100 - 81 | 80 - 61 | 60 - 41 | 40 - 21 | 20 - 11 | 10-1

By Jamie Finn (@jamiefinn2209)

10. 사나워? Cruel - ddbb

In July, Platform Magazine hosted a few nights of live music down in Busan. While every band smashed it, the standout performance was by ddbb, who brought a revelatory level of energy. The Busan-based band debuted this year with a string of singles. Of their three releases, 사나워? Cruel is our choice.

사나워? Cruel is a sinister and seductive indie track with a touch of dance-punk. A perfect introduction to this band that makes us excited for what comes next.

9. Sundown - Goonamguayeoridingstella

Goonamguayeoridingstella originally started as a two-piece several decades ago but have continued to add to their ranks. With that comes a growth in sound style and perspective. 

Their excellent new album, 1969, is a chill mix of soulful psychedelic rock perfectly made for summer nights. Album highlight Sundown is our pick, though, for its nostalgic energy and warm guitar sound.

8. Boots for Stomping - The Reseters

The Reseters, described as Korea's only "Boss Reggae" band, released their debut album this year. Their take on ska has already made them a must-see band in Korea's punk scene. 

Boots for Stomping opens with an almost spaghetti western soundtrack vibe and also features, dare we say it, a Christmas organ kind of vibe? Either way, it's a boss song.

7. Something's Wrong - OHCHILL

Back in November 2021, we interviewed OhChill about their upcoming album, which they assured us would be out in two or three months.

Anyway, fast-forward two years and finally, the album came out.

We can't complain, though, because The Burning City was absolutely worth the wait. In fact, we'd even go as far as to say a serious album of the year contender. Epic rock smash Something's Wrong comes complete with frantic gospel backing vocals.

6. Love in balcony - 87dance

All the way back in January, loungy bedroom pop band 87dance released their first full-length album, Color Paper Hotel. And, boy, was it loungy. The band built on their earlier indie style by adding psychedelia and the slightest touch of beach rock to their lethargic-in-a-good-way sound.

Love in balcony is, believe it or not, one of the more energetic offerings on the album. It's a great mood-setter and a solid lurve jam.

5. 2017 - Park Soeun

Pop-rock was all the rage in Korea this year, and few artists can do that with such panache as Park Soeun. It's been a great year for the singer-songwriter, whose EP, Timeline, has some of her most well-received tracks.

2017 tenderly narrates the story of lost love amid the backdrop of a specific year. Through emotive lyrics and heartfelt vocals, the song intricately paints the joys and sorrows, capturing moments that linger in memory.

4. MOMOIRONO - GoryMurgy

Everyone's favourite indie lads, GoryMurgy, returned this year with their first new recordings in forever. Although, to fans, live favourite MOMOIRONO won't seem all that new. It's been a staple banger of the band's live shows for a while.

On this track, Gory build on their classic indie sound with an expansive and noisier aesthetic. It pays off, as the band have never sounded this vibrant. 

3. GAEKKUM - bongjeingan

Every year we do a top songs list, and every year, some sneaky fucking band releases new music in the last few days of December. Well, we don't care. We're going to include you in the following year's list.

Supergroup bongjeingan is made up of former members of Sultans of the Disco, Parasol, Hyukoh, and Kiha Jang and the Faces. Their debut single came out at the very end of last year and is just an astonishing math-adjacent, freak-rhythm rock track. It's an absolutely massive opening gambit from Bongjeingan.

Later, in 2023, bongjeingan would go on to release their first album, 12 Languages, which is also mental.

2. We Shine At Night - Parannoul

Parannoul's unique ability to deliver emotionally flooring songs is second to none. The enigmatic shoegaze artist creates noise-driven and heartbreaking music, and his 2023 album, After the Magic, is no exception.

Parranoul must be in a reflective mood. More so than usual. His track, We Shine The Night, comes from a semi-reworked track of his now-deleted laststar project. The lyrics about "sepia-filled days, recorded in an old photo album" also indicate a feeling of nostalgia.

1. Tik Tak Tok - Silica Gel feat. So!YoOn!

It's been a whirlwind year for Silica Gel that has seen them go from well-loved festival regulars to absolute superstars. 

Some have criticised the band for moving away from their early experimental side but their recent album, Power Andre 99, proves that the band still have a tonne of unique ideas.

Tik Tak Tok is symbolic of exactly where Silica Gel are now, merging their early exploratory electronica with huge guitar hooks and increasingly slick style.

Backed by a vocal cameo by Se So Neon's So!YoOn!, this 6-minute ascends from a straight pop banger into a cacophony of noise.