With a title like “Dumb Litty,” the only feeling I could muster around the lead-up to KARD’s new single was morbid curiosity. How bad would it actually be? Yeah, I pre-judged this thing pretty hard. But, the group is coming off the swaggy noise attack of Bomb Bomb, one of the year’s most obnoxious title … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. While I like and appreciate Dreamcatcher’s rock-infused sound, my favorite tracks … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. The first time through Seventeen’s new album, I was a little … Continue reading
Saturday feel like a group in search of a novelty hit. I mean, any act who debuts with something called “MMook JJi BBa” is not looking to forge the next Stairway To Heaven. No, Saturday are in it for the short term, drawing attention with the most garishly upbeat fare they can muster. This approach … Continue reading
Girl group Laboum were at their commercial and musical peak from 2015-2017, book-ended by the pop brilliance of singles Aalow Aalow and Hwi Hwi. There must be something lucky about repetitive, onomatopoeia titles. Since that point, a newly-matured sound has brought the group a niche fan base, but the girls have struggled to cement their … Continue reading
The Produce 101 train rolls on, with agencies eager to throw their musical scraps at participating trainees and project groups before figuring out what to do with them in the long-run. The tragically-named Teen Teen brings together Produce trainees Lee Woojin, Lee Taesung and Lee Jinwoo, which makes me wonder if “Triple Lee” was ever … Continue reading
It’s easy to see why Dreamcatcher have cultivated an enthusiastic fan base. They follow the road-map I usually prescribe for newer groups: stick with a well-matched pool of composers, develop your signature sound, and offer just enough variation within that sound to keep things interesting. Since 2017’s Chase Me, the girls have forged a consistent … Continue reading
