NewJeans’ Groovy Triumph at 33
NewJeans, the five-headed sensation that stormed into the K-pop realm in 2022, has once again left its mark with their latest mini-album, “Get Up,” securing an impressive 33rd position on the coveted list.
Described as a “five-headed hype machine,” NewJeans has returned sleeker and smarter, delving into a nostalgic bag of Y2K-era R&B and U.K. garage/drum-and-bass sounds. According to Simone Vozick-Levinson of Rolling Stone, “Put this up against any other 12 minutes in pop this year, and NewJeans are the odds-on favorites.”
In a lineup featuring names like SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, and Troye Sivan, NewJeans stands tall as a formidable contender.
Suga’s Solo Flight at 69
Meanwhile, in the realm of introspective exploration, BTS‘s Suga, under the moniker Agust D, has etched his presence at 69th place with his first official solo album, “D-Day.” The tight 10-track collection is a lyrical and musical deep dive into the multifaceted concept of freedom.
Maura Johnston, in her analysis for Rolling Stone, highlights the complexity of Suga’s work, particularly focusing on the track ‘Haegeum.’ The thundering composition weaves around a drone from the traditional Korean two-stringed instrument, also named ‘Haegeum,’ with a double entendre that translates to ‘liberation.’
Suga’s rhymes, spat out with precision, take aim at conformity, the illusions of ‘success,’ and the overwhelming onslaught of information.
Diverse Paths, Common Excellence
What makes the inclusion of NewJeans and Suga’s ‘D-Day’ even more compelling is the diverse musical territories they explore. NewJeans finds its strength in a fusion of Y2K nostalgia and contemporary pop, earning them recognition among pop heavyweights. On the other hand, Suga’s solo endeavor navigates intricate themes, questioning the very essence of freedom in a world entangled with societal expectations.
Rolling Stone’s ‘Top 100 Albums of 2023’ not only recognizes the impact of these two musical powerhouses but also underscores the richness and diversity present in the global music landscape. As we bid farewell to 2023, the legacies of NewJeans and Suga’s solo odyssey will undoubtedly resonate, leaving an indelible mark on the ever-evolving world of music.
