always Love You
When HITT debuted I fell in love with them and was extremely upset to find out that they broke up but this song is really pretty and adorable. Their cover of "Just the Way You Are" is also amazing buuut this is actually their song so yeah. Anyway I absolutely love this song because it's sweet & pretty & they have great vocals ^^

3. Matchbox Twenty - How Far We've Come
In junior high/early high school I really liked this song because it always came on during my gymnastics practices and would remind me that I need to go far in life to prove that living is worth it. I still really like this song because of the message it has, and also because it is so nostalgic for me.

4. LED Apple - With the Wind
This is a relatively new song but it's beautiful; Hanbyul's voice is irresistible & he shows off his vocals really well here. Not much else to say except I really like this song.

5. APeace - One
Talk about great vocals & harmonization...I love this song because it's beautiful and makes me feel peaceful. It came on shuffle the other day and I freaked out & felt all warm and fuzzy inside so I had to include it. Beautiful song. I wish APeace was given more attention. I love a lot of their songs but this one especially.

Week of September 22 Song Rec

Lately I have found sooo many new songs that I like! I had a hard time just choosing 5 but here they are!

Run Way - Lee Seung Chul
This song is so uplifting! I love his voice and this album is really very good. I recently started listening to it but I believe it has been out for a couple months. Anyway I recommend this song because it makes my soul feel happy ^U^

Dear Cloud - See The Light
Well first I absolutely love Dear Cloud and most of their songs are amazing...but the other day I heard this one on the radio and I can't get enough of it! It's wonderful. Sometimes I don't like k-Indie because it's too cutesy and happy but I think this one has a good balance. It's very musical and pretty but not unbearably cute. I don't know how else to say that ahahah. Listen to this song and convince yourself you too can see the light at the end of the tunnel; what you are working so hard for is almost in your grasp. Just keep going and convince yourself it is worth it and it will be. That's how I am going to interpret the song because it's inspiring to me!

Icon - Alive
The beginning of this song reminds me of the beginning of The Cab's "Angel with a Shotgun" but that's not really important.... Anyway I like this song because I think it has a good message that anyone can take something from. Sometimes I forget that I only have one life, and that I really am "alive" and should stop living as if I am dead. One lyric, "Don't give up, I will fight" really exemplifies this point I think. We should fight for our dreams and live for them instead of living a boring life while ignoring our dreams just because it takes work to achieve them.

King And Cross - Asgeir
Most people like this song better in Icelandic and I thought that I wouldn't but it sounds a lot prettier and more musical in Icelandic so that's the version I am posting! There is also an English version if you want to hear. Anyway this song is very poetic and meaningful and I just find it a very comfortingly beautiful song. I don't even feel qualified to talk about it...I'm not worthy ahaha...

Give Me a Chance - Airplane
This is kind of a new song but I like it a lot! I heard them sing it on Music Bank and I can't get enough. It's just another adorable love song but I especially like it because of the chorus which is just sjfk;sjdf soo cute. I honestly cannot talk today what is wrong with me what are words...I'm sorry haha. Anyway listen to this because it's great ;o;

Sorry for sounding like an elementary school child today ahaha
c:

Week of Sep 15 Song Rec

I know I'm late and I know I missed a week but things have been hectic~
So I'll do ten this time I guess~ Oooooh I included a lot of my favorites ^^

1. Red - Breathe Into Me
This song is done by a Christian rock band and it got me through some difficult times. I enjoy blasting this at full volume and just kind of meditating. The lyrics are about Christ but I think could be applied to anything or anyone you want them to so for that reason I find it an extremely powerful song. I usually don't like really loud songs or screaming in music but in this one I appreciate it because it doesn't feel like I'm being yelled at but rather that all of the things that are troubling me are just being released in song. The lyrics are incredibly applicable to my life and how I feel a lot of the time so it is one of those songs I go back to when I need it! I feel like it is a very honest song and I love it. Especially the line, "And this is how it hurts when I pretend I don't feel any pain." I think this describes a feeling that everyone has at one point in their life and I absolutely love the way RED portrays it in a song.

2. Super Junior - Why I Like You
I'm not a huge suju fan but I love this song because it feels very real in the sense that the lyrics fit the feeling of the song and the way they sing it. I wish they did more songs like this because I prefer this style to the more 'pop' sounding songs. Also, the lyrics are kind of descriptive of why I like people that I like. People can ask you what your "type" is but when it comes down to it you're going to like someone for how they make you feel. I think this song does a good job of describing that.

3. LeeSSang - The Girl Who Can't Break Up, Boy Who Can't Leave
I first heard this song when Onew sang it on Sang Sang a long time ago but now I'm in love with the song; it has a reminiscent feeling to it I guess. I listen to it when I don't feel like keeping up with the popular music or whatever. Also it makes me feel kind of sad but in a good way. Like a nice sad. I don't know how to describe it. Anyway i love LeeSSang and this is a classic song and if you get a chance you should also hear Onew's version!

4. E7 - Don't Let You Go
I don't know why this song isn't more popular...honestly out of a lot of kpop songs nowadays I like songs like this more than the popular comebacks. So for a pop song I just really enjoy this one. It feels sincere and it fits a lot of different moods and it's catchy at the same time. Not much more to say.

5. Peacock Green - After All

I actually just heard this today but I think this song is pretty and relaxing. I don't know what genre to call it but I don't think it matters either. It's one of those calm, very musical songs and I just respect Korean underground bands a lot because their music is so authentic and just beautiful. I'm going to look up more from this band because I really really love this one! I am literally listening to it nonstop!

6. Sentimental Scenery - Tune of Stars

This is one of my all time favorite songs and definitely my favorite K-Indie song. It's probably the most popular Sentimental Scenery song and I absolutely love it. The lyrics are whimsical and optimistic and I love the way the song makes me feel. It's beautiful and the instrumentals are outstanding because it IS Sentimental Scenery of course but anyway this song is just like floating on a cloud and it's recovered my mood in a lot of instances. I recommend everyone listen to this even if they aren't an Indie fan.

7. Glen Check - Metro

Glen Check is a recent obsession of mine and this song is my favorite at the moment basically because of the lyrics. "We'll never know the ending we never know" kind of makes me feel like our endings are what we make of them; if we want desperately for something to happen we won't see it any other way. I don't know how to explain it exactly but I kind of connect with this song in the sense that I feel like I am always searching for something but I never find it. My favorite line has to be "searching for the metro heading for the world" because honestly that is how I feel; I want to get out in the world and do things and travel and explore and just learn about the world but I need some sort of path or something to take me there and it's almost like the song is saying that we are trapped by our own ideas of what our 'endings' should be instead of looking at what really truly exists and what is possible for us.

8. Mr. Mr. - Waiting For You

I love this song for its musicality; it has wonderful vocals and the melody is wonderful. It's catchy and I can't get enough of it. It's another one of those kpop songs that I wish had more recognition because honestly it is a lot better than a lot of popular songs these days. I get shivers when they sing up in the registers sometimes hehe. Anyway this song is GREAT!

9. Peppertones - For All Dancers

One of my favorite Peppertones songs and definitely one you HAVE to listen to! I have definitely mentioned it before but I'm including it because I have started to listen to it again this week. It's Korean Indie/Rock? I'm not sure the genre but it's just a fun, very upbeat kind of song. It makes me want to get up and dance so I guess it serves its purpose. Other Peppertones songs are just as good as well!

10. WE - Rainy Days

When it comes to sad songs I am kind of picky but I like this one because the music video is pretty decent and because I love the vocals. Anyway I used to listen to this a lot and I have kind of neglected it lately but it's still a great song. I'm also a fan of WE so I thought I would include it!

Week of September 1 Song Rec

Oops, I put the wrong date on the last recommendation. Fixed it! Here are five more songs I love!
Sorry for posting this a little early btw! It's technically Sunday but I am going to have a busy day so I thought I would do this now.

1. Wheesung - Over U
This song along with "Insomnia" are my two favorite Wheesung songs. I decided to post this one instead of Insomnia partly because I think more people know of Insomnia and also because Insomnia was originally sung by Craig David so I feel like this song is more original. Anyway, the song seems to me like the speaker is trying to convince himself that he will eventually get over the person he is talking about. I especially love the line (translated) that reads: "The flowers have blossomed beautifully- a beauty overlooked in my obsession for you" which kind of shows that the speaker's life was so focused on loving the girl he speaks about that he didn't 'stop to smell the roses' even, or enjoy the other beautiful aspects of life that would also make him happy. I think it kind of signifies a liberation; he is finally able to be himself and make himself happy without relying on the other person for happiness and I think that is a beautiful thought. I think sometimes we realize after something is gone from our lives that it wasn't actually as great as we thought. Still, the song is sad, so I think it could either show, possibly, the regret for not realizing this earlier or it could show that sometimes losing something or someone can make us feel alone or lost even if it is for the better.
When I found the song, I was going through some rough times in my life, and it was kind of my go-to song when I was sad to comfort me and make me feel like it was okay to be sad. Misery loves company!
Anyway aside from all of that the song is beautiful and Wheesung has a great voice and sound so listen to it!

2. Clazziquai Project - Come To Me
This is kind of one of their old songs but it is always relevant! Honestly I just find this song extremely beautiful and well-done. They don't need anything but the pure instrumental and their voices to make a perfect song. Clazzi has some of the most moving voices, in my opinion. I could listen to them sing all day, in this song especially. I don't think I will ever get bored of listening to this song. I find it often to sneak into my head and calm my spirit. Again, like a lot of Clazzi songs, this one starts out soft and slow and slowly adds more and more layers of sound until it is just a really powerful sound. Gosh, I can't even explain how I feel when I hear this song! It is absolutely PERFECT I cannot even describe. I think sometimes there are no words to describe music.

3. Jinwoon - Walking Toward Me
I absolutely love the way that Jinwoon puts emotion into his singing and his performance. I think, especially in this song, he really shows the fact that he is an artist and not just an idol. I love the falsetto notes in this song and I love what it's saying and if you haven't noticed I am just really a big fan of songs that have a lot of progression and build up and whatnot and this one does. I love the sound as well, it is very beautifully done and the instrumentals are perfect. The melody and the way that he presents the lyrics fit the lyrics perfectly; the way he fluctuates his voice depending on what is being said is very moving. I'm always blown away by this song when I hear it because it is really a powerful song and Jinwoon's vocals are surprisingly a lot less tame than he shows in a lot of 2am songs. I think sometimes they overshadow him but he is a wonderful singer! I kind of like the rocker image better for him than the ballad kpop group image but that's just me! I definitely love this style of Korean rock!

4. Mighty Mouth - Tok Tok
This is my absolute favorite Mighty Mouth song! I love the lyrics; they are extremely adorable and the video is equally cute. I think Mighty Mouth and Soya sound amazing together and to be honest the song is just really cute and fun and when I listen to it I can't help but feel happy. I think when I first discovered this song it was when I was in a phase where I was kind of like ~*~KPOP ONLY~*~ and this song was by a group I wasn't all familiar with but I couldn't help but like it despite that. It really opened my eyes to this style of music. Just an all around good song.

5. DJ Hyo - Can't Erase You
I don't even have any idea how I found this song to be honest, and I'm not usually a techno type person but I absolutely love this song! It's soooo fun and it used to accompany me when studying would get monotonous or when school would be hard to get through. I would turn this on and ignore the hundreds of people in the hallways or the fact that I had hours of shit left to do. I think it's a good mood uplifter and it's extremely catchy! It will now be in your head for the rest of the day muahhaaa.

Week of Aug 18 Song Rec

I've been a little busy buuut here are 5 new songs I want to recommend. These songs mean a lot to me, so even though I'm not writing a whole bunch about them know that they are some of my favorite songs and I appreciate them and value them dearly.

1. 검정치마 - Love Song
I think this group translates to "Black Skirts" but I'm not 100% sure. Anyway, this is one of my favorite songs by them and I especially love the lyrics, "Hey, let your bright light shine on me. Can you love me unconditionally and sing a million lullabies on a sleepy day," because they make me think of a really sweet, innocent relationship where love is unconditional and romantic and *sighs* it's just cute to think of. Then the next line, "Hey let your sea breeze on me when I'm sailing internationally and whisper all your prayers on a stormy day," makes me think of a love that spreads across all distances, the type of love where you think of each other and pray for each other despite not being able to see each other. Anyway so this song is just one of those cute ones I like to listen to when I'm feeling calm.

2. Nell - 기억을 걷는 시간
I've seen too many translations of this title so I'm just going to write the Hangul haha. Anyway I cannot express to you enough how much I love Nell and Nell's songs. They were composed beautifully and the sound the group has is perfect. What I love most about this one is the progression. It starts out slow and soft, with only a couple musical voices, and progresses more and more until it's just an extremely powerful sound...it's one of those songs that you can listen to when you're sad and by the end of the song you'll be inspired and feel refreshed, renewed almost...It's a long song but I don't ever realize how much time has gone by when listening to it. Ugh I don't even know how to put how I feel about this song into words.

3. MBLAQ - One
This is one of my favorite MBLAQ songs because I love the way their voices compliment each other. The song just honestly makes me extremely happy and I love singing along at the top of my lungs and just kind of dancing around when I'm alone. It's just the perfect song to boost your mood or inspire you. It's also one that makes me feel kind of flirty tbh. hahhaa moving on...

4. Kim Bo Kyung - It Hurts
God, I love this song. This song is one that was there for me for the couple months I was extremely depressed. It's sooo powerful and a good thing to listen to kind of channel all your negative emotions and it's very theraputic. I used to listen to it a couple times in a row as kind of a catharsis of sorts. Anyway Kim Bo Kyung has a beautiful voice and I love the way she puts emotion into this song. It's really perfect.

5. Dalmatian - Really Really & Lost In Love
I couldn't choose between these two songs because I love them equally! When I first began to branch out from being a Shawol and VIP I heard about Dalmatian's debut and checked their album out and fell in love with these two songs in particular. I really, really miss this side of Dalmatian and kind of wish they would return to the concept from this album. Don't get me wrong, I love their more fierce, dark, sexy image but these two songs have stayed some of my favorites for years. I still listen to them and never get bored. They are great mood-lifters and just all around beautiful songs. You can't help but be addicted to them.

Week of Aug 11 Song Rec

A friend suggested I do this weekly so I thought hey why not!

I don't think I'm going to have a "theme" for the song recs I'm just going to put down any 5 songs I feel like telling people about! So the "Week of Aug 11" thing doesn't mean I'm just going to recommend songs that I've listened to this week, it just means that's the week I'm posting these songs.And I decided to post this every Sunday because it is the first day of the week ^^ Omg I have so many songs I want to recommend but I'll just keep them in mind for next week. Hahaha ok I'll shut up. Hope you enjoy ^^

1. MIB's 5Zic - Beautiful Day

I'm a huge fan of MIB and despite everyone else's hatred for their use of auto tune I think they are very talented and fun entertainers. Anyway this is 5zic's solo song and it's my favorite of their solo songs, and is also the reason that I grew to appreciate them and also some of the more mainstream khiphop artists. It's a very fun song as well ^^ I don't have much else to say tbh.

2. Boyfriend - Good Night

If you know me well enough you probably know that out of all the kpop groups out there I enjoy Boyfriend's songs the most. I don't even know all of their names tbqh, but I never get bored of their music and I think their style is incredibly unique and beautiful and just perfect. They are sooo underrated and I appreciate their talent because it goes unrecognized a lot of times. Not to mention they always have really difficult choreography but no one really mentions that either...I think people are too focused on the fact that they are young and called "Boyfriend" that they overlook their talent and musicality.

ANYway back on subject: The song "Good Night." It is literally that "just started dating" phase in a song. The perfect romance personified. Even the first line, "Goodbye, I don't want to let you go so I just say bye several times" illustrates what couples feel when they're saying good bye or good night, like they don't want to leave, you just want the moment to last forever... that feeling is captured soo well in this song. "I miss you and miss you even though I just saw you" "I'm a fool who only sees you" "Time is so long" I feel like the song is the perfect description of the type of relationship everyone wants and the melody fits the lyrics perfectly for that.

It really is one of my favorites from their album "Janus." It boosts my mood when I'm down and makes me feel calm and romantic. So anyway, I recommend this song because it is just simply wonderful.

3. SS501 - Lonely Girl

So ss501 was one of the first kpop groups that I was a fan of so a lot of their songs really mean a lot to me because at the time I was going through a lot of emotional stress and their songs were I guess there as a comfort. Anyway this song is actually just Kyu Jong and Hyung Jun but I still really love it. It gives off kind of a 70s vibe to me, it reminds me of a certain song that I can't remember by some 70s group I can't remember but anyway I find it incredibly cute and it makes me feel like I'm floating on a very comfy cloud. ^u^ I guess the reason that it's so personal for me is because it talks about a lonely girl and the speaker's love for her so for me, even though I feel lonely a lot of the time it's nice to think that I am still loved. Other than that I just really love the harmonies and the way they hit those high notes and yeah. Great song!

4. U-Kiss - I Don't Understand

I freaking looove this song. This is my favorite U-Kiss song by far. I love the sound, the melody, their voices, just everything. When I first heard it I didn't know what it translated to so I kind of interpreted it in the way that I wanted...so it was comforting because it made me feel that even though I don't always understand things, I don't have to.I don't have to have a plan for myself or understand why things happen or understand even myself. It's okay to be confused or unsure about things. Anyway now that I understand some of the lyrics better and have looked them up I realize it's about a romance, and not understanding each other which I still think is a beautiful thought. I mean, you don't have to understand perfectly for something to work. Kind of gives me hope ya know. But anyway I recommend this song; it has picked me up several times when I have been down. I stop crying when this song comes on so yeah ^^

5. Lee Juck - With You

This is one of my all time favorite songs; it makes me feel very...alive. I love the way his voice sounds and I love the way the song progresses. It's inspiring and fun and just a really great song. I don't know Lee Juck very well but I do know that this is from his 3rd album which I love dearly. Anyway I listen to this song when I need motivation and it does the trick! It also has kind of a 70s vibe to me, but then again I don't know 70s music all too well so I'm probably getting that all wrong. But this song is one I turn to a lot when I just want a beautiful, really authentic song without loud bass or beats or any of that stuff. Highly recommend it for people who like K-Indie!