1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity GRAVITY Ah, the pensive album-closer. K-pop loves a pensive album closer. Here’s the deal: Whenever I see the title of this song, my … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity INSOMNIA Hard concludes with two slower, moodier tracks. In my mind, Insomnia (불면증) is the stronger of the two. After a suite of … Continue reading
XG are an interesting prospect. Managed by legendary J-pop company Avex, they’re finding much more success outside their home country than within. This seems to be by design, as they perform in English and target many K-pop venues and audiences. I haven’t seen them appear on any of Japan’s numerous music shows, but they’ll be … Continue reading
We have just over a week to go until the release of EXO’s long-awaited seventh full album, and the group has now unveiled two pre-release tracks. Following emotional ballad Let Me In, Hear Me Out picks up the tempo ever so slightly to craft a throwback summertime groove. I’m just… so underwhelmed by these pre-releases. … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity SWEET MISERY I’ve seen Sweet Misery mentioned as many listeners’ favorite track on the album, and I understand where they’re coming from. It’s … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity LIKE IT There are a few vibes (or if I’m being more cynical, “templates”) I tend to love when it comes to SHINee. … Continue reading
Every year around this time, a handful of idol groups release summer-themed albums. I look forward to these projects, as their bright, upbeat sounds tend to match my taste. WEi are the latest to embrace the season, unveiling the buoyant Overdrive (질주) to promote their sixth mini album. I should absolutely love this track. It … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity IDENTITY Five tracks into Hard, and Identity is where the album feels like it finally kicks in. Up until now, we’ve had a … Continue reading
NiziU’s second album is scheduled for release in mid-July, but its lead single has been unveiled early. Coconut is NiziU’s bid for a summer hit and contains many of the elements we associate with the season. I’ve had a hard time embracing NiziU’s music. Apart from the occasional standout, I find it too closely-aligned to … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity SATELLITE At this point, the album is slowly gaining steam. Similar to 10X, Satellite would have benefitted from a later placement in the … Continue reading
I’m following the reunion of Infinite with the eyes of a hawk. They’re my all-time favorite K-pop group, after all. It doesn’t seem that we’ll be getting any new music for the next few months, but I hold out hope the guys will make their looooong awaited comeback before the year’s end. Until then, leader … Continue reading
I’m writing about a new U-KISS track in the year 2023! I can hardly believe it, but this year is shaping up to be a gauntlet of long-awaited second-gen comebacks. U-KISS have endured many line-up changes, and this current iteration reunites six fan favorites. And rather than lean into current K-pop trends, the guys have … Continue reading
Ahead of a promised full-group comeback, Treasure have unveiled their first sub-unit. T5 is apparently composed of the five members who claimed themselves the most handsome in the group. Hey, at least they’re being honest about their intentions! Whatever the case, Move throws down a great groove that raises expectations for how Treasure’s upcoming “Reboot” … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity 10X This is quite a shift from the album’s first two tracks. Running order is a real issue on Hard, and 10X would … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity JUICE Apparently, this is the song SM fought for as the album’s title track. And if we’re purely deciding between Juice and Hard … Continue reading
Debut group Kiss Of Life spent last week unveiling its members, one solo release at a time. The quality of these solos was generally high, increasing expectations for how the four would sound as a complete group. Bye My Neverland (안녕,네버랜드) is the first answer to that question, but the song fizzles more than it … Continue reading
It’s been a few years since we’ve heard from Han Seungwoo. After completing his military service, the soloist is back with the smooth R&B flavor of Dive Into. It’s a bump in energy from 2021’s sentimental See You Again, taking him back to the sounds of his debut mini album. While Dive Into is pleasant … Continue reading
Days after pre-releasing Wicked Love, Yena has made her official comeback with Hate Rodrigo. The title of this song has stirred plenty of online chatter. Is she dissing Olivia Rodrigo? Is this a loving reference? Did Olivia herself have a hand in it? I have to give it to Yena’s team. They know how to … Continue reading
With Kings of K-pop SHINee making their long-awaited return today, rookie group 8TURN’s new title track may fly under the radar. But against all odds, they’ve actually released the stronger of today’s singles. I wasn’t completely sold on their debut, but the rock crunch of Excel is a lot of fun. I’m not sure there’s … Continue reading
SHINee’s The Feeling has blossomed into an early summer highlight, buoyed by the group’s heavenly vocal blend and the song’s driving energy. I’m very thankful for its existence, and will be positioning it as the official title track in the blissful (deluded?) alternate reality I’ve constructed around SHINee’s new album. Unfortunately, the album’s actual title … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 