What to do when you’ve been in the industry for sixteen years? FTIsland are elder statesmen of K-pop, respected for their consistency and longevity. It’s been a good six or seven years since their music has excited me, but I respect their dedication. New single Sage sounds much like you’d expect it to — an … Continue reading
Vocal lovers, unite! After terrorizing us with their baggy jeans, the NCT universe has paired members Taeil and Haechan for a jazzy midtempo that lets their voices shine. I’m not crazy about N.Y.C.T as a song, but it encourages you to lean back, put your feet up and enjoy its beautiful soundscape. SM Entertainment’s next … Continue reading
DKZ’s Jaechan recieved a big boost in popularity thanks to his starring role in BL drama Semantic Error, buoying the fate of his group alongside his own career. So, it only makes sense that he’d venture into solo work. After August’s pre-release Time, he’s unveiled his first title track Hello. Popularity aside, not every idol … Continue reading
Amidst all the big-name comebacks today, girl group Blackswan have a stealth attack in the form of b-side Cat & Mouse. The song was previously released alongside title track Karma back in May but it’s now enjoying elevated status with a newly-released music video. I call this a ‘stealth attack’ because the song is legitimately … Continue reading
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed Hwasa as a performer much more than I’ve enjoyed her actual music. She has all the makings of an incredible solo star, and her success bears that out. But often, the songs don’t live up to her potential. I Love My Body is her first release under PSY’s P Nation … Continue reading
It’s been a struggle for Woollim Entertainment this year, with just a smattering of single albums released since last November. Their most established group, Golden Child, have been mired in their longest hiatus yet and the young Rocket Punch haven’t fared much better. It’s been over a year since we last heard from them, making … Continue reading
Lee Chaeyeon’s Knock experienced unexpected longevity on the charts, lodging its catchy hook in many listeners’ brains. She’s found her niche in quirky dance pop, which perfectly compliments the musical perspective of her agency WM Entertainment. New single Let’s Dance seeks to build on this success by smoothing the edges and delivering an explosive energy … Continue reading
Across their past few title tracks, Trendz have caught my ear with a brand of sturdy, rock-influenced K-pop that reminds me of a lighter version of early ATEEZ. This is no surprise given their work with producer Leez — an important contributor to the songwriting success of not only ATEEZ but Dreamcatcher as well. Like … Continue reading
Xodiac’s music has been a mixed bag thus far. The chanted Throw A Dice sent my head spinning, while the fizzy pop of Special Love delivered a welcome sugar rush. Pre-release Lemonade lands somewhere in the middle, pulling elements from both extremes. On its face, Lemonade is a groovy mid-tempo with strong hip-hop elements and … Continue reading
Purple Kiss are intent on keeping summer going throughout September, making a sharp turn and releasing their frothiest, most upbeat track yet. They’ve gone down the funky route before, but 7HEAVEN is downright ebullient. As a fan of big, summery dance tracks, this is music to my ears. Why not keep the party going all … Continue reading
After releasing the rocky Let It Be Summer last week, Young K is back with the title track to his first full album. Nothing But (이것밖에는 없다) tones things down, echoing the more pensive guitar rock of his band DAY6. I’m sure longtime fans will be delighted to hear this sound make a return, but … Continue reading
I didn’t write about Kim Sejeong’s late-August pre-release, but appreciated its lilting sound and Celtic influences. It certainly made me curious which direction she would take for the title track of her first full album. Thus far, her solo music has been all over the place, pulled together by the strength of her vocals. Top … Continue reading
Though I didn’t connect with BOYNEXTDOOR’s debut tracks as strongly as I would have liked, I appreciate their commitment to a signature sound and the bright, youthful energy their music portrays. But Sometimes (뭣 같아) is a quick comeback after their May debut and further develops their unique point of view. This song isn’t as … Continue reading
It feels weird — almost nostalgic — to be excited about a new SM Entertainment boy group. After years of NCT-style tracks, the agency seems ready to turn a page with the newly-debuted Riize. Their pre-release Memories has grown on me over the weeks, anchored by a euphoric chorus that should inform their sound going … Continue reading
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
Prior to the release of their new album this month, CRAVITY have shared the summery mid-tempo Cheese. That title conjures all sorts of… well… cheesy ideas in my mind, but the track itself is rather subdued. It’s certainly not among their strongest material, but the vibe is nice. I’ll echo a frequent Bias List critique … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 