June 2025 Wrap-Up: School's Out For Summer
As of right now, June has the fewest number of reviews that I managed this year. Not that it was a particularly slow month, I was just very inconsistent.
So debuts for the month of June in the year 2025! The I covered BE BOYS and ALLDAY PROJECT. Funny story, according to YouTube Music, because of how I write these, apparently I was one of the top listeners of "FAMOUS". Which is a little unfortunate. The groups I did not cover were USPEER, Re:Hearts (a co-ed band), KIIRAS, aoen, Double One, XONIK (which is already on hiatus and may be disbanded), DIVA-X, OX:N (Omega X subunit), Baby DONT Cry, and X-UNIT (XODIAC subunit). Nina, a new soloist, also debuted!
Songs I was looking forward to (even if I didn't actually cover them):
- ITZY: I'm really starting to like their sound. They've had some stunning songs
- izna: They haven't dropped a ton of songs yet, but I've been deeply enjoying all of what they've given us so far.
- QWER: I'm not super familiar with their discography yet, but they're absolutely on my radar for future releases
- Solar (MAMAMOO): She is stunning and I love her.
- ATEEZ: Look, those concept photos kind of wrecked me and, well, I'm only human.
- Kang Daniel: I'm still kind of chasing that Electric Shock high, but his voice is recommendation enough.
- ALLDAY PROJECT: A new co-ed group? YG-lite? Their entry here is more intrigue than it is anything else.
- NOWZ: Look, I decided I was going to love them. I'm just waiting for the title track to justify my patience, even though this is a pre-release. But I've got a good feeling about this one.
- Moonbyul (MAMAMOO): I love her so much.
- NINE.i: They're starting to enter into their military era as well, but literally anytime they drop anything, I am so much about it that it's not even funny. Give me literally any crumbs from them.
- Sungjae (BTOB): (I'm so glad he got his enlistment done before I found them; whaaaat? Who said that?) Y'all his voice is frankly stunning and every chance he gets to show that sucker off, I am right there for.
- Wooyoung (2PM): Ah, second gen goodness.
- Onew (SHINee): Ah, more second gen goodness and I've already fallen in love with his voice so I am here for this.
- fromis_9: I'm very much here to support them in their new home.
- Catch the Young: This is my fledgling band that turns two in November, and I will firmly be supportive of them and their talent.
- NouerA: I want the rookie groups to have time to shine so badly, especially when they've got incredibly talented members. Plus, I watched that survival show, so I'm keeping a very close eye on them.
- Oneus: This group has some really interesting music, and I'm always curious about when they drop something.
- Baekho: Y'all, his solo songs have not been my cup of tea, but I am loyal to the NU'EST members to my bones. Theoretically, he'll drop something that shows off his voice instead of just being sexy.
Seeing them actually lined up like that brings on the guilt a tiny bit. But also! I love the number of girl groups I love this month! I'm still a bit hesitant to like the girl groups too much, but this was a good month overall, with a lot of variety across the board that I was looking forward to.
Okay, music show wins, everyone! There was a group who dominated the weeks pretty strongly here, but also, a two-year-old b-side got a win too! That just goes to show that you never know what's going to hit and resonate.
And it's time for my favorite segment! The songs (that I covered) that I really loved and that got added to my playlist of my favorite songs for the year.
Top Releases of the Month:
- BE BOYS "I'M SO SORRY BUT I LOVE YOU": First of all, HAKSEONG! YOU DEBUTED! Second of all, there is so much energy and vibrancy to the song, but the album as a whole is such a well-rounded debut that I'm actually pleased with the company.
- ATEEZ "Lemon Drop": This song is still stuck in my head. This was the first one of the June releases that I actually covered, but it's such an earworm that it's warmed on me a lot. Also, still, good luck, ATINYs.
- NOWZ "Fly to the youth": The validation in my persistence is real.
- NINE.i "어쩌면": They actually got a rock song, and they sound so good!
- Sungjae (BTOB) "at last": That music video is phenomenal and he gets to show off both Actor Sungjae and Singer Sungjae in it.
- CREZL "Lady Marmalade": Yes, this is a cover. Yes, it is amazing. And it has Jinho from Pentagon in the group.
- fromis_9 "LIKE YOU BETTER": The lyrics of this song are so wonderfully wholesome
- ITZY "Girls Will Be Girls": Music video here for the win. Girl power. Let's go.
- izna "BEEP": Ah, yes. The fairy dubstep. This one I waffled on a little bit as to its inclusion, but I do like the bridge here and the entire vibe. Plus, the music video.
- DayChild "Click Clack": This song is adorable.
- Enhypen "Bad Desire (With or Without You)": Run time notwithstanding, I made an amusing comparison to Heaven by Taemin in this review (which I still maintain is accurate) that is only amusing when paired with the music video.
Full list of June reviews: here
Other months' reviews I posted:
- IU "Never Ending Story" (May 2025)
- Sevenus "Can I Love You" (May 2025)
- RIIZE "Fly Up" (May 2025)
- UAU (Dreamcatcher) "2 Months" {Debut} (May 2025)
- N.Flying "Everlasting" (May 2025)
- Hwan Woong (Oneus) "Radar" {Debut} (May 2025)
- Baekhyun (EXO) "Chocolate" (May 2025)
- 20th Century Boy'z "Dreaming" {Debut} (May 2025)
- Kang Daniel (Wanna One) "Mess" (April 2025)
Whoo!
There were unfortunately no Greatest Hits or Battle of the B-Sides posts for the entirety of the month of June. However, if you'd like me to cover a specific song in the future, leave a comment or a message for me somewhere, or you can fill out The Form.
Honorable Mentions:
- 20th Century Boy'z "MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS": I love this entire album so much. It's so amazing, but I limited it to one of the songs, and not the debut track. You want rock? They'll give you rock.
- Woozi (Seventeen) "Destiny": Again, basically the entire album was listened to on repeat, and other than the title track, this one was probably the one I listened to the most. I'm halfway in love with Woozi's voice. It's fine.
- i-dle "TOMBOY": Ah, this song is so good! My favorite line is probably "This is my attitude". I love them so much.
- Hui (Pentagon), Jang Hye Jin "Nameless": (The irony of putting Hui after them is not lost on me). This song is so freaking gorgeous. I covered it, if you want to read that review, but it's a stunningly beautiful song and they do such an amazing job of harmonizing together.
- CLC "Helicopter": This song is really just so good. Powerful. Fierce. I'm glad I let this song sit a bit with me because, yes, I love it now. I'm a huge fan of the drums in this song specifically.
- ATEEZ "Wonderland (Symphony No 9 "From The Wonderland"): Name a more anthemic song. I'll wait. (No, really. I love powerful songs and if you're going to put it on the same level as this one, then I need to know about it)
- NU'EST "Storybook": This is such a cute song. It's just cute and lovely.
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