Paste Magazines: 10 Kpop Albums for People who don't like Kpop

K-pop encompasses anything and everything under the umbrella of pop music in South Korea written between the late 1990s and today. Boy bands and girl groups, known colloquially as idols, making upbeat dance songs represent the current trend, but hip-hop, folk music, power ballads, EDM, and more can also fall into the K-pop genre. But chances are K-pop appears overwhelming to non-fans, particularly those outside of South Korea and who shun anything that falls remotely in the pop genre. Luckily for new listeners interested in this specialized brand of international music, K-pop artists have been using English lyrics more frequently and broadening the scope of their outside influences. While K-pop still has plenty of bubblegum pop, we’re highlighting important records in the K-pop canon that explore the greater depths of the genre. Put away your “Gangnam Style” dance moves and check out the 10 best K-pop albums for people who don’t like K-pop.

1. AKMU, Play (Akdong Musicians)
2. SHINee, Odd
3. Clazziquai Project, Blink
4. Taeyang, Rise
A member of Big Bang, easily Korea’s most talented boy band today, Taeyang is one of the best examples of K-pop singers fusing hip hop, R&B, soul, and EDM. Each song on Rise offers something new, with Taeyang’s crooning voice pulling it all together. K-pop as a genre doesn’t let itself get boring, and Rise is the exact same way. There’s a new sound with each song, with club bangers and ballads playing together nicely when performed by K-pop’s most soulful bad boy. Taeyang’s crisp, swoon-invoking vocals and the outstanding composition of the songs on Rise will make even the most discerning music listener take a moment or two to stop and abandon previous misconceptions about K-pop.

5. Davichi, Hug
6. Kim Sung Kyu, 27
7. 2NE1, 2NE1
8. Roy Kim, Home
9. IU, Modern Times
10. Super Junior, This is Love

Source: PASTE Magazine