The Best B-Sides TXT Has Ever Released

TXT are back with a new album, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL, and it’s a good opportunity to dive into one of the things they do best: serve up quality b-sides.

Tomorrow X Together // Credit: BIGHITMUSIC

TXT are known for their memorable title tracks with intricate visual storytelling via their music videos and impressive performances, but they barely scratch the surface of TXT’s full range. Their albums are always worth a deep dive, traversing a range of genres and offering cohesive narratives both within the album and across them as a series. Plus, the songs are just plain great. So in honour of new music from TXT, here’s a look at their very best b-sides to date…

’Cat & Dog’

‘Cat & Dog’ is so iconic it’s hard to believe it’s not the title track off TXT’s debut album, The Dream Chapter: STAR (sorry, ‘Crown’). The catchy b-side comes with a super fun MV and choreography that evokes its animalistic lyrics. The whole thing is so deeply weird and silly, it’s impossible to listen to without smiling (and, well, barking like a dog). 

‘20cm’

‘20cm’ is a slow R&B song that showcases TXT’s incredible vocals. It explores a sense of yearning and coming-of-age that is both relatable and irresistible. The definition of a jam. 

‘Fairy of Shampoo’

A remake of a ‘90s hit, TXT truly make the song their own and offer a light, bright track with smooth choreography that guarantees a good time. 

‘We Lost the Summer’

Possibly controversial opinion, but I think ‘We Lost the Summer’ is a stronger song than the title track off the same album, ‘Blue Hour’. It’s one of the few pandemic-era songs that truly captures the heartache of the period while also being a bop. 

‘Wishlist’

“Wishlist” is a song with a wonderful sense of momentum — the kind that belongs on the soundtrack to a classic coming-of-age movie. It’s so much fun to sing along to, especially in the car. 

‘Anti-Romantic’

‘Anti-Romantic’ went viral on TikTok for good reason. It’s an aching, beautiful song that, in my opinion, remains a strong contender for the very best TXT song of all time (and there is a lot of competition). 

‘Opening Sequence’

While TXT excel at bright, boppy songs, they also do dark, moody music brilliantly. ‘Opening Sequence’ is an excellent example of that, complete with stunning vocals.

‘Trust Fund Baby’

Who can’t relate to the injustice of not being a nepo baby? In all seriousness, this is a slow, sad song that is dripping with a bittersweet edge. 

‘Back For More’

While TXT released a version of ‘Back for More’ with Anitta ahead of their album The Name Chapter: FREEFALL, the album itself features TXT alone. Both versions are great, although the version with Anitta is slightly stronger for me. Either way, it’s powerful and addictive. 

‘Blue Spring’

I have to admit, I’m often not a huge lover of fan songs, as sweet and earnest as they usually are. But ‘Blue Spring’ — which TXT performed on tour and then released officially on their latest album — is the kind of song that gets under your skin and burrows into your heart. It’s just lovely. 

‘You & Me’ by Jennie: Although Jennie has been performing this song on BLACKPINK’s world tour for the past year, it wasn’t an official release — until now. It’s been dropped as a special single along with a gorgeous performance video that immortalises the iconic partner choreography from the tour. 

I’ve Mine by IVE: The much-anticipated first EP from IVE is here, with title track ‘Baddie’, pre-release singles ‘Either Way’ and ‘Off the Record’, and b-sides ‘Holy Moly’, ‘OTT’, and ‘Payback’.  

Heat by (G)I-DLE: This is (G)I-DLE’s first English language EP, and it features five tracks, including title track ‘I Want That’ and pre-release single — and one of my fave songs of the year — ‘I Do’. There’s also b-sides ‘Eyes Roll’, ‘Flip It’ and ‘Tall Trees’.  

IN the mood by Whee In: The first full studio album from Mamamoo vocalist Whee In features breezy title track ‘In the Mood’, plus 10 b-sides, including ‘17’ featuring fellow bandmember HWASA and ‘Bite Me’ featuring rapper HAON. 

‘TOO MUCH’ by The Kid Laroi feat. Jungkook and Central Cee: Not a K-Pop song, but it features a K-Pop artist AND an Aussie so I can’t not mention it! This is a fun collab that will no doubt go straight to the top of my “on repeat”.

I’ve been watching the Fifty Fifty drama continue to unfold with a mixture of concern and shock. In the past week there have been some pretty major developments. 

First of all, three of the Fifty Fifty members — Saena, Sio, and Aran — released statements on their joint Instagram account going into more detail than ever before about the terrible treatment they allege they received at the hands of their company ATTRAKT. They outline the severe health impacts they claim were the result of pressure from the company, generally as well as specifically about their diets. 

And if you’re wondering about the fourth member, Keena — she’s actually exited the group’s lawsuit against ATTRAKT and is seeking to rejoin the agency. She is now corroborating ATTRAKT’s allegation that producer Ahn Sung Il of The Givers manipulated the Fifty Fifty members against their label. 

ATTRAKT have now actually terminated the contracts of the other three members and says they are “taking action” against them. 

The situation just keeps getting messier, and it’s seeming less and less likely Fifty Fifty will be able to continue as a group moving forward. Whatever happens, here’s hoping the four members emerge with the careers they want and the health outcomes they need. 

With love,

Jenna