One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Step (from Pink Tape – 2013) Step is the militant club anthem f(x) were born to deliver. It has personality for days, throbbing over brassy synths and distorted electronics. Much of the melody is targeted at the same endpoint, giving the verses … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: December 2020
Buried Treasure: BoA – L.O.V.E
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 BoA’s Better doesn’t have quite as many highlights as 2018’s … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Stand Up!
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Stand Up! (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) Stand Up is the kind of cheery girl group song you’d expect of most K-pop acts. It actually feels a little more suited to the Japanese market than Korea. The melody is bright … Continue reading
Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2020: JYP ENTERTAINMENT
After taking a deep dive into both SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment, it’s time to move onto another of K-Pop’s bog four agencies: JYP Entertainment. As usual, the thoughts are my own and aren’t privy to any insider information. I’m not taking into account things like profits and stock value. The purpose of these articles … Continue reading
Song Review: NCT 2020 – Resonance
I’ve been a little hard on NCT lately, but that’s only because I find their concept so promising. It borrows quite a bit from systems that the J-pop market has been using for ages, but has the potential to bring a uniquely K-pop aesthetic to the approach. That potential has popped up here and there … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Spread Its Wings
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Spread Its Wings (from God Of Study OST – 2010) A sub-unit track recorded for the God Of Study OST, Spread Its Wings brings together Luna, Krystal and Amber for a mushy mid-tempo that sounds exactly as you’d expect it to. For … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: ENHYPEN – 10 Months
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. Song for song, ENHYPEN’s debut mini album is perfectly solid. However, … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Spit It Out
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Spit It Out (from Red Light – 2014) Spit It Out’s introduction is quite exciting, unveiling an ascending bed of synths and vocals. This quickly collapses into an off-kilter rap before segueing into a rapid-fire melodic verse. The song moves at such … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: Kai (EXO) – Nothing On Me
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. Though Kai’s debut mini album isn’t exactly the sound I’d hoped … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Sorry (Dear.Daddy)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Sorry (Dear.Daddy) (from Nu ABO – 2010) This song title does not inspire confidence. Despite considering Madonna’s Papa Don’t Preach one of the finest pop songs in history, these kind of daughter-to-father tracks are usually way too sentimental for me. And, that’s … Continue reading
Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2020: YG ENTERTAINMENT
After taking a look at SM Entertainment‘s 2020 progress, it’s now time for YG Entertainment to take the spotlight. As usual, the thoughts are my own and aren’t privy to any insider information. I’m not taking into account things like profits and stock value. The purpose of these articles is to determine how well K-pop … Continue reading
Song Review: ONEUS – BBUSYEO
After getting done in by a firing squad in their last music video, ONEUS have moved full circle with the bright, funky BBUSYEO (뿌셔). How’s that for versatility? This marks the group’s first digital single release and arrives days after their first online concert. And really, a song like BBUSYEO is tailor-made for a concert … Continue reading
Song Review: BoA – Better
K-pop legend BoA has returned with her tenth Korean album, celebrating twenty (!) years since her debut. That kind of career is rare for any pop star, but the K-pop industry tends to be extra fickle. The fact that BoA remains such a dynamic presence is a testament to her skill, charisma and willingness to … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – So Into U
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! So Into U (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) So Into U has that classic “wet” sound I always associate with certain producers like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and that alone gives it some welcome nostalgia. As far as the … Continue reading