The Bias List is a K-pop blog that also covers a fair amount of J-pop. But along with most music fans, I enjoy tracks from all around the world. So, I thought I’d start a monthly round-up of some of the non-K-pop songs that have caught my ear. No ratings — just highlights!
Though I’m not including any Beyoncé songs on this month’s playlist since there’s only been one actual single from Renaissance, you can bet I’ve been playing that album to death. I could’ve included any of its sixteen songs in this round-up.
Billy Idol – Cage
A new single from the 80’s legend himself? This is an unexpected treat, and that trademark sneer sounds just as potent today as it did thirty-five years ago.
Carly Rae Jepsen – Beach House
Based on the two singles so far, I’ve got no idea what to expect from Jepsen’s upcoming album. Beach House is fun piece of pop fluff, as irreverent as it is catchy.
The Killers – Boy
I’d listen to anything produced by Stuart Price — especially when paired with a band as great as The Killers. Boy scores extra points for sounding as if it’s about to segue into Erasure’s A Little Respect during the second verse.
KSI – Not Over Yet (ft. Tom Grennan)
I love the combination of trip hop beats and anthemic melodies on this self-empowerment anthem.
The Rampage – The Power
I didn’t quite gel with this one enough to give it a full review, but The Rampage continue to be one of J-pop’s strongest purveyors of energetic — slightly retro — hip-hop pop.
Rina Sawayama – Hold The Girl
Hold The Girl initially underwhelmed (mostly because I wanted it to sound more like its Like A Prayer-esque chorus), but the song has grown on me in a massive way. The evocative video certainly helps!
Sophie And The Giants – We Own The Night
Straightforward dance pop with a great beat and a catchy chorus. What’s not to love?
Takanori Nishikawa – Bucchigire
Yep, my beloved T.M.Revolution is still releasing music, albeit under his given name. Bucchigire is an intense rock howler, with a music video that drops into some of the singles Nishikawa has released over the past few years (including the excellent Crescent Cutlass).
Tove Lo – 2 Die 4
No One Dies From Love hit me hard a few months ago, but 2 Die 4 might be even better. Built around a sample from Hot Butter’s 1972 song Popcorn, the track takes that addictive loop right to the clubs.
U.S. Girls – So Typically Now
U.S. Girls is actually just one girl, but she gives So Typically Now a slowburn synth groove that grows quite addictive.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I never expected a KSI song of all things to pop up in your blog. Genuinely surprised me lol
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His music is definitely improving, and I’m glad he’s made the list.
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It wasn’t really a dig on his music, it’s the fact that whenever I see TheBiasList I’ve always associated it with something civil or polite (if that’s the word??). KSI is well…KSI. So it feels like a fever dream seeing him here.
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I especially find this extremely mind-boggling since it’s a running gag within his (and the Sidemen’s) fans that his music is horrible and I certainly didn’t expect Nick of all people to say otherwise 😂
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New Billy Idol music? Hell yeah.
Carly Rae, of course, never disappoints.
KSI song is also surprisingly good!
Gonna listen to the rest at some point.
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Genuinely never thought I’d ever see a KSI song making an appearance on this blog
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I need to check out all of these.
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Okay I LOVE the Rina Sawayama song. Going onto my playlist as we speak.
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I’ve been really digging Rina Sawayama filling the space of big bold voices right now alongside the Lady Gaga and Pink’s of the pop universe.
Also appreciate how it seems she loves her songs and loves to sing the shit out of her songs. It is a joy to watch. So very different and refreshing from the hyperpolished ultrastylized megacamera angles of kpop music shows these days.
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About the KSI one…
I saw a video sating that he has cancer, which is immediatley followed by gift card giveaways.
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you know its fake because of what I just said Nick
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what that person said
“you guys…KSI has cancer ;_;
Do YoU wAnT tO wIn AlL tHe GiFtCaRdS dOwN bElOw??????”
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unrelated but remember noir? turns out one of their members, nam yunseung, was sentenced for threatening his ex with a weapon. fucked up stuff
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I don’t think I posted in the July one so this is a mix of July and August songs that I loved.
black midi – Sugar/Tzu. Jazz-prog fusion. I think black midi are one of the most unique bands of the last 5 years.
Counterparts – Whispers of Your Death. A love song about a cat. Also the greatest music video ever to exist.
Enter Shikari x Wargasm – The Void Stares Back. Just absolute insane electronic/nu metal ish/indie mix here, feels like a song and a remix at the same time.
Courting – Jumper. Idk I just love Courting and their brand of indie rock/pop.
Working Men’s Club – Cut. Probably my fave off their album that dropped in July.
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