It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. This phrase seems fitting to describe K-pop in 2019. The industry was forced to deal with some hard truths this year, and the reckoning was a long time coming. However, that didn’t make it any less messy. For the past few years, I’ve … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Twenty Four (from For Life – 2016) I can tell you right now, I have absolutely zero interest in a trap Christmas song. Twenty Four’s concept feels like the worst of trend-chasing, and it results in a forgettable entry to EXO’s winter … Continue reading
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! Which … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Trauma (from Love Shot – 2018) Trauma is a slick funk groove in a discography full of them, and could be easily forgotten because of that. And truthfully, EXO has released better songs of this genre before. But Trauma is not to … Continue reading
We’ve been inundated with ballads lately, and they’re making me sleepy. Down-tempo December is nothing new, but K-pop seems especially subdued this winter. Even most of its holiday-themed tracks have been on the slower side. And really, there’s only so much that you can do with a standard Korean ballad. We know the template well. … Continue reading
Kim Jaehwan really surprised me back in May, but it had nothing to do with his title track. Begin Again was a fairly straightforward K-ballad, bettered by Jaehwan’s immense talent. However, the rest of the album unveiled a diverse set of styles, including the brilliant funk-pop blast of Designer. Sure, Kim Jaehwan can rattle off … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Transformer (from Exodus / Love Me Right – 2015) With a militant hip-hop beat and distorted electronics, Transformer stands as one of EXO’s more aggressive tracks. It’s also one of their most fascinating. The verses are phrased with hip-hop flow even when … 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. There are so many K-pop introduction tracks that I wish were … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Touch It (from The War / The Power Of Music – 2017) EXO’s The War/The Power of Music album was filled with great grooves, and Touch It’s placement near the end means that it could get lost in the shuffle. However, right … Continue reading
So many male soloists have used Taemin’s slinky dance pop as a template for their own work. From Kim Donghan to Lee Gikwang, and Park Jihoon to Kang Daniel, a restrained, rhythmic arrangement seems to be the touchstone of choice. The latest performer to steer down this route is Lim Jimin, who debuted last May … Continue reading
After a busy 2018, BoA’s been pretty quiet this year. Her special spring single Feedback came and went with little fanfare, but the change of seasons brings new material. Her mini album Starry Night seems poised to soundtrack winter, positioning her normally upbeat sound within a more subdued framework. And when it comes to subdued … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Thunder (from Overdose – 2014) Thunder has a wonderfully late-90’s/early-00’s throwback appeal. It’s an uncluttered pop/r&b track with a straightforward groove and subtle use of symphonic synths. This provides ample opportunity for EXO to showcase their vocals. Members like D.O. and Baekhyun … Continue reading
I never thought I’d see the day when three-fourths of 2NE1 would release new music at the same time. Granted, none of these songs seem as if they’ll be actively promoted, but between CL’s continued digital releases and this holiday duet from Bom and Dara, it almost feels like old times. Come on, girls… just … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! They Never Know (from Ex’Act / Lotto – 2016) Opening with a soulful touch of organ and scratchy LP ambiance, They Never Know aims for languid nostalgia and mostly hits the mark. Melodically, it’s a pretty simple pop song, but the members’ … Continue reading
Over the course of their two-year history, Stay Kids’ releases have existed as a pair of trilogies. Last year, the I Am series opened with the dramatic District 9 and concluded with the more subdued I Am YOU. Though the genre elements have changed, the group’s 2019 Clé trilogy has followed almost the same trajectory, … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Tender Love (from Love Me Right – 2015) When EXO’s Exodus was first released, I felt that it could have done with more upbeat album tracks. Thankfully, its repackage brought the slick funk of Tender Love. This is one of the group’s … Continue reading
I don’t often write about English-language releases by K-pop acts because, quite frankly, I don’t usually like them. But, Monsta X have dropped so many English songs this year that it’s hard to ignore them. And apart from a dreadful French Montana verse, their Who Do You Love was a surprisingly funky bit of old-school … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Tactix (from Countdown – 2018) I never see anyone talking about Tactix, but it’s one of my all-time favorite EXO songs. This is no surprise, as the track carries many of my preferred traits. Relentlessly upbeat electronic production, an ultra-memorable chorus and … Continue reading
It was an odd year for award shows. With MNET embroiled in its vote-rigging controversy, the MAMA awards felt like an afterthought, broadcast only one night rather than its usual multi-day spread. The Melon awards weren’t even telecast, opting for streaming instead. Even so, their staging and production felt incredibly grand. In comparison, the MAMAs … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Sweet Lies (from The Power Of Music – 2017) Sweet Lies’ atmospheric r&b targets an EXO sweet spot, and allows the guys to stretch their vocals over a languid soundscape. The song is plagued by so many modern musical elements I despise, … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 