Debuting in 2015, the ten-member UP10TION is the latest (and largest) boy group to carry the torch for TOP Media. They’ve managed to quickly develop a strong fan base, even as they constantly explore different sounds and genres with their title tracks. And though they haven’t yet had ten official comebacks, they’ve released just enough … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Diamond (from Be Back – 2014) Challenging Between Me And You for the title of Infinite’s best ballad, the stirring torch song Diamond provides the perfect spotlight for the group’s dynamic vocals. The instrumental drops percussion entirely, framing the track with a … Continue reading
After unveiling its triumphant co-ed theme song last week, The Unit is focusing on the guys and the girls separately. First up are the boys, filling that vast sound stage once more for the bombastic dance pop of Last One (빛). And while the song isn’t quite as addicting as My Turn, the novelty of … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Destiny (from Destiny – 2013) Barring their debut, Infinite had worked with Sweetune for every title track up until Destiny, making the switch to in-house producers Rphabet a big gamble. And while Rphabet strips much of the lush melodic touch that had … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. So far, I’ve found SF9’s album releases to be of … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Crying (Infinite H & Babysoul) (from Over The Top / Paradise – 2011) Crying is hip-hop unit Infinite H’s first stab at a solo, and the first time listeners were exposed to Lovelyz’s Babysoul. Given these momentous descriptors, you might expect the … Continue reading
A.C.E’s Callin’ follows up on one of 2017’s most interesting debuts. Not only did the group tackle an unusual electronic sound with Cactus, but they also performed the song with a flair for avant-garde, gender-bending fashion. And given the splash that they made back in May, it’s no surprise that they’ve chosen to double down … Continue reading
Last week, fan-favorite Produce 101 spin-off group Rainz proved that the series could generate more than just one successful act. But while Rainz set the stage with a colorful collection of trainees, JBJ looks to break things wide open – debuting with some of the series’ most popular contestants among its ranks. The group has … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Cover Girl (from Paradise – 2011) Of all the group’s album tracks, Cover Girl feels best positioned to become an actual promoted single. Stuffed to the brim with bright synths, the song kicks off with full energy from the start. The beatbox … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Many new k-pop albums were released last week, and although … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Come Back Again (from First Invasion – 2010) As with many k-pop acts, Infinite’s debut offered a sound they would rarely revisit. Crafted by producer Hitchhiker (more often known for his work with SM), Come Back Again’s iconic funk guitar riff frames … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. UP10TION’s latest single album may only be two tracks long, … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Close Your Eyes (Woohyun solo) (from Season 2 / Be Back – 2014) Woohyun would later release an entire solo album of ballads in 2016, but Close Your Eyes outdoes them all with its sense of good old fashioned drama and chest … Continue reading
It’s been well over a year since BTOB came back with a ballad. After the success of 2015 single It’s Okay, it seemed as if they were going to become stuck in ballad-mode forever, having finally found their commercial sweet spot. But with the changing of the seasons, the time is right to remind the … Continue reading
Highlight’s new mini-album is released in honor of their eighth year together — a feat for any k-pop group. Of course, Highlight itself only “debuted” earlier this spring, but the guys are rightfully including their time together as Beast. Can Be Better (어쩔 수 없지 뭐) follows up on the incredible success of March’s Plz … Continue reading
Taemin’s Press It was my favorite album of last year, so this comeback arrives with much anticipation (especially since it was originally confirmed for an August release). One of the reasons I gravitate to his solo music is that he pulls influence from the kind of classic, larger-than-life performers who simply don’t exist any more. … Continue reading
Over the past four weeks, Seventeen has been releasing a special track for each of its sub-units (including a new “leader” unit). This has been a smart way to shine focus on what makes this group so unique. They’re undeniably strongest when they’re all together, but the fact that they can craft songs of such … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Can U Smile (from Evolution – 2011) Released in two versions, the original’s scuttle of bright synth set the perfect backdrop for this catchy update to the classic boy band sound. Can U Smile’s melody plays like a ballad, but the song … Continue reading
Late last year, I took a look at the “big three” k-pop agencies and offered my thoughts about how they were doing in 2016. Now that a year has passed, it’s the perfect time for a second evaluation. As with 2016’s review, this is written from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not privy to any business-related … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! BTD (Before The Dawn) (from Evolution – 2011) After the lightness of Come Back Again and She’s Back, Sweetune took Infinite down a darker, more aggressively produced route with the bombastic BTD. The song’s opening synth klaxon is among the group’s most iconic … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 