K-pop songs tend to have a typical structure that is guaranteed to hook the general public. However, some songs make sudden tonal changes mid-track. Here are five songs with sudden beat changes.
1. NMIXX - 'O.O'
NMIXX released "O.O" as the title track of their debut single album, "Ad Mare."
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The song starts with heavy electropop and hip-hop elements. It makes use of baile funk, enamoring listeners with its intense, captivating trap intro. However, after the first chorus, the song transitions into a pop-rock genre. After, it goes back to the same electropop sound the song had in the beginning.
"O.O" gained fame for its jarring genre shift. Sadly, this received some negative feedback, with people saying it lacked a standout melody.
2. aespa - 'Next Level'
"Next Level" was released as the title track of aespa's second single album, which has the same name.
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"Next Level" starts with a fierce futuristic dance-pop sound, making use of hip-hop and EDM elements. Halfway through the song, the rhythm switches to an upbeat, jazz-inspired composition. It is a groovy shift with an energetic bass riff that showcases aespa's variety.
Despite the sudden genre change mid-song, "Next Level" earned massive praise from the general public.
3. Girls' Generation - 'I Got A Boy'
Girls' Generation released "I Got A Boy" as the lead single of their fourth studio album of the same name.
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"I Got A Boy" starts off with pop-rap and slow rap. It then speeds up into an almost musical, show-tune-like song, with bubblegum pop and elements of electropop. The chorus shifts into dubstep, and the bridge is a mix of all these genres with hard rock.
The song was highly successful, and Girls' Generation was praised for digesting the intense mix of different melodies and sounds.
4. MAMAMOO - 'AYA'
"AYA" was released as the lead single of MAMAMOO's tenth mini-album, "Travel."
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"AYA" is a pop song with influences from Arabic music. The song is sultry and makes use of intense vocalizations. For most of the song, the chorus lands with an instrumental drop. However, the final chorus picks up to be funkier. It almost sounds like a remix of the song!
"AYA" won MAMAMOO one music show win on "M! Countdown."
5. BLACKPINK Lisa - 'LALISA'
Lisa released "LALISA" as the lead single of her self-titled debut single album.
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"LALISA" is a hip-hop and EDM track. For most of the song, Lisa oozes girl crush and swagger with the hip-hop sound. However, in the bridge, Lisa dons a brighter sound as she sings "You need some L-A-L-I-S-A." After, the song shifts to infuse Thai elements for the dance break.
"LALISA" earned praise for its numerous tonal changes, and for being able to do so smoothly.
What's your favorite K-pop song? Tell us in the comments below!
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Written by Alexa Lewis
