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#GeniusLabListens 2022 Top Spins

Published Sunday, December 25th, 2022 — As 2022 comes to an end, I want to remember all the amazing music that came out this year. With the KPOP industry growing more and more competitive as months go by, we saw 2022 give birth to a multitude of notable full-length albums and EPs; and some artists even released more than one record this year. Being a multi-stan, I end up listening to a long list of releases every year and it was a little difficult to narrow it down*—but here we are.

Merry Christmas everyone. This is Genius Lab USA and here are the #GeniusLabListens 2022 Top Spins.**

1. DISHARMONY : FIND OUT — P1Harmony (EP)

Release Date: January 3, 2022

P1Harmony has this quirky tendency to make an entire EP full of bangers—except for the last track, which is a ballad. I can’t pick a favorite song, so I’m not going to, although I will say that of the six, I listen to “Before The Dawn” the least.

2. THE SECOND STEP : CHAPTER ONE — TREASURE (EP)

Release Date: February 15, 2022

Short and sweet. “DARARI” was used in a lot of Instagram Reels and TikToks around the time of release, but “JIKJIN” will always be the star of this EP to me—and rightfully so.

3. YOUNG-LUV.COM — STAYC (EP)

Release Date: February 21, 2022

STAYC have been huge favorites for me this year, not just among girl groups but in the general KPOP soundscape. “YOUNG LUV” makes me cry ugly tears every time and “RUN2U” deserved better than what the general public gave her.

4. Love Pt.1 : First Love — WEi (EP)

Release Date: March 16, 2022

WEi is another group who I personally think got paid dust this year and I would really love it if more people appreciated them because they are going places. “Too Bad” may be a song about confessing to someone you like but it got me through a lot of stressful times since the EP’s release, since I chose to interpret the chorus in a different way.

5. ODDINARY — Stray Kids (ALBUM)

Release Date: March 18, 2022

The album itself is a little odd in its experimental nature—hence the name ODDINARY—but I enjoyed the overall flow from song to song and the group’s willingness to play around with their sound. Favorite tracks are “MANIAC” and “FREEZE”.

6. Glitch Mode - The 2nd Album — NCT DREAM (ALBUM)

Release Date: March 28, 2022

NCT DREAM being the most active sub-unit was one of the biggest surprises of 2022 and I really enjoyed this album a lot. Big winners for me are “Fire Alarm” and “Saturday Drip”.

7. memeM — PURPLE KISS (EP)

Release Date: March 29, 2022

No one’s doing it like PURPLE KISS, in my opinion, because no one else has Swan in their group. This EP was delightfully eerie and I found joy in “Pretty Psycho” and “memeM”. Honorable mention: “Hate me, Hurt me, Love me”.

8. SERIES 'O' [ROUND 3 : WHOLE] — VERIVERY (ALBUM)

Release Date: April 25, 2022

I still have mixed feelings about this particular album because of the fact that “Childhood” sounds like a carbon copy of ATEEZ’s “Dancing Like Butterfly Wings”—but it has a lot of good songs on it. Favorite tracks are “Wish U were here”, “O”, and “Fine”.

9. FLASHBACK — IKON (EP)

Release Date: May 3, 2022

I did not see this EP coming but I’m so thankful because “BUT YOU” hurts so good. That’s all I have to say about it—that’s all I need to say about it. I hear “I’m in love again” and my emotions are toast.

10. minisode 2: Thursday's Child — TOMORROW X TOGETHER (EP)

Release Date: May 9, 2022

The best birthday present HYBE has ever given me. The entire EP is perfection, cohesive and artistic perfection. “Good Boy Gone Bad” is what I would consider an outlier amongst the other songs, but she still serves and keeps serving. I love “Opening Sequence” with all of my heart.

11. Drive to the Starry Road — ASTRO (ALBUM)

Release Date: May 16, 2022

This album is very true to ASTRO’s established sound and style, but the solo songs were a nice touch. “Candy Sugar Pop” is a fun, light summer bop but my picks are “Something Something”, “Light the sky”, and “Like stars”, plus Sanha’s solo track “24 Hours”. It was also the last album MJ participated in before enlisting.

12. TRICKSTER — ONEUS (EP)

Release Date: May 27, 2022

Listen, ONEUS have never released a bad record. That’s the truth and more people need to recognize that. This EP is pretty kooky but it’s great. Good things come in pairs, as with “Intro : Who Got the Joker?” and “Bring it on”.

13. GOT7 — GOT7 (EP)

Release Date: May 23, 2022

The single most beautiful thing to have happened to the KPOP industry this year if only because GOT7 look so happy to be making the music they want and out of reach of JYP’s claws. I love the entire vibe of the EP but my queen is “Drive Me To The Moon”.

14. The Story — KANGDANIEL (ALBUM)

Release Date: May 24, 2022

I wasn’t too crazy about him prior to this year, but I think that KANGDANIEL really understands vibes. Favorite tracks are “Don’t Tell (feat. Jessi)”, “How We Live (feat. sokodomo)”, and “Mad (feat. Chancellor)”.

15. 4th Album 'Face the Sun' — SEVENTEEN (ALBUM)

Release Date: May 27, 2022

Need I say anything? It’s a perfect album from start to finish and I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite song because I love them all, although “Darl+ing” and “’bout you” have joined the ranks of SEVENTEEN favorites. I hope they’re very proud of this album because I’m proud of them.

16. Story Written in Music — OMEGA X (ALBUM)

Release Date: May 31, 2022

What happened to them this year was really unfortunate and infuriating, but in spite of what SPIRE ENTERTAINMENT put them through, OMEGA X really put out a fantastic summer album. They have fun, party music but also sweet romantic songs, of which “DANCE WITH U” and “LOVE” are my absolute favorites.

17. DOUBLAST — Kep1er (EP)

Release Date: June 20, 2022

I know they put out another EP after this, but for me, this one hit me in more of the right places and the line distribution (I think) was the best it’s been so far. Released during the peak of summer comeback season, it has a wonderful dreamy feel to it. Favorite track is “LE VOYA9E”.

18. MANIFESTO : DAY 1 — ENHYPEN (EP)

Release Date: July 4, 2022

I haven’t forgotten about the recurring bullying incidents within this I-LAND disaster group but I have to admit that ENHYPEN knows how to keep people’s attention. This EP packs a powerful punch and “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)” is a top-tier hype song.

19. HOLIDAY — WINNER (EP)

Release Date: July 5, 2022

Like IKON’s EP, I didn’t see this one coming either but “I LOVE U” has me by the throat. I mean, do you hear those high notes? Crisp, clear, stable. Check, check, and check. “10 MIN”, “HOLIDAY”, and “FAMILY” are also bops.

20. THE EARTH : SECRET MISSION Chapter.2 — MCND (EP)*

Release Date: July 7, 2022

Arguably one of the most fun releases of the summer—and this year, quite honestly—this EP proves that no one should be sleeping on MCND. I love every single song but I especially thrive off of “W.A.T.1″. It’s just so good.

21. THE WAVE OF9 — SF9 (EP)

Release Date: July 13, 2022

I’m not sure what they put in this EP but it’s definitely something. Every track is so completely addictive and perfect for the summer mood they were trying to set. My top track for this release, however, is “OK OK”.

22. CHECKMATE — ITZY (ALBUM)

Release Date: July 15, 2022

I know it’s their title track but I like every other song on this album except “Sneakers” and personally, I think it would’ve been a perfect album without it. Cringe-y TikTok song aside, this record is pretty solid and not as bad as people were making it out to be. Top tracks for me are “RACER” and “365″.

23. 4th Album Repackage 'SECTOR 17' — SEVENTEEN (ALBUM)

Release Date: July 18, 2022

Ah, here we are again. Not counting the songs from the original release, this album is still perfect. “Circles”? Tears. “_WORLD”? Cute and catchy. “Fallin’ Flower (Korean Ver.)”? Gorgeous. But the winner that takes all is the SEVENTEEN Leaders unit song “CHEERS” because it’s playing all day everyday like rent is due.

24. Geekyland — PURPLE KISS (EP)

Release Date: July 19, 2022

This EP feels like a continuation of “memeM”—in a good way, of course—and again, no one else is doing it like them. It’s a shame they haven’t done anything to promote it but the stand out of this record for me is “FireFlower” with an honorable mention for “Love Is Dead”.

25.WE NEED LOVE — STAYC (SINGLE)***

Release Date: July 25, 2022

STAYC stays destroying my emotions and the difference between “BEAUTIFUL MONSTER” and “I LIKE IT” gives me whiplash but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Also, “BEAUTIFUL MONSTER” is up there with “YOUNG LUV” in making me shed tears.

26. Grown Ass Kid — ZICO (EP)

Release Date: July 27, 2022

I may still be channeling my love for BLOCK B through ZICO but this EP was really something special. Experimental, edgy, and expressive, I love all the different styles he explored in just five songs. Standout song for me is “OMZ freestyle”.

27. THE WORLD EP.1 : MOVEMENT — ATEEZ (ALBUM)

Release Date: July 29, 2022

Holy hell. If you read my very in-depth analysis of this album when it first came out, you’ll know that I spent a lot of time ruminating over the themes and messages; and if you’re an ATINY, you know that there is an entire universe contained in ATEEZ’s discography. The dystopian evil government takeover they were describing in this album was brought to life so flawlessly, I could almost believe that they’re really fighting for something. I am a “Sector 1″, “Cyberpunk”, and “The Ring” enthusiast.

28. 7TH MINI ALBUM [BE AWARE] — THE BOYZ (EP)

Release Date: August 16, 2022

I think THE BOYZ always put out fun records but that people usually miss out on the more poignant or softer tracks because of the ones they choose to promote instead. I really like “C.O.D.E” and “Timeless” but “Survive The Night” is my dearly beloved of beloveds.

29. 5th EP Album 'OK' Episode 1 : OK Not — CIX (EP)

Release Date: August 22, 2022

This EP only has four songs but they’re all great. CIX has been going in the direction of softer, more R&B-style songs recently, which I’m all here for, especially since Bae Jinyoung’s voice is very suited for that genre. I really, really, really love “Without You”.

30. BETWEEN 1&2 — TWICE (ALBUM)

Release Date: August 26, 2022

I would say that I’m someone who generally likes everything TWICE puts out but obviously there will be albums I like more. Conceptually, BETWEEN 1&2 is more mature, which is indicative of the girls getting older, and I think that’s a great thing. I am a superfan of “Queen of Hearts” and “When We Were Kids", although I also really like “Gone”.

31. MALUS — ONEUS (EP)

Release Date: September 5, 2022

This release had me by the throat throughout the entire fall season. In fact, it still has me by the throat. I can’t even tell you how often I listened to “Same Scent” and I definitely watched every single time they performed it. I also have a very special place in my heart for “Gravitation” and “STUPID LOVE”. This EP is also very bittersweet to me because it’s the last Korean release RAVN worked on before he left RBW and I can definitely say that their future records will not sound the same without him.

32. THE SECOND STEP : CHAPTER TWO — TREASURE (EP)

Release Date: October 4, 2022

The timing of this EP happened to coincide with Yedam and Mashiho leaving YG, which is still quite sad to me—but on the plus side, the songs are very catchy, moreso overall than their previous release. I really enjoyed the unit songs, namely the rap line’s “VolKno”, but “HELLO”—like “JIKJIN”—was the star.

33. MAXIDENT — Stray Kids (ALBUM)

Release Date: October 7, 2022

MAXIDENT is really everything I wanted in a Stray Kids album. For one thing, they gave me the Korean version of “CIRCUS”, which I had been begging for. For another, it has “CASE 143″, “CHILL”, “3RACHA”, and “TASTE” on it. But nothing—I repeat, nothing—beats the “nyaooooom”s in “SUPER BOARD” because it’s so unserious.

34. ANTIFRAGILE — LE SSERAFIM (EP)

Release Date: October 17, 2022

If you had told me that in 2022, a KPOP group would be releasing a genuinely authentic reggaetón song, I probably would’ve laughed at you but here we are. I will probably never get over “ANTIFRAGILE”. Ever. And “No Celestial”? Oh my God, someone give those girls a raise.

35. YOUTH — KIHYUN (EP)

Release Date: October 24, 2022

This EP only reinforced what I already thought about Kihyun: that he’s really a KPOP vocalist by day, indie rock singer by night. I love that for you, sweetie. You do you, Kihyun. Song I fell in love with the hardest is “STARDUST”.

36. Choice — VICTON (EP)

Release Date: November 15, 2022

VICTON had a release earlier this year that also has a lot of songs that made it onto my personal playlists but I did very much prefer this one, especially since it has “Time Chaser” because “Time Chaser” is such a beautiful song. So beautiful. Please love it.

37. 'The ReVe Festival 2022 - Birthday' — Red Velvet (EP)

Release Date: November 28, 2022

I don’t know what people’s issue with this EP is but it’s definitely my favorite out of Red Velvet’s more recent releases. Personally, I haven’t liked a release so much since their “Red Flavor” era. Top pick from this EP is “ZOOM”.

38. HARMONY : SET IN — P1Harmony (EP)

Release Date: November 30, 2022

Twice in one year, P1Harmony made an EP full of winning hype tracks and one ballad—but “Back Down” is on an entirely different level from the rest of the record. It’s so hard-hitting and powerful, the kind of song you’d play in your car with the windows down so that the cops might think about pulling you over for disturbing the peace.

39. Indigo — RM (ALBUM)

Release Date: December 2, 2022

This album is a vibe. A vibe! If you want to know more of my thoughts on this particular release, please read my review. My favorite songs are “All Day (with Tablo)”, “Closer (with Paul Blanco, Mahalia)”, “Hectic (with Colde)”, and “Wild Flower (with youjeen)”, which is inevitably the song that made me sob like my heart was shattering. Anyway, stream Indigo.

40. SKZ-REPLAY — STRAY KIDS (ALBUM)

Release Date: December 21, 2022

I didn’t think we were going to get anything else this late in the year but Merry Christmas and happy holidays to Stays from Stray Kids with this two-side record consisting of 25 tracks that include solo songs, sub-unit songs, and songs performed by the group. Top picks are “Fam”, “Limbo”, “Deep End”, and “#LoveStay”.

Feel free to share some of your favorite releases from this year! Did some of them make it onto this list?

*Releases were chosen based on how many songs from each release are currently on my personal playlists.

**Please note that this list is in order of release and does not include singles or anthology albums.

***WE NEED LOVE by STAYC is categorized as a single by Spotify but since there are three songs that are not remixes on it, I’ve chosen to include it on this list.

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