The nine-member group combined retro influences from the вЂ80s with its signature cheery sound for this lead single that is an instant earworm. The introduction of вЂњI CanвЂ™t Stop MeвЂќ alone makes TWICEвЂ™s Eyes Wide Open album one of the most remarkable of the year. The other additions, which include both group songs and sub-unit releases that create more space to highlight each memberвЂ™s vocal color, see a narrative weaved across cutting off old ties (вЂњEx,вЂќ вЂњB MeвЂќ) and strengthening new bonds (вЂњMy Universe.вЂќ) Both Go Live and In Life offer a feast of dynamic hooks and festive vibes, but In Life has the slight upper hand in no small part because it introduced the lead single вЂњBack DoorвЂќ-a high-energy track brimming with pizzazz (and one of TIMEвЂ™s 10 Best Songs of 2020). This rate of output is made all the more impressive by Stray KidsвЂ™ heavy involvement in songwriting, which three members-Bang Chan, Changbin and Han, who produce music under the sub-unit name 3RACHA-have taken part in since the actвЂ™s pre-debut songs. To get an idea of Stray KidsвЂ™ nascent but prolific career, look no further than the groupвЂ™s two 2020 Korean albums: Go Live, released in June and consisting of 14 tracks, and the repackaged version, titled In Life, released three months later with eight new tracks. вЂњOh that would be my first death I been always afraid of.вЂќ вЂњThe heart no longer races when hearing the music play,вЂќ Suga raps. вЂњBlack SwanвЂќ is the projectвЂ™s most arresting track: over serene guitar plucks, the members express the disturbing fear of losing passion for their craft. The album cycles through moments of introspection on BTSвЂ™ seven-year journey-from reflecting on the beginning of their career (вЂњWe are Bulletproof: the EternalвЂќ) to boldly declaring that they welcome the pain that comes with their current level of fame and success (вЂњOnвЂќ).

The generous offering of 20 tracks spanning an hour and 14 minutes allowed listeners to digest and dissect its complexities as the world transitioned to a period of isolation and quarantine. But BTSвЂ™ Map of the Soul: 7, released back in February, is the septetвЂ™s artistically intricate masterpiece of the year. Produced during the pandemic, Be brought calm and comfort to many this fall. The jabbing rap verses and thudding bass threaten to knock you down, but the vocalistsвЂ™ melodies, so sweet and tender, promise to soften the blow. NCT 127вЂ™s martial arts-themed вЂњKick ItвЂќ quite literally packs a punch. And yet, this chant-вЂњlet me introduce you to some new thangsвЂќ-has become one of the most iconic lines of K-pop in 2020 largely because of its overflowing swagger. So are the first lines of the track, which are neither delivered as song nor rap but as chants. The bombastic electronic noises in the first few seconds of вЂњKick ItвЂќ are jarring.

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