Sunday, March 2, 2025

Check Me Out . . .

. . . getting a post in before halfway through the month.

I'd like to say I'm getting better at posting, but we all know that's not true ๐Ÿ˜‚. However, it is time for a new playlist, so here I am.

My new logging system is working brilliantly so far. Taking the time to note when I love songs at the time I play them rather than relying on my memory at the end of the month, is really paying dividends. It means that as of now, all Top 3 choices for the month are done (and yes, that includes the Chinese releases and, amazingly, OSTs). The only things outstanding are the album and EP A and B sides, which should be completed tomorrow. 

This is actually even more incredible as recently I have been neglecting music for a catch-up with drama, and believe me I've watched loads this month, although I did still manage to listen to 2,172 songs. 

I've just realised that I forgot to do my Receiptify stats on Friday, but I'm not sure it will make much difference and may even give some new songs for a change. 

Imagine, 3 days into the month and I'm ready to focus fully on March's releases (of which there are going to be a shedload). Some of the highlights for the month are Xiumin (EXO), BTOB, SF9, Baekhyun (EXO), 8TURN, Onewe, INFINITE, Treasure, W24, Wolf Howl Harmony, Aeonit, The Boyz, Dragon Pony, One or Eight, Newbeat and Cravity.    

But before we move on to March, I want to share some videos for releases that made the top spot in my lists this month. First up, is PLAVE with the lead track Dash from their excellent new EP Caligo Pt. 1

I've always been impressed with their work since pre-debut, but this really is on another level and is propelling them up the K-pop ranks, as they totally deserve. Don't be fooled that PLAVE are some fake AI/VCR band, they're definitely not. All 5 members are real idols, who wear sophisticated mocap equipment to track all their movements for the avatars. They are all extremely talented and write and produce all their own songs and also arrange all the choreography. If this doesn't convince you, they even made it onto Killing Voice, which is well worth checking out. The link takes you to a version with English subtitles, which I didn't have the first ten or so times I watched it.

Secondly, and unlikely to be a surprise to anyone even vaguely interested in music, as it's taken the whole world by storm is the absolutely fantastic รœbermensch by G-Dragon. There was never going to be any doubt that it would be a stonker of an album, but I think he managed to outdo expectations. The lead track is TOO BAD, but I absolutely adore DRAMA, and as he provided an MV for it, it would be a crime not to include it.

Kerry and Simon from Along For The Ride Reacts, who I've mentioned before listened to the full album on Twitch last Friday, and it was lots of fun. You can find the full stream here.

One final MV I want to share is by a Vietnamese artist, ERIK, with Dรน Cho Tแบญn Thแบฟ. Not only is the song great, but the MV is a blockbuster.

He's just released an acoustic version of the song, so I look forward to checking it out.

I'm going to leave it here as it's getting pretty late, and I think the post is long enough. I will be back soon (hopefully), with a post about all the drama I've been watching this year.

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