A Kpop Fan’s Favorite Non-Kpop
Though this is a k-pop blog, first and foremost, I enjoy music from all around the world, in a dozen different languages. So here are those albums, if you’re interested!
(For all best albums, click here)
(Click here for world music reviews)
This page is pop, from Rina Sawayama to Taylor Swift.
Straight pop, being in the name, is pretty common in k-pop; it covers Latin pop, noise music, retro sounds, and so much more. It’s often thought of as being bubbly, dancy, and effervescent. Think What Is Love by TWICE, Step by KARA, or Married To The Music by SHINee.
Genre: Country / Folk
This page is country and folk, from Orville Peck to The Lumineers.
Created in America in the early 1900’s, country takes influence from Black and Irish culture. Think O Sole Mio by Sf9, Stay by BLACKPINK, or 24/7 by ToYoon.
A bit unusual in k-pop, but there nonetheless, folk takes inspo from many cultures, Celtic, Caribbean, and Appalachian among them. Think Bon Voyage by YooA, Voyage by Kim Sejeong, or Fish In The Water by AKMU.
Genre: Alternative
This page is alternative, from Lana Del Rey to Florence + The Machine.
Alternative is a large genre, but tends towards understated; light and ethereal, drifting in and out of your ears, often with a comforting message. Think Generation by Triple S, Life Goes On by BTS, or Palette by IU.
Genre: Hip Hop & World
This page is hip hop and world, from Davido to Eminem.
Created by African-Americans, based on drum beats and often featuring rapping or sing-talk, hip-hop is a huge part of k-pop. Think Uh-Oh by (G)I-DLE, Child by Mark, or SHINHWA’s early work.
World Music is a bit of a cop-out of a genre, encompassing everything from Latin Pop to Afrobeats to traditional Korean. Think I Knew It by Sonamoo, Tinnitus by TXT, or Promise by Kingdom.
This page is rock and metal, from Ghost to Miley Cyrus.
In-your-face and often furious, metal uses shredding guitars and heavy drums to force you to watch. Think What by Dreamcatcher, Internet War by Seo Taiji, or Guerrilla by ATEEZ.
Often led by electric guitars and heavy drums, rock is slowly beginning to make its way into K-pop. Think Good Night by Dreamcatcher, Azalea by Rolling Quartz, or What Can I Do by Day6.
This page is musicals and soundtracks, from The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes to Come From Away.
Most often used for performances in k-pop, the musical genre pulls from golden age jazz and showstopping flourishes. Think Shake It by LOONA, Blue Moon by BTOB, or Pantomime by WJSN.
Soundtracks are, very basically, anything created for a movie or tv show, and their genres vary wildly. Think Stranger by The Rose, Good Person by Haechan, or Give Me Your Heart by IU
