So Many Comebacks, So Little Time!
July is coming at us hard with comebacks from Kpop titans like NCT-127, Stray Kids, BTS' Jimin and more!
It’s a good month to be a Kpop fan! The comebacks are comebacking, the boy groups are boy grouping and even people you thought were lost to military hiatus are making surprise appearances! With so much to cover, I want to give you a run down of my thoughts on all the major comebacks that have happened so far this month, with an in-depth album review to come on Friday. Which album should I prioritize for the review? Vote in the comments and I will pick the most popular!
In the interest of time I’m only doing what I think are the “major” Korean language comebacks in July that I haven’t covered before, ok? So no Japanese singles (TXT, aespa, Twice) and no songs that I included on my songs of the summer playlist (Chuu, Kiss of Life, Taeyeon, etc.)!
July 2: All(H)ours “Shock” off of EP WITNESS
After a huge debut in January, do All(H)ours deliver on their second comeback? OH BOY DO THEY! They are displaying a shocking level of maturity and confidence with this concept for a rookie group, especially as it seems other rookie groups this year are focusing on a more youthful angle.
July 8: Xdinary Heroes “LOVE and FEAR” off of single album Open beta v6.2
JYP loves to be promoting at least one of these rock-concept boy groups (I do love DAY6) at any given time and Xdinary Heroes is their newest offering. They’ve been hit or miss for me so far, but I actually saved this single when in popped up in my playlist.
July 10: Dreamcatcher “Justice” off of EP [VirtuouS]
Dreamcatcher continue to have one of the coolest concepts in Kpop: A metal girl group? Yes please. And this comeback delivers on all the best parts of Dreamcatcher
July 12: Enhypen “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” off of studio album ROMANCE:UNTOLD
In their comeback single to promote their second studio album, Enhypen move into R&B tinged electronica pop. It’s catchy! The music video tries to fake you out with a super lighthearted poppy feeling intro but don’t worry - there’s enough vampirey Enhypen-ness to make it still work.
July 15: NCT-127 “Walk” off of studio album WALK
Oh man do I love this concept for NCT-127. I knew it would be a smash when the very first trailer dropped, and it’s such a nice return to form after a few missteps in 2023. If any group is going to pull off a throwback to 90s hip hop OF COURSE it’s going to be NCT-127. So swaggy. I love it. And there’s of course a little vocal cameo from leader Taeyong (who is currently in the miltary) and magic vocalist Taeil’s ad-libs are soaring above it all even if he isn’t actively promoting with the group.
July 19: Stray Kids “Chk Chk Boom” off of EP Ate
And just when you thought NCT-127 was going to take comeback of the month, here come Stray Kids with perhaps the banger of the year?!?!?! When I tell you the fury that fills me that I saw them a week ago and didn’t get to see this song live!?!? What the heck guys. Hyunjin purring “Vamos I know that you want it”!?!? I will never recover. Changbin’s rap in the second verse? Died. Dead. Bye.
July 19: Jimin “Who” off of album MUSE
BTS members keep surprising us with albums while they are away on military hiatus and I’m not complaining. Jimin’s debut solo album was confessional and experimental, but in his second album he’s gone with a more conventional sound and subject matter. This single is Latin influenced and the MV is dance heavy, as one would expect from Jimin. His vocals continue to be a bit overproduced for my taste but I do love Jimin!
I don’t know about you but I am loving listening to all this gorgeous music in the breaks between listening to Charli xcx’s Brat on repeat. We are so blessed this summer!
Which album should I review for Friday! Did I miss any July comebacks you’ve been loving?