Rather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post.
I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: a 0.5 shift here, a 0.25 shift there. But, it’s a fun way to keep track of how my feelings on songs have changed over time – as well as which tracks currently have momentum on my playlist.
And remember, just because a song is marked as a “faller” doesn’t mean I hate it! Falling from a “9” to an “8.75” is no shame. 9+ rated songs occupy a totally different playlist in my music library, so I’m pretty particular about what qualifies. It’s a high bar.
This month’s feature covers the period from August 20th to September 23rd.
RISERS
Baekhyun – Pineapple Slice
Rating: 8.25 → 8.5
BOYNEXTDOOR – Dangerous
Rating: 8 → 8.75 *Biggest Riser*
BOYNEXTDOOR – Nice Guy
Rating: 7.75 → 8.25
Oh My Girl – Classified
Rating: 8 → 8.25
RIIZE – Combo
Rating: 8.5 → 8.75
Yeonjun – GGUM
Rating: 7.5 → 8
Young Posse – Ate That
Rating: 8.5 → 8.75
FALLERS
Key – Pleasure Shop
Rating: 8.25 → 8 *Biggest Faller*
NCT Wish – Dunk Shot
Rating: 8.75 → 8.5
Taemin – Horizon
Rating: 9 → 8.75
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
No hate but nice guy was so boring and it just ended up falling even more but dangerous ended up rising for me so I’ll call it a win😍
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I do not know what is happening with Key. On paper everything seems fine, he still goes hard for his concepts and all that, but the music has not been amazing in a while. Solid? Good at times? Sure. But after “Face” and especially “Bad Love” albums I really thought he will be someone who, will be fully aware of how important music is in all of this. The drop after “Gasoline/Killer” is baffeling.
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Agreed with all of this. I really need him to push the boundaries, musically.
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Yk I have a soft spot for Key’s new album because I’m partial towards sleek dance music. But I agree that it feels too reserved compared to most of his past works. His music is at his best for me when he goes all out instead of holding back.
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Not Key getting Dua Lipa treatment, pleaaaseeee
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Horizon as a faller for you?! NOOOOO! Tbh it’s one of my most favorite songs of the year.
But I’ll give it to you for Pineapple Slice. I had this feeling that it’ll grow on you within time once you posted the review. Glad to see that I called it haha.
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It’s just a small drop. You know how serious I am about my 9+ ratings! Haha
It might get back there eventually, but I haven’t been as excited about the song over the past few weeks as I thought I would be.
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Damn, a huge rise for Dangerous? Idk, for me, it’s low-8s worthy than a 8.75, but eh, a matter of preferences. Sad to see Dunk Shot fall. I liked it a lot, and still remains as a 8.75 for me and this month’s favourite.
Anyways, my risers:
Fallers:
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Oh, and SOS (Fifty Fifty) also rose to a 8 (8, 8, 9, 7) from a 7.75 (8, 8, 8, 7) for me (:
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Just a side note to say that it’ s fun to see a commenter also make use of Nicks rating system.
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It’s fun this way to analyse different aspects of the song through his rating system and then again analyse which aspect rose for me and which fell (:
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Horizon and Classified really grew on me. Baekhyun EP is near flawless. Jury is still out on new Key album. Does it have NCT 127 Walk album cohesiveness (good and great) or EXO Exist sameness (good but not great)?
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Risers:
Jaehyun – Dandelions (cannot believe I dismissed this song when it came out, it is wonderful, he sounds wonderful, Love It!)
ZB1- Good So Bad (this will probably be on my top 10/15 on the Year-End list)
BND – Dangerous & Nice Guy (officially a sucker for these guys)
Lun8 – Whip (guilty pleasure🫣)
KJRGL – Overture Blue Wave (this one is still growing)
Last but not least…
ACE- Anymore (another group that can sing absolutely anything and I’ll like it). They just randomly released a song called “Just Better” and it’s just irresistible to me, I love them🥰
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Combo has also risen for me. I don’t find it as irritating as I used to. I learned to enjoy the cheesy edginess. Absolutely love those last 10 seconds tempo change (watching their Seoul concert helped me find the song more digestible and give another try!)
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Guess who’ s back to actually keeping up with K-pop? Well.. as much as is realistic for my fickle self anyway.
I’ve been rediscovering EXO and SHINee’ s discographies this month (every few years I remember how good their bsides are). In that context, Pineapple Slice came at the perfect time, but I wasn’t initially very impressed by it. I have now been singing it all week at random moments, safe to say it grew on me enormously.
Also: apparently the album comes in the shape of a pineapple can with round photocards (the ‘pineapple slices’), the CD is in the lid, and I just love that so much.
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The music show performances of Pineapple Slice really sold it for me. Baekhyun is such a consummate performer. That pineapple can album sounds adorable.
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These past 3 months in k-pop were absolutely dull for me. Not a single 9+ rated song in August/September, and my favorite “summer” song still remains (G)I-DLE’s “Bloom”
Anyway I’ve been discovering Orange Caramel discography and like 50% of their songs are 9/10+ (including b-sides). Do you remember any b-side from OC that particurarly caught your attention, Nick? My favorites are: ONE LOVE, Milkshake, So Sorry
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Yeah, July-Sept have been pretty dull this year. Plenty of good songs, but none of those 9+ rated tracks that really get me excited. Plus, there’s been long stretches of… nothing.
Orange Caramel have a great (but small) discography. I like the three you listed to, plus Cry, Bubble Bath and Superwoman. And I love Gangnam Avenue, though that one has an mv so I guess it doesn’t count.
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unrelated but nick what are ur thoughts on these recent songs?
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(posting again bcuz i accidentally pressed comment)
nick what are ur thoughts on these newly released songs?
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WEEKND: Nope. I’d take a thousand Dancing In The Flames over this.
KYLIE: I like it but I don’t love it. I wish it wasn’t so gimmicky and had a chorus.
ARONCHUPA: This reminds me of that godawful Dance Monkey song. It’s a no from me.
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im not the worlds biggest shooter for the original im an albatraoz, but i’d definitely take it over this terrible sequel
its like they were trying to be silly except they forgot to be good…
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They made a sequel to that awful albatraoz song?? Why couldn’ t they let it rest in peace..
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I’m surprised to see GGUM as a riser.
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I’m surprised so many people seem to hate it. It’s not an amazing song but it’s fun. It actually reminds me of something G-Dragon would have put on one of his early-2010’s albums.
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It was also a riser for me. When I first heard it I wasn’t much of a fan, but I kept coming back to it. It just seems to get stuck in my head.
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See That? Went from 7.5 to 8.75 for me 😍
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