The Guardian has released its staff lists for ‘album and tracks of 2019’ and this year it features three Korean artists.
The list compliles the favourite albums and tracks from fifty-six Guardian music contributors, with six of them including Korean music on their lists.
Robin Denselow, World Music writer, included alternative-rock group Jambinai on both of his lists. ‘Onda’ made his album list and ‘Sawtooth’ his track list. Denselow is a respected music journalist and has been following Jambinai for a number of years – this isn’t the first time he has mentioned the group in his top tracks list.
BTS gained two mentions. Arts Writer, Katie Hawthorne, listed ‘Persona’ as a top track alongside music from Stormzy, Charlie XCX, Mark Ronson and Rosalía. Betty Clarke’s top tracks included ‘Boy With Luv’ ft Halsey alongside hits from Lewis Capaldi, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Lizzo.
BLACKPINK gained the most mentions, however, all for ‘Kill This Love’. Caroline Sullivan listed the girl group’s track alongside music from Ariana Grande, Lana del Ray, and Lizzo. Michael Cragg, Guardian music contributor and editor of BEAT Magazine, showed his appreciation of BP alongside Lauv, Ariana Grande, Stormzy and Charlie XCX. Freelance Arts Writer, Owen Myers, is also a BLACKPINK fan, listing ‘Kill This Love’ among music from Nicki Minaj, FKA Twigs, Taylor Swift and Lana del Ray.
