The Bias List is a K-pop blog that also covers a fair amount of J-pop. But just like 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!
February 2022 Edition // March 2022 Edition // April 2022 Edition // May 2022 Edition // June 2022 Edition // July 2022 Edition // August 2022 Edition // September 2022 Edition // October 2022 Edition // November 2022 Edition // January 2023 Edition // February 2023 // March 2023 // April 2023 // May 2023 // June 2023 // July 2023 // August 2023 // September 2023 // October 2023 // November 2023
Allie X – Off With Her Tits
This is so wonderfully strange but also such a banger. I love the electro bass sound.
Ariana Grande – yes, and?
Initially, I found the chorus underwhelming but this song has sunk its claws into my brain over the past week. Blame that early 90’s house sound, I guess!
Army Of Lovers – Love Is Blue (ft. Olya Polyakova)
This actually came out in October but the album was released later. It’s so great to have the legendary Army Of Lovers back!
Becky Hill – Never Be Alone (ft. Sonny Fodera)
An anthemic club banger.
Beyonce – My House
A fun way to close out the sprawling Renaissance project. This is so strange and experimental but somehow addictive.
D.O.D – Dominos (ft. Hannah Boleyn)
Sometimes you just need one perfect melodic hook repeated over and over.
Gothminister – We Come Alive
There will several songs from Norway’s MGP on this round-up, but this is the one I’m most obsessed with. The goth rock meets trance music combination is unbeatable. This is so massive and stupidly fun.
Hogland – Location Unknown
Ridiculously catchy dance pop from Scandinavia.
Janna – Onnistu elämään
Finland’s run of top-tier rock-infused synthwave continues. I love this!
JUNG – Something Beautiful (ft. Dagny)
The original version of this track came out last year, but Dagny’s additional vocals make it even better. Love the cheesy 90’s music video, too.
Kygo – Whatever (ft. Ava Max)
I should hate how obvious that Shakira sample/interpolation is, but this kind of bops anyway.
Mathilde SPZ – Woman Show (ft. Chris Archer & Slam Dunk)
A very addictive entry in this year’s MGP. It didn’t make it through the first heat, but it’s still super fun.
Mileo – You’re Mine
Another favorite from this year’s MGP. Very catchy melodies and fun, symphonic production.
Neea River – Cyanide
Neea River continues to be unbeatable. This one has an absolutely mammoth chorus.
Rina Sawayama – Imagining (feat. Amaarae)
I hate how Amaarae’s verse slows the tempo so much, but love how the rest of the song has been beefed up. The finale is especially thrilling.
Robin Schulz – One By One (ft. Topic & Oaks)
I love the unique vocals and cinematic sound of this dance track.
Slayyyter – Starfucker
Slayyyter’s repackage feels largely unnecessary, but this title track is a worthy, Gaga-esque addition.
Thomas Jenssen – Take Me To Heaven
Yet another MGP track. Big, power pop energy aimed toward stadiums.
twst – Catch Me (Beautiful Fall)
This has such a cathartic sound. I really love the production.
Vidar Villa – MER
The final MGP song on this round-up (though I could have easily featured more). I love his voice and the addictive pop melodies. A feel-good toe tapper.
Zara Larsson – You Love Who You Love
Zara’s upcoming album is shaping up to be a good one. This is another highlight.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I think my favorite right now is the first track off Kali Uchis’ new album; scratches the same itch as NewJeans. In fact, there are several songs on there that I’ve been listening to a lot, it’s a really good album.
Speaking of NewJeans, the songwriter of their Get Up EP has a new song, and I’ve been enjoying that as well:
Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder On the Dancefloor from 2001 has been trending, and since I don’t think I’ve ever heard this song before, I’m counting it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS – Kali Uchis’ quite unique enunciation on that track reminds me so much of one of my all-time favorite jazz singers, Better Carter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I3KJ2rsDQw , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C36CI__jlG4 )
LikeLike
typos $%^%$!! That’s BETTY Carter.
LikeLike
I am SO happy that Murder on the Dancefloor is trending again! I adore that song.
LikeLiked by 1 person
so as promised, here is my ranking of the mean girls musical movie songs
spoiler: none of them are good
1. a cautionary tale – 8
2. what ifs – 7.25
3. meet the plastics – 7.5
4. stupid with love – 6.75
5. apex predator – 7.5
6. what’s wrong with me – 7
7. sexy – 6.25
8. someone gets hurt – 7
9. revenge party – 7.25
10. world burn – 8
11. i’d rather be me – 7.75
12. i see stars – 7.5
LikeLike
What do you think of the original musical soundtrack?
LikeLike
the songs there are so much better, even if most of them are typical showtune fare
but hey, at least they aren’t boring
LikeLike
I discovered Neea River through here and she’s got all of five songs on spotify, but they’re all fantastic and I am obsessed.
I actually just checked and she dropped a new single yesterday and just like the others its great. Her go big, thumping beat, power vocal fulled style is simple awesome and I need more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow thank you!
Well, I guess that’s her spot secured in next month’s round-up!
LikeLike
Ooh good tip! Just listened, she’s great! Also love the way the production stays interesting throughout.
LikeLike
Yes, and has also been on my list. At first glance it should not be that good – very cheap, empty departmentstore sounding – but that is only at first glance. The production actually has some nice subtle variations to it. And of course the beat is just so addictive. I’ve been replaying it for literally hours. Yes – hours, on loop.
LikeLike
If anyone is reading this (hi!), don’t mind me yelling into the void about my last-minute January favourite.
January is not over yet – and a Finnish artist has barged onto my playlist just before the end of the month.
No, it’s not Käärija (though he’s going to be relevant in a minute). I’ve actually been following this Finnish singer for much longer. Robin Packalen and I are the same age, and I have casually followed his career since we were both 16. Our paths diverged, so to speak, when he ditched Finnish lyrics and unapologetically upbeat production in favour of trying to break out in the English-speaking world. I don’t know how successful he was, it was not for me.
This is where Käärija comes in. Cha Cha Cha doing so well in last year’s Eurovision was a huge statement in favour of non-English songs. I firmly believe that this played a role in Robin returning to Finnish, which he did approximately a month after Eurovision ended with Kolmistaan. Though still a bit subdued for my liking, Kolmistaan was both lyrically and production-wise a step in the right direction.
Kuumilla hiilillä feels like a full circle moment. This is Robin returning to his musical roots, but more mature now. His voice is at home here, surrounded by a stomping beat that only relents to give way to atmospheric little moments where layered vocals take center stage. Needless to say I am in love with the guitar here, as well. It is needed, because song is almost simplistically straightforward, but there is nothing more I want from Robin right now. After years of trying on different personas, it is so cathartic to finally embrace what you were always good at, who you were always meant to be. I hope that is his experience, too.
LikeLike
Ah, the full version is finally out! I’ve been playing that 30sec clip on YouTube for weeks waiting for it, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Have you checked out the cover songs he recorded for the Vain elämää series last year? There’s some good stuff in there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did a double take because oh my goodness you know Robin Packalens music?!
I actually did not know that this song would be coming out at all, I just saw it pop up on my Spotify recommended today.
I don’t think I’ve seen those covers yet either, so I’m off to check those out. Thank you for the recommendation!
LikeLike
Oh, yes! I’ve been with him since the beginning when he was firmly in that early Justin Bieber mode. His music’s always been excellent. This remix was one of my most played songs of 2012!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No way?!! I shouldn’t be surprised since knowing about music is your longtime hobby, but still! Oh man, I remember the Justin Bieber era (even though I discovered him a while after that). That remix still slaps.
Boom Kah! was on replay for my teenage self – corny, but honestly still fun.
What do you think of Kuumila hiilillä?
LikeLike
(I just checked out the covers – love them! Thank you!)
LikeLike
It’s fantastic, as expected! (and Boom Kah is still probably my favorite of his 😉)
LikeLike
Isn’ t it?! I am beyond happy to have someone share my excitement over this. He’ s not exactly well-known where I am.
I fell in love with a lot of the Vain elämää songs and now have a bunch of fresh music to listen to this week! This is why I like this blog so much. Nothing like finding new music and connecting over it with other people 🙂
LikeLike
If you’re looking for another excellent Finnish artist I would definitely recommend Erika Vikman.
(I think someone else already mentioned Neea River, but if not she also releases nothing but megabops.)
Finland has a really good ecosystem of maximalist pop going on at the moment. Not sure what’s in the water there, but I like it.
LikeLike
The comments are getting extremely thin, so I’ m replying it here.
I checked out Erika Vikman, great melodies, very Abba-esque! Neea River I had already looked up earlier, and love her music as well. Both also have a very distinct musical style which is so wonderful!
Finland is where it’s at, apparently!
LikeLike