Rolling Quartz’s Top 10 Songs

In the world of dance-focused groups, South Korean rockers Rolling Quartz stand out in the crowd. The band, consisting of five women, originally started out in different groups, but in 2019 they came together to introduce a grungier, more independent side to the Korean popular music scene.

Releasing their first song “Blaze” amid the COVID-19 pandemic made for an interesting start for a band that thrives via live performances. But then they made the jump to online concerts, releasing covers of many popular songs. Five years later, they are in the middle of their biggest tour to date. Following European shows earlier in the year, Arem (bass), Yeongeun (drums), Hyunjung (guitar), Jayoung (vocalist) and Iree (guitar) will be bringing their ROLLING QUARTZ [Stand Up] Tour to the U.S. and Canada, playing dozens of dates starting in March 2025.

Before that, familiarize yourself with our picks for the 10 best songs Rolling Quartz have performed. You can also scroll to the end for a playlist of all 10 tracks.

10. “NAZABABARA”

The final of three singles released by Rolling Quartz in 2022, “NAZABABARA” is a peppier track from their discography. Veering more towards pop-punk than other songs in their catalog, groovy strings propel the track forward, crunchy with playful riffs as the lyrics celebrate going out at night and partying it up while enjoying attention from a certain someone. “Oh, I’m bright like a cocktail/ I’m shining/ At that dizzying moment, fall in/ How can you just watch me?/ It’s time for your wish to come true.”

For the role of the man falling for Rolling Quartz, the music video tugs on South Korean music history and casts Lee Sung-woo, vocalist of the band No Brain, a ‘90s-formed act recognized as one of the country’s leading punk rockers.

9. “Reminiscence”

A more solemn moment from the band, Rolling Quartz’s “Reminiscence” is a sweet rock tune of immense feelings, both musically and historically: it’s a cover of the 1982 song of the same name by Korean rock greats Sanullim, and was released in collaboration with that band for the original version’s 50th anniversary.

Starting off with minimal instrumentals and relying on the soulful thrall of Jayoung’s voice to evoke thoughts of the past, the track turns into a powerful one, as if emulating the roller coaster of emotions accompanying the thoughts of someone who regrets past decisions that led them walking life alone.

8. “I’m a Loner” feat. Nam Do-hyon

Another remake, “I’m a Loner” was the first song by K-pop rock band CNBLUE back in 2010, and got updated in 2022 as part of the soundtrack for the Korean action film Decibel.

With a bit more added grit than the original, funkier version of “I’m a Loner,” the song maintains its original feel when it comes to the memorable chorus. But Rolling Quartz brought their own grungier style to update the song, with an added boost from rapper Nam Do-hyon (also known as toni rei), formerly a member of the boy band BAE173.

7. “Delight”

The first song ever written by Rolling Quartz after the members came together in 2019, “Delight” was finally shared with the world three years after they wrote it. According to the description of the music video on YouTube, “It was a song with lyrics about the delight of the Rolling Quartz members meeting each other. But now, this song has become a song about the delight of meeting you. Rolling Quartz, we are ordinary people. We are just people who make music.”

Released on the Fighting EP in 2022, the album’s creation process was described as warlike by the band due to the Korean music industry’s disinclination towards harder rock acts. However, “Delight” expresses their desire to bring rock with intensity, meaning and joy.

6. “Red Wine”

Sultry and laidback, “Red Wine” is Rolling Quartz at their most alluring, driven by velvety verses and sleek, wailing strings over a tantalizing beat. “Tonight is too short/ I’ll drink it down with you,” Jayoung croons.

There’s a back and forth drama of sorts between the guitarists, flirting with one another as the bass intensifies it all, like a rich glass of the deepest red that will lull you into a state of happiness… or one where you might make some dangerous decisions as you’re seduced into passion.

5. “Victory”

When it comes to finding “Victory” in the music world, this boisterous power ballad takes inspiration from the pre-Rolling Quartz career of vocalist Jayoung, and her struggles in other bands while performing at music festivals.

The 2024 song is bombastic from the very first moments when the strings and drums dive in with ferocity to amp up the mood to 11. By the time Jayoung starts singing about going from dreaming of success to getting what you want and feeling victorious, it’s hard not to feel like anything is possible as long as this song is playing.

4. “RE.BOLD”

The most recent release from Rolling Quartz, 2024’s “RE.BOLD” lives up to its title and feels exactly as brash and bold as the group can be at their very best.

This is a group who understands the heart and soul of grunge rock, who lives and breathes the harder sides of rock, but always brings a sense of personal success and femininity to everything they do. It’s bold to be a woman in music, and it’s bold to be a rock act in South Korea’s pop-dominated scene. By the time the track ends, we get wailing exclamations that sound a lot like Jayoung is asking, “Why? Why? Why?” and then answering with the song’s title, as if being “RE.BOLD” is the answer.

3. “Stand Up”

A stomping glam rock take on Rolling Quartz’s motivational anthems, “Stand Up” engages, and even demands, movement from its audience. The song spends its time urging “everyone have fun jumping around together” and “drop the beat and repeat” over its propulsive melody, building and building to the ultimate moments of euphoric energy.

Along with its rousing mood, “Stand Up” plays with a variety of elements to evoke traditional Korean drum beats, resulting in Yeongeun on the drums playing around with tip-tapping rhythms and brass that throws everything off-kilter before bringing it all back together.

2. “Blaze”

The very first song ever released by Rolling Quartz, “Blaze” arrived on December 30, 2020. A burgeoning rock band with no immediate opportunity to perform in front of crowds in Seoul’s indie music scene (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), they set the tone with this single.

With melodic hard rock vibes, “Blaze” introduces Rolling Quartz to the world, putting their dynamics and goals front and center. “I’ll show you a fantasy you’ve never seen before/ Take a look. Now it’s time to blaze,” Jayoung boldly declares. And, later, a bit more softly while the rest of the members harmonize: “All these incredible things I wanted endlessly/ Are spread out in front of me/ Those scary, heavy thoughts are behind me/ All I have to do is look ahead and run.” It’s a mission statement of who this new band is, and their promise to go forward towards success.

1. “Fearless”

Everything about Rolling Quartz’s existence and sonic identity is encapsulated in “Fearless,” which arrived in September 2023 and remains one of the band’s most-beloved songs… even if it’s an attack against all those who don’t love them at all.

On “Fearless,” they bring a bit of a lighthearted, summery feel with an almost playful take on rhythmic metal. It’s fierce and aggressive with roaring string solos and strong, forceful drums and a music video that ends with the band performing in the rain like the legends that they are.

Tickets for the ROLLING QUARTZ [Stand Up] Tour are available now on Ticketmaster.