A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
Defying expectations for a rookie group from a survival series, NouerA have delivered the strongest K-pop album of the year so far. ZEROBASEONE’s newest album is more consistently great, but the highs are higher on New Is Now. Its title track is excellent and so if the surging tropical house of b-side Jet Stream, but Bring The Crunk ultimately takes the crown.
I never thought I’d go to bat for a track named “Bring The Crunk,” but that title is kind of a misnomer anyway. Yes, it’s as lively and energetic as crunk, but the genre borrows much more liberally from dance and club music. The tempo is high from the start, underlining addictive rap verses that give way to sharp melodic hooks. The song keeps building until it hits its breakneck chorus. I’m a bit disappointed in the production change during verse two, but I’ve heard much worse beat drops in songs like this. Overall, I’m just thrilled to hear a K-pop group tackle such a huge, bombastic sound. It’s been a long while since I’ve heard two “9” rated songs back to back on an album — let alone a debut album!
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
do you think there’s any buried treasures on lisa’s alter ego album?
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Haven’t listened to it yet so I can’t say.
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We did have I Don’t Thing from last year, oddball titles for amazing songs aren’t new in this space 🤭
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Great song! It reminds me of the bombast of T.R.H.M. Also, Nick, I fear we will not be getting another Pitter-Patter-Love or Make Sunshine from the Fantasy Boys, it appears we have yet again lost a boy group to the ‘badass’ concept.
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I don’t know if it is quite 9 territory, but certainly mid to high 8’s for me.
This is an SM quality songwriting. I am hearing EXO circa “Lucky One” era.
It doesn’t quite have the high polish of SM production, or the unusual selection of sound samples that SM seems to be good at. I am hearing the usual samples from that sample samples that everyone in pop uses – what is it called? KSHMR, had to google it. But it is done so well.
YES from me. I am hoping that they keep it up, and we will have known them when, just like we here were early stans of ONF and Golcha.
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Yes, I totally agree, I would have chosen this one for the single, but they’re both excellent!
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Why are people hating on MU? It’s noise music done the best way I feel!
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I don’t mind it at all!
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Also, is it just me or “Cause you are in my jetstream” makes others do a double take as well?
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Same, I honestly still don’t know what it’s supposed to mean. Though I did first hear it as “you are in my chess dream”, which didn’t make anymore sense either.
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I assumed a plane’s jet stream, though I’m not quite sure what that means either. Like, the person is caught up in the stream following the plane?
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Well… it didn’t until now 😅
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PLEASE REVIEW WOKE UP IN TOKYO BY BABYMONSTER!!
and no, it’s not bc it’s a goodsong (in fact i think it’s one of the worst i have ever heard) but bc it’ll be funny seeing your take on it xD
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this is a
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real treat and WordPress is being a jerk.
I like this album a lot. It’s a little rough around the edges, but the talent is there!
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