7 Soulful Songs By DEAN To Revisit And Add Onto Your Playlist

With DEAN's return to the music scene, here are some of his songs to revisit and add onto your playlist!

Dyllan Mykel, Kpopmap Editor
3 min to read · Published : Nov 21, 2023 · Updated : Dec 13, 2023

7 Soulful Songs By DEAN To Revisit And Add Onto Your Playlist

DEAN's Instagram

While the hip-hop and indie music scene continues to thrive in Korea, many international fans will continue to gravitate toward the up-tempo K-Pop songs offered by their favorite idol groups. K-Pop maintains a strong foothold at the front of the music scene, with fourth generation groups like TXT, LE SSERAFIM, and NewJeans leading the new generation. While this new wave surges forward, there are various musicians who are able to hold their ground and remain more than relevant in the ever-changing landscape of the music industry.

One artist to do so is R&B singer DEAN. After about four and half years, he made his long awaited comeback with the single album, "DIE 4 YOU". Despite the influx of new faces performing across various stages, DEAN's influence continues to remain relevant and many have taken to social media to shower the singer with praise and affection following his return. If you haven't already, check out his newly released track 'DIE 4 YOU' down below.

It might not be a 10 song album, but it ticks off every checkbox of a chart-topping hit. Now, as we await for more music from the artist, it seems only right to compile a list of his songs to listen to right this instant!

So here are some groovy tracks by DEAN that you should definitely have on repeat.

1. 'I'm Not Sorry'

Revisit DEAN's beginning as an artist by listening to 'I'm Not Sorry'. Acting as his debut track in the United States, it not only showcased DEAN's soothing vocals but also his charismatic rap skills. Right from the start, he proved that he's an all-rounder artist able to do anything from behind the scenes production to standing on stage.

2. 'Bonnie & Clyde'

'Bonnie & Clyde' is another track from early on in DEAN's career that many consider to be a masterpiece. Everything from melody to overall feel makes the track completely captivating, urging listeners to remain until the very end. Don't be surprised if you find yourself playing 'Bonnie & Clyde' on loop all day long.

3. 'come over'

In collaboration with Baek YeRin, DEAN dropped this track in August 2017. While it served as a summer release, it's vibe completely matches the autumn/winter aesthetic, making one feel as if they're basking in the warmth of a blazing campfire. With their dazzling bright harmonies, don't be surprised if you find yourself smiling from ear to ear.

4. 'What 2 Do'

Featuring the iconic Crush and Filipino-American singer Jeff Bernat, 'What 2 Do' talks about the aftermath of a breakup. In contrast to this, the song is incredibly sweet and will have you naturally swaying from side to side. It's this duality that makes 'What 2 Do' a true masterpiece, causing its listeners to feel a spectrum of different emotions.

5. 'Howlin' 404'

'Howlin' 404' marked DEAN's last release before he took his over four-year-long hiatus. It showcased just how much he's evolved as an artist and that regardless of the music style, he's able to create a global hit. It's a song that you can have on loop while studying or working from home and still come away with deep appreciation for DEAN.

6. 'D (Half Moon)'

One of DEAN's most well-known songs, 'D (Half Moon),' is a masterpiece that plucks at every single one of your heartstrings. From DEAN's lovely vocals to the song's swooning melodies, it's a track that has kept a firm grip on the K-Pop and K-Hip-Hop/K-R&B communities. While seemingly lighthearted and sweet, 'D (Half Moon)' manages to convey the depth of heartache and love using the phases of the moon. As the song nears its end, you'll find yourself sucked into DEAN's gravitational pull, orbiting around the singer for days to come.

7. 'instagram'

DEAN's 'instagram' serves as evidence of his musical genius. On the surface, it's a groovy song that will naturally have you swaying left and right to its beautiful melody. However, it gets deep and introspective as DEAN talks about the struggles of feeling inferior to the people he sees on his feed. While social media can connect us to strangers worldwide, it can also make us feel less than our actual worth. Despite being released in 2018, 'instagram' presents themes and topics that remain relevant today. 'instagram' is a timeless hit, filled with soul, while also offering much needed reassurance that we are not alone.