But it appears on the Best Albums section of this round-up rather than the Best Songs section for a reason: the 12 other tracks from this release, connected by a running theme of light versus darkness, are just as strong. The nine-member group combined retro influences from the ‘80s with its signature cheery sound for this lead single that is an instant earworm. The introduction of “I Can’t Stop Me” alone makes TWICE’s Eyes Wide Open album one of the most remarkable of the year. The other additions, which include both group songs and sub-unit releases that create more space to highlight each member’s vocal color, see a narrative weaved across cutting off old ties (“Ex,” “B Me”) and strengthening new bonds (“My Universe.”) Both Go Live and In Life offer a feast of dynamic hooks and festive vibes, but In Life has the slight upper hand in no small part because it introduced the lead single “Back Door”-a high-energy track brimming with pizzazz (and one of TIME’s 10 Best Songs of 2020). This rate of output is made all the more impressive by Stray Kids’ heavy involvement in songwriting, which three members-Bang Chan, Changbin and Han, who produce music under the sub-unit name 3RACHA-have taken part in since the act’s pre-debut songs. To get an idea of Stray Kids’ nascent but prolific career, look no further than the group’s two 2020 Korean albums: Go Live, released in June and consisting of 14 tracks, and the repackaged version, titled In Life, released three months later with eight new tracks. “Oh that would be my first death I been always afraid of.” “The heart no longer races when hearing the music play,” Suga raps. “Black Swan” is the project’s most arresting track: over serene guitar plucks, the members express the disturbing fear of losing passion for their craft. The album cycles through moments of introspection on BTS’ seven-year journey-from reflecting on the beginning of their career (“We are Bulletproof: the Eternal”) to boldly declaring that they welcome the pain that comes with their current level of fame and success (“On”). The generous offering of 20 tracks spanning an hour and 14 minutes allowed listeners to digest and dissect its complexities as the world transitioned to a period of isolation and quarantine. But BTS’ Map of the Soul: 7, released back in February, is the septet’s artistically intricate masterpiece of the year. Produced during the pandemic, Be brought calm and comfort to many this fall. The jabbing rap verses and thudding bass threaten to knock you down, but the vocalists’ melodies, so sweet and tender, promise to soften the blow. NCT 127’s martial arts-themed “Kick It” quite literally packs a punch. And yet, this chant-“let me introduce you to some new thangs”-has become one of the most iconic lines of K-pop in 2020 largely because of its overflowing swagger. So are the first lines of the track, which are neither delivered as song nor rap but as chants. The bombastic electronic noises in the first few seconds of “Kick It” are jarring.
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