Top 25 Red Velvet Songs: Critics' Picks - HitMusic.tv (2023)

Red Velvet's 25 Best Songs: Critics' Picks

Red velvet is said to have an extremely complex flavor. The unique flavor comes from its duality, a mixture of sweet and sour. It's not exactly the combination you'd expect, but because of that it's a dessert like no other.

the same can be saidRed velvetThe five-member girl group entered the upper echelons of the K-pop scene with a divisive concept: They combine the vibrant energy of their "red" side with the fluid R&B of their "velvet" side. The rapid development of the industry sometimes means that it feels jarring when groups change concepts. But the reverse charm forms the basis of the identity of the Red Velvet group.

K-pop is known for its fast-changing artists, but Red Velvet takes it to another level. They can be whatever they want:Girl Scouts,killer bitch,crazy carnival,aesthetic noise, oB-movie heroine.sometimes youmust be bold, and the quintet are constantly pushing themselves into new territory, taking conceptual risks while maximizing their unit's outsized talent.

Over the years, Red Velvet has achieved considerable success. Nine albums topped the Korean Gaon charts and won Best Female Artist at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards. The ladies embarked on their first headlining tour in the US earlier this year, and the Los Angeles dates sold out immediately. They ended up working with Ellie Goulding.in the mixHis most recent hit is "Closer To Me." Last year, "Bad Boy" made them the first girl group to reach the top.billboardA list of the best K-pop songs of 2018.

Somehow, it's been five years since Red Velvet debuted in 2014 with “Happiness.” so,billboardWe decided to celebrate their anniversary by going through their discography and ranking our favorite songs. Happy birthday, Red Velvet! We look forward to seeing more of you in the next five years.

25. "Atta Boy" (perfect velvet, 2017)

One of the highlights of Red Velvet's artistry, and one you'll inevitably discover as you read this list, is their ability to turn offbeat songs into some of the most addictive pop hits. The chorus of this hidden gem incorporates a chant-like melody that is oddly well placed for dark, trapping, and uplifting lyrics. This kind of experimentalism brings out the best in the group, and is one of the reasons why their full-length projects are worth digging into so much more than their lead singles. —jeff benjamin

24. "Sun face up!" ("The ReVe Festival" Day 1, 2019)

In the delicious finale of Red Velvet's food-related pictures, "Sunny Side Up!" follows a fragile relationship that could easily end. This excellent track is the thematic cousin of his labelmate f(x)"Ron pum pum pumIn a sense, they both build romantic stories around surreal metaphors (not to mention they share the same lyricist:Quangan Emperor.) Word games have no language barriers, as Wendy says, "Don't let my mind get blown!" Set on a reggae beat, this simmering song is one of her upbeat R&B tracks to date. —kaitlin kelly

23. "I love too much love" (#cookie jar, 2018)

The opening harmonies might make you think the song is a slightly romantic ditty, but Red Velvet's "Aitai-tai" ("Miss You, I Always") is an energetic track. The MonoTree production team is fullYasutaka NakataInstrumentally, while Red Velvet fills the foreground with flirty verses and snappy choruses that would be perfect for a Vocaloid track. —Monique Melendez

22. "Feliz" (happiness, 2019)

Red Velvet isn't the type to skimp on Japanese singles, and this electro-pop song stands out with its big brass and pounding beat. The titular boy "SAPPY" is caught in a love triangle and Red Velvet wants him to make a decision. "Leave the reverie," they sing to the fickle guy. (However, it probably doesn't help that the music video is a cult dream in the form of a video game based on The Office.) It is the most varied specimen of Red Velvet.boy museum, that go fromplacearriveVery badly. —CK

21. "Red Dress" (this red, 2015)

Duality is a key word when talking about Red Velvet's music, and "Red Dress" represents how the quintet adjust their mood and sound so easily mid-song. this outstandingthis redWatch the band kick off with a choppy, energetic beat, before turning the song into a lush bed of smooth synths and warm harmonies on the chorus. Never one of which keeps things simple, the two styles blend together for a cleverly chaotic final chorus. —JB

20. "The Lady of Luck" (Russian Roulette, 2016)

The girls prove that you only need five members to be in a great band. "Lucky Girl" incorporates the sonic variations the group is good at, mixing textures of circus, techno, and "womp womp womp."sad tromboneBut at its core, the song proves that her vocal harmonies are so powerful that they can deliver a bit of doo wop. These are not your grandmother's "dummies". —CK

19. "Happiness" (non-album single, 2014)

Beginning their career amidst chirping birds and shouts of “Happiness!”, Red Velvet took the K-pop scene by storm in 2014 with a bright, hard-hitting dance floor filled with eccentric tonal leaps. Exploring the colors of the quartet at the time, including playful doppelgangers of the girls' powerful solos, the song swings back and forth in such a way that it shows the potential for new performances and sets the stage for their entire foundational career. . —Tamar Herman

18. "Ice Cream Cake" (ice cream cake, 2015)

As the first single from a full lineup, it might be Red Velvet's most inappropriate song yet. The track is dominated by airy, haunting, melodious "la-la-la" beats, a recurring theme across all of Red Velvet's singles. When he changes gears, he erupts into hyperactive synth-pop, brimming with the members' charisma. A song that demands repeated listening, "Ice Cream Cake" was Red Velvet's first real commercial success, and it's easy to see why. —TH

17. "Iluminame" (velvet, 2016)

With so many pop stars looking to break into the R&B market today, you better watch how VR girls navigate the space. The show boasts a set list that would make any R&B pop star salivate, with "Light Me Up" representing one of the best. Soulful rhythms mixed with smooth choruses, plus a touch of sensuality, showcase the band's natural ability to blend in and conquer velvety R&B. —JB

16. "Russian Roulette" (russian roulette, 2016)

This upbeat track is the perfect distillation of the tonal dissonance at the heart of Red Velvet's work. Who else can call themselves "your sweetie"?russian roulette? But you have to watch the music video to get the full experience. The candy-coated footage could have been mistaken for a Wes Anderson movie if the girls hadn't gone on a deadpan killing spree. Sometimes saccharin and morbidity go hand in hand. —CK

15. "Go Back in Time" (this red, 2015)

On the surface, Red Velvet's "Time Slip" is the more restrained sister of Charli XCX and Iggy Azalea."to want."But listen closely and you'll see what makes this song one of Red Velvet's standout B-sides. There are harsh, impossible-to-ignore synths, tempo changes that keep you on your toes, and a tug-of-war between snappy rapping and the softer, dreamier chorus that embodies the lyrical haze between sleep and consciousness. —millimeter

14. "You better know" (red summer, 2017)

"You Better Know" is the staple material on "Crying in the Club," serving as both a source of solace and a dance floor. This foray into EDM includes poignant lines like "There's a world waiting for you, just like you." This energy paid off for the band: the song became one of their most commercially successful B-sides, on theGaon map of South Korea. —CK

13. "Cool World" (this red, 2015)

this redThe closing of the album "Cool World" begins with a loop by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock"I need two"That gave way to a synth-laden anthem of self-love. “Being different is what makes you different,” Seulgi sings in the most unabashedly uplifting song in Red Velvet's arsenal. The song's strength lies in its confident lyrics and the quintet's vocal performance, which deliver its message across language barriers with equal parts tender vulnerability and assurance that the world is great with you in it. —millimeter

12. "Blue Lemonade" (summer magic, 2018)

From the opening croon bar to the final track, "Blue Lemonade" blends Red Velvet's "red" and "velvet" sides into a smooth and spicy mix of electro-pop and R&B. It thrives on the expressive voices of the band members, fast rhythms and the peculiar digital buzz. There's a euphoric warmth throughout the song that redefines the feelings associated with the seasonal drink in the most refreshing way possible. —TH

11. "I Just" (perfect velvet, 2017)

perfect velvetThe deep cut "I Just" is the most unconventional new addition to the group's Velvet records. With the help of producer Hitchhiker, the quintet traded in their typical "velvet" R&B tracks for futuristic downtempo bass instrumentation, breathy chants, full stops and playful vocal slides. Backed by a floor-shattering soundscape, their eccentricities come together to create an evocative atmosphere not found on any other Red Velvet track. —millimeter

10. "A Little Love" (russian roulette, 2016)

Although the Russian Roulette EP was released in early fall 2016, Red Velvet easily won song of summer contender with the album cut "Some Love." Popular tropical home production combines with upbeat girl vocals and bubbly pop beats to create the perfect pool party jam. In short, it's a feel-good summery track, elevated only by a group whose personalities shine through on the record. —JB

9. "Automatic" (ice cream cake, 2015)

The dual concept behind Red Velvet is on full display on both albums of the group's Ice Cream Cake album. While the album's luscious title track showcases the band's "red" side, the "Velvet" single "Automatic" is one of their softest cuts to date. The simple percussion allows the ladies' knack for silky harmonies to shine through in what turns out to be a key cornerstone of their sound. Combined with the complex and highly coordinated choreography in the music video, Red Velvet quickly established themselves as a girl group beyond their age with this release. —J.B.

8. "Hide and seek" (perfect velvet, 2017)

Red Velvet's "Peek-A-Boo" might be named after a game commonly played with babies, but there's nothing childish about this 2017 song with its layered vocals and gritty melody. It opens with tuned synths and idiosyncratic rhythms that weave through different key changes to show the varied sensibility of the playing, but always returns to the coy "peek-a-peek-a-boo" of the chorus. It's accompanied by a gruesome music video featuring the women as a shadowy coven murdering delivery guys. Dark and shocking, it's the perfect backdrop for mischievous singles. —TH

7. "Mariposa" (RBB, 2018)

The colorful tones of butterflies are evoked on this hidden gem from 2018's RBB EP, their sounds soaring above retro synth-pop melodies. The song's "butterflies, butterflies" chorus meets crooning "oohs," while the calm verse offsets its hard-hitting chorus and sweetly showcases the members' voices. The quintet always uses rainbow-colored insects as metaphors to describe a beautiful romantic feeling, which lights up the world and fills the heart with confused love. —T.H.

6. "Mira" (perfect velvet,2017)

who needs90sEditarWhen can there be a retro concept with a Red Velvet touch? This throwback style draws from the band's R&B sensibilities, complete with springy synths straight off VHS tapes. thisbuzzThe produced track is a brilliant showcase of improvisation and vocals, as the girls are given the rare opportunity to reach deep into their lower registers. Then there's a dance break, making "Look" a deep cut from the music show's tour de force. As it turns out, the members know exactly how to tap into the nostalgia, no filter required. —CK

5. "Body Language" (novato, 2017)

when yournovatoThe EP was released in 2017, with Red Velvet less than three years into their career. But this stunning B-side first hints at the maturity and sophistication of these multifaceted musicians. seoul gicall itShe likes the tracks on this EP better, noting that this is the first time the group has shown a more sensual side to their '80s-style synth work. A single as wild as "Rookie," on the same album as a song like "Body Talk", further shows the variety of styles and moods that the band is conquering. —J.B.

4. "tonto" (this red, 2015)

the answer of k-pop"boom bang"Written by Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and Jesse J, the electro-pop powerhouse track starts off strong, never stopping for a breath, and harnesses Red Velvet's energetic vocals to become a true family hit. The horn-infused song moves at a frantic pace, revolving around the titular anthem. Powerful verses and sassy raps with Michael Jackson references break with fierce, repetitive statements about how love feels like "stupid, stupid." —TH

3. "The Kingdom Comes" (perfect velvet, 2017)

With a title like "Kingdom Come," you can't expect more than a religious experience, and Red Velvet takes us right into Sunday Mass in this R&B wonder. Backed by erratic percussion, her vocals take center stage through the sublime, intricate harmonies and brilliant improvisations of the talented Wendy and Seulgi. On arguably the band's best LP, "Kingdom Come" still stands out with its nostalgic '90s R&B sound and complex vocal layers, and showcases Red Velvet at their most mature. —millimeter

2. "Bad Boys" (perfect red velvet, 2018)

Let R&B designer The Stereotypes and SM Entertainment legend Yoo Young-jin give Red Velvet some of the classiest and sexiest tracks on their record. 'Bad Boy' leads the way in bombastic titlesperfect red velvetAnd it comes in spades, incorporating the R&B sound they've cultivated since 2014's "Be Natural." Layered sounds—sleek synths, flowing basslines, breathy snares, heel-slams, and finger-snaps—subtly blend, while the members' vocal performances are absolutely understated. Red Velvet has shown in recent years that they can handle R&B singles with ease, but this one stands out on "Velvet." "Bad" has never sounded so good. —millimeter

1. "Red Taste" (red summer, 2017)

"Red Flavor" was actually Red Velvet's signature song at the time. After its release in 2017, it became one of his best-selling songs and debuted at number 1 on the Korean Gaon chart. they even actedin North KoreaIt's a perfect blend of showmanship, with infectious hooks, haunting choreography, and a fruity music video that creates a sensory explosion. The chorus is kept simple, its harmonies emerging above the lively percussion. "Red Flavor" exudes a fun energy that makes for a great Korean summer song. In fact, composers Caesar & Louito revealThis bright bop is inspired by Little Mix and Beyoncé.

But it wouldn't be a Red Velvet set list without some quirks. The muffled vocal loop has beenFollowed by other idols, visually full of absurd images. (Not many artists doInterview with the fruity version of yourself.) This archetypal entry into their "red" side captures what the team does best: eccentric and engaging in equal measure. No wonder "summer" has become synonymous with Red Velvet. —CK