On Dec. 7, NME has revealed their "50 Best Songs of 2021" list. Two out of the 50 songs were released by top K-pop artists namely BTS and aespa. Continue reading which songs from them are included.
aespa's 'Next Level' Makes it to NME's 'The 50 Best Songs of 2021'
Taking the No. 45 spot on the list is aespa's "Next Level." NME stated that this song marked the moment that the rookie girl group "truly arrived" in the music scene as "Next Level" instantly became a hit for its catchy melody and amazing vocals of the members - Karina, Giselle, Winter and NingNing.
NME went on to describe aespa's "Next Level," which is a remake of the official soundtrack for the American film "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw," as a song that "pushes the [original] genre into a much darker realm - pulling hip-hop and e-girl into cyberpunk."
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The British magazine also took note of how "Next Level" has at least three entirely separate beat drops, all of which have addicting hooks. NME concluded, "Mark these girls down as your tip for 2022 - they're going to be BTS-level of huge."
Released on May 17 this year, aespa's "Next Level" marked the girl group's first official comeback since their debut in November last year. The song is so addicting that it quickly climb up the music charts in South Korea including MelOn, the largest streaming platform in the country.
Not to mention, "Next Level" becomes the new girl group's first top 5 hit in South Korea. It is also the quartet's first top 5 entry on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart and their highest-ranking song on the Billboard Global 200 (No. 65) until it was beaten by their latest song "Savage" (No. 39).
BTS' "Butter" Enters NME's "The 50 Best Songs of 2021"
The other K-pop song on NME's "The 50 Best Songs of 2021" list is BTS's Hot 100-topping song "Butter," which secured the No. 10 place.
READ MORE: BTS' 'Butter' and TWICE's 'Alcohol-Free' Selected as among the 'Best Songs of 2021' by Billboard Staff
The British magazine mentioned BTS as the artist who led the release of pop songs that will serve as companions through this pandemic. At the time "Butter" was released, the septet expressed its hopes that the song would give off good energy during this global pandemic.
NME further said, "The results were something that oozed confidence and cool, and provided an instant pick-me-up even in the gloomiest of moments."
BTS' "Butter" not only set Billboard milestones but also delivered positive energy to ARMYs around the world, which is evident on TikTok as millions of fans are doing the "Butter" challenge.
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On top of this, "Butter" is up against other hit songs for the Best Duo/Group Performance at the upcoming Grammy Awards. This track even took home the "Favorite Pop Song" at the 2021 American Music Awards. It is the first time that BTS was nominated for "Favorite Pop Song," thus, it is also their first time to win the award.
Further, BTS' "Butter" currently holds four world records on YouTube - the most viewers for the premiere of a video on YouTube, the most viewers for the premiere of a music video on YouTube, the most views for a music video of any artist in the first 24 hours and the most views for a K-pop music video in 24 hours.
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Written by Mhaliya Scott
