7 of the Best K-Pop Songs That Came Out This September (And Who to Watch in October)

As the last few months of the year tick by, the K-Pop industry is in full throttle with new albums and singles! New artists like Aespa, girl group favorites like LISA, and future legends like TOMORROW X TOGETHER are releasing some of their best work to date, and September was a busy month full of unforgettable anthems and ballads. Here are seven songs from the past few weeks that will go down in K-Pop history!

Aespa – “Next Level” (Habstrakt Remix)

Habstrakt’s take on Aespa’s smash “Next Level” is a danceable anthem made as one of the first releases on SM Entertainment’s ScreaM Records division, which will focus on EDM music and remixes of songs by SM artists. It’s also a great way to keep Aespa fans on their toes ahead of the group’s debut mini-album next month! You can connect with Aespa on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, and learn more about Habstrakt on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Warning: The music video below contains flashing images – viewer discretion is advised for people with photosensitivity.

CL – “Lover Like Me”

Ahead of her upcoming debut solo album, former 2NE1 member CL lets her partner know that no one will love them like she does ahead of a potential breakup. It’s a confident anthem that’s mostly in English, until CL lets her rap skills shine on a Korean verse. The track shows off what she does best: managing to take complicated emotions and create a sleek masterpiece, while never losing awareness of her self-worth. Keep up with CL on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and her official website!

ITZY – “LOCO”

The infectiously catchy lead single of ITZY’s debut full-length, Crazy in Love, “LOCO” sees Chaeryeong, Lia, Ryujin, Yeji, and Yuna falling “crazy in love” with someone. Thematically and sonically, it feels like a mature continuation of their April 2021 hit “In the morning,” showcasing their growth as a group and versatility. Check out ITZY on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube!

Warning: The music video below contains flashing images – viewer discretion is advised for people with photosensitivity.

LISA – “LALISA”

LISA made a triumphant solo debut aside from her work with BLACKPINK with the victorious “LALISA,” which made her the third BP member to release their own song after Jennie and Rosé. Over the course of three and a half minutes, she shows off her confidence, rap skills, and love for her home country of Thailand. “It’s a good opportunity for me to finally let the world know: this is who I am,” she told Billboard earlier this month. You can link up with Lisa on Instagram and YouTube!

Monsta X – “One Day”

Perfect for American music fans looking to get into K-Pop, “One Day” is a fully English track with bittersweet lyrics that encompass the feelings after a breakup. Group rapper JOOHONEY shares, “We are finally releasing a new English single after our first English album ALL ABOUT LUV. I’m truly happy and fully prepared to show different charms that we possess. Let’s always be together, cherishing each other and give ‘One Day’ lots of love!” You can get to know Monsta X on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. 

NCT 127 – “Lemonade”

The bubbly “Lemonade” is a fan-favorite track from NCT’s recent album Sticker, calling out skeptics and proving the band’s talent over a hard-hitting 808. Taeyong gets to show off his fast rap skills while Mark commands the catchy chorus, making “Lemonade” a promising track that will undoubtedly become a future summer favorite. Keep up with NCT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube! 

TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)” (feat. MOD SUN)

TXT recruit American rocker MOD SUN for “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You),” a romantic, guitar-driven track that’s perfect for any fans of the current pop-punk revival. A different version of the song, featuring Seori, appeared on the group’s The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE album earlier this year. Once concerts are back in full swing, this track will surely become a live staple! Until then, you can catch the virtual TOMORROW X TOGETHER LIVE <ACT:BOY> show on October 3rd, and connect with TXT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter!

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October will be another exciting month for K-Pop, with comebacks from some of the world’s favorite groups! Here are some releases to look out for:

• Aespa will be releasing their debut mini-album, Savage, on October 5th! The group has already been heralded as monster rookies since they debuted with “Black Mamba” last November, and their sci-fi concept includes avatar versions of all four members. Keep up with Aespa on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
• CL is set to release her first full-length solo album, ALPHA, at some point in October! Until then, we’ll be streaming “Lover Like Me” and linking up with CL on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and her official website.
• ENHYPEN will drop their debut full-length, DIMENSION : DILEMMA, on October 12th. The album has already accumulated over half a million preorders, topping the preorders for their last mini-album, Border : Carnival. Get to know ENHYPEN on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, their band Twitter, their member Twitter, and YouTube!
• SEVENTEEN are continuing their “Power of Love” project with a new EP, Attacca, on October 22nd! The project explores the different types of love people experience in their lives, and Attacca follows the recent installment Your Choice. Check out SEVENTEEN on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube, and watch the EP concept trailer here!