It’s been a minute since I posted, but I’ve been itching to share songs and artists I’ve had in my sonic rotation recently and remembered I have this blog which is specifically for that XD So without further ado here are some artists and songs in no particular order I think everyone should give a listen too and make me very, very happy~

Artists

RIIZE

SM’s latest non NCT boygroup wasn’t initially a favourite, but they’ve grown on me, especially after watching their amazing visual album. If you’re new to the group or would just like a suggestion, I’d like to bring to your attention “Impossible” and “Another Life“. I enjoy their dance tracks and with “Impossible” that love hasn’t faded, but I was especially impressed with the closing song of their album Odyssey. I love a good mellow bop you can groove to and RIIZE delivers on that every time. I haven’t really met a SM group I don’t like so far XD.

Ziarra

Oh Ziarra, I can’t tell you when exactly I discovered their music but when they released the album Human Form I of course had to give it a listen and loved it immediately. I love all kinds of music, but find Rock to be a genre I can’t help but be particularly picky with so finding artists in the genre I actually enjoy is always a delight, and of course I love being able to support Black folks in a scene originated by us. XD While songs from the album didn’t make it onto my public Saturn Return playlist (mostly because I felt the album was too recent to include) it has definitely been keeping me company as we move through 2025. Two of my favourite songs on the album are “Granny In the Pit” and “I Love You, Say It Back“.

The Halluci Nation

The Halluci Nation is another new-ish group to me. I remember when they were still going by A Tribe Called Red, but very shortly after I found them they became The Halluci Nation. I’ve been enjoying their pro-wrestling themed albums and the punny messages within the songs. I love figurative language and wordplay so of course I’ve been eating up this storyline between the “Halluci Nation” and “Alie Nation” 😏😏😏 No idea at all what these songs could posibly be talking about~ None at all~~~ “The Place” is an amazing song that gets me going and gives me happy vibes, so I’d like to throw that one in the ring for your listening pleasure.

A bit of an aside, but I’ve always said that pro-wrestling is an amazing vehicle for storytelling and is a part of the modern American mythology catolgue as well as super heros. I’m hoping more artists take inspiration and explore wrestling as a vehicle for retelling myths and sharing stories.

TSHA

Sad Girl came out last year and I loved it. After discovering TSHA a couple years ago, I’ve been eagerly awaiting every new drop and Sad Girl definitely didn’t disapoint. For various reasons, last year I went on a Dance kick, rediscovering my love for the genre, and especially, DnB. you can imagine my happy surprise when TSHA had a DnB heavy song on the album. I’ve been bumping “Can’t Dance” like I’m being paid for it. XD

Monsta X

Daddy’s home! XD As a Monbebe I’m thrilled that (for now) every one is back from the military and doing things once more as the full group. To celebrate, some songs from while Shownu was gone were rereleased with Shownu’s vocals added in. I for one was very excited to see Lone Ranger made the cut. I don’t know who at Starships keeps deciding the American 1800 – early 1900s is the vibe for the group, but I love every time they’re dressed up as cowboys, civil war reenactors, and giving us Country adjacent bops. XD

As a long time fan of Monsta X (they turned 10 this year and I’ve been there since the beginning), it was especially fun seeing how they rearranged the songs. There were definitely moments where I’d go, “Oh, if Shownu was on the track he would have had this line,” so seeing where my monbebe ear matched with their decisions was fun to experience on my first listen through the album. They do say this is volume 1, so I’m curious what volume 2 will be? Maybe they will have a part 2 for I.M. when he’s back from his time in the military?

YUTA

Now, if you’re familiar with the concept of “biases” in Kpop, you’ll understand me when I say I am one happy NCT fan these days now that my bias is releasing solo music~~~💗💗💗 I’ve been a Yuta fan (quietly lmao) for a long while but it’s hard to keep my love for him contained. XD I don’t actually like to wear my love on my sleeve, but I think everyone should listen to Yuta’s album and recent EP! I was immediately taken back to my Naruto Christian Rock AMV days and am thrilled with Yuta’s music direction so far. A voice that great is a shame to keep quiet.

BAEKHYUN

Speaking of biases and great voices…Baekhyun isn’t mine in Exo (that’s D.O.) BUT he is one of my favourites XD I love his solo music and or course can’t get enough of the most recent album. “Lemonade” is a favourite of mine.

WayV

WayV is one of my favourite groups, period (though these days whether or not they’re my favourite NCT group is a hard choice to make) and so every new album I like to play on repeat. “Invincible” helped get me through my Saturn Return so I need to especially shout it out here. XD I joked in my video that it’s basically a Gospel song for me. It’s a must have for any hype playlist.

Songs:

• Chill Baby – SZA
  • This whole album is a delight to listen to, and this song would have made it onto my Saturn Return playlist if I’d listened to the album sooner, but SZA is a more recently consistent artist in my catalogue. She’s definitely carrying me into 2026 XD
• Stunner – Ten
  • I tend to like every other Ten release, but this most recent album was very fun and got me excited for the Summer. Stunner is an amazing song, but I wish they’d kept the overall vibe/theme of the Korean version for the English one. The English parts already worked, but for some reason they alter it completely in the English version of the song 🥲🥲🥲
• Creme Brulee – David Archuleta
  • I’ve been a David Archuleta fan since day one. I’m excited every time he releases something new and I can’t wait for his next album! Seeing his growth as an artist has been such a joy to watch. XD I feel like we’re growing up together.
• Tilt – Irene & Seulgi
  • I love this Red Velvet sub-unit and am tickled pink they released this in June lmao The promo pics alone had me losing my queer little mind.
• Life We Live – Project Pat
  • Oldie but a goldie. This song kept me going through my Saturn return, but didn’t make the cut for the playlist because, tbh? I was being greedy and didn’t want to share lmao Sharing now because the moment has passed. Sometimes you don’t have to share everything XD I’ve been luxuriating in keeping my most precious enjoyments to myself lately, but am willing to open the vault of what I enjoy so others can also have some fun this Summer. XD
• No Show – Haquin
  • A new artist to me found through finally looking up who did the vocals on a Dance track I like. Not the same person, but finding that person’s Instagram lead me to this person and I like the song and eagerly look forward to their next work. XD
• Tidal Wave – Got7
  • I know I said these aren’t in order…but I had to save the best for last. If you’ve seen my karaoke streams you know I love Got7 and I love BamBam’s musicality. Is there a song he’s written I don’t like? Tidal Wave is the perfect Summer song, the way Got7’s voice blend together and the sweet lyrics full of youthful romantic yearning just get me. I actually cried listening to it the first time because I was so touched. The whole album is amazing but this song is my favourite, even before Python (which BamBam also wrote lmao). If you listen to only one song or album on this whole list…let it be this one! At least for this lovely Summer season. XD It’ll keep you sane, I promise!

Ok, that’s my song suggestions for the season! This wasn’t exactly meant to be a list of listenings to indulge in during these hottest of hot months, but that’s what it came out to be. I hope you are doing well and would love to know what you’re listening to, what you’re working on, and how you plan to get through these upcoming dog days of Summer?

– XOXOX