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 // March 2022 // April 2022 // May 2022 // June 2022 // July 2022 // August 2022 // September 2022 // October 2022 // November 2022 // January 2023 // February 2023 // March 2023 // April 2023 // May 2023 // June 2023 // July 2023 // August 2023 // September 2023 // October 2023 // November 2023 // January 2024 // February 2024 // March 2024 // April 2024 // May 2024 // June 2024 // July 2024 // August 2024 // September 2024 // October 2024 // November 2024 // December 2024 // January 2025 // February 2025 // March 2025 // April 2025 // May 2025 // June 2025 Pt1 Pt2 Pt3 // July 2025 // August 2025 // September 2025 // October 2025 // November 2025 // December 2025 // January 2026 // February 2026 // March 2026 // April 2026 // May 2026 // June 2026 // July 2026 // August 2026
Check out my 9+ rated songs for 2026 by following this new Spotify playlist! (and check out prior years too, if you’re interested)
Benjamin – Tulkoon rakkaus
Benjamin’s on this season of Finland’s Vain elämää kausi, which means we’re going to get a bunch of awesome song covers like this over the next few weeks. Woohoo!
Bii x GBOYSWAG – BJBJB
I’m in love with this goofy dance collaboration from Taiwan. It reminds me strongly of 2012-era K-pop.
Carly Rae Jepsen – Motivation
The album’s a bit of a slog for me, but I really like this off-kilter house single.
Dove Cameron – When In Rome
Still waiting for an album, but it seems that one might finally be on its way!
Eini – Pomona
Another schlager-disco banger from the Finnish legend.
Felicia – Hulk
Her long awaited follow-up to her Eurovision entry is funky and fun.
Girls Aloud – What’s A Girl To Do
Not a new track, but a new track from the vault released by one of my favorite groups of all-time. I’ll take it!
Gunship – REVOLUTION.EXE (with Tyler Bates)
I keep impatiently waiting for a new album but for now these one-offs will suffice. I love the 90s dance rock sound.
Haute & Freddy – Touch Touch
I was lucky enough to go to their show last week and that further cemented my love for this vaudevillian 80s synthpop duo. This song really gets under your skin and grows more addictive with time.
Hemlocke Springs – Gloria!
I’ve been looking for an entry point into her music and this might finally be it. I love that chugging guitar and operatic chorus!
JJ – Not Afraid
He’s toned down the opera bit in favor of a big dance banger. It actually works really well.
Karim B – Eihän Se Niin Mee
Finnish songwriters are just killing it at the moment when it comes to pop melody.
Kiki – Kuolemantanssi
Exhibit B re: Finnish songwriters.
KLER x OTOY – Повільне диско
I just discovered Ukrainian dance act KLER this month and have become obsessed. This new slow-burn duet is great, but I beg you to check out the rhythmic feast that is Тисяча пісень!
LEXXE – The Box
Excellent synthpop as usual with a fantastic chorus.
Magdalene – Super Lucrative Jukebox Baby
A bit of a rockier turn for her, but still super catchy and theatrical. It’s so early-Gaga.
Merkel x Rolinski – Crucified Reborn
I’d much rather have original material, but I like what they did with this song. In fact, by replacing the spoken-word verses with actual melodies and upping the tempo I think they actually improved upon the original Army Of Lovers version. I still can’t believe these two are collaborating. It feels like a fantastic fever dream.
METTE – Small World
Okay, this is pure 80s Janet Jackson and I am OBSESSED with this sound. The album can’t come quickly enough.
Michael Medrano – So European
A cheesier (complimentary) take on early 2000s sounds. Pure Europop.
Miley Cyrus – Aftermath
The Bass Persuades single has its chintzy charm, but I think this is my favorite track from Miley’s (very uneven) new album.
Nelli Matula – Hoidan sut
Nelli Matula is also on this season of Vain elämää kausi with Benjamin and she covered his brilliant Hoida mut in her own way.
Rebecca Black – Metamorphia
I’m more mixed on her new album than others seem to be (too much talking/chanting for me), but this is my undisputed highlight.
Rogue Traders x Dannii Minogue – Dirty Dirty Disco
Given the pedigree of talent this track probably should have been even better, but I’ll take the unadulterated blast of nostalgia regardless.
SKYND – Johnny Kitagawa
A bombastic industrial rock single about the late Johnny’s Entertainment founder/predator Johnny Kitagawa? Equal parts fascinating and fantastic.
wavvyboi – Some Of Us Aren’t Made For Heaven
He just keeps delivering the emo glam rock goods. The two-part chorus here is absolutely MASSIVE.
XO – Stacey (Take You Higher)
A new girl group taking influence from the early-90s freestyle sound? Yes, please! And… they’re singing!
Zee Machine – Bad 2 U
His new album is another no-skip affair. One of pop’s most underrated indie artists.
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
isn’t Rebecca black the one that released that infamous “Friday” song???? I cant believe shes back. what would you rate her song that you listed here?
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Somewhere in the 8s. I like her album from last year much more… especially “Twist The Knife” and “Do You Even Think About Me?”
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For your 9+ rated songs playlists, are you going to give us some playlists of 9+ rated songs pre-70s. Ready to find out about some oldies bops 🎩
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That project is kinda put on hold, tbh. It’s something I only get to when I have extra time, which isn’t often. I’m sure I’d probably do older songs at some point, but it won’t be anytime soon.
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re: Rebecca Black – that’s exactly how I feel. it’s not a bad album but I read the reactions and people were saying it was a capital L loud album so I was disappointed when I actually listened to it 😞
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Perhaps Rebecca Black’s previous album set the bar too high, but I definitely agree that Metamorphia is the best of the album.
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I’m definitely one of the ones singing Rebecca Black’s new album’s praises. My fave track is Waschesalon, don’t think I’ve been so immediately wowed by a song like that since Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl. But it’s basically a no-skip for me overall; I think it works so well because it’s heavier on crazy production and energy the way my favourite video game OSTs tend to be.
Carly Rae Jepsen’s new album is fine so far. Not nearly as many hooks as her past work, but her lyrics and production are always interesting, and her stuff tends to be a grower on me anyway.
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its that time of the year again, some of you know what it is. ubisodt is unveiling their next just dance game, which means… IM RANKING THE SONGS SO FAR!! here is mine so far:
amazing i love it so much omg (10-9): bye bye bye – nsync (10), mamma mia – abba (10), stronger – britney spears (10), uptown girl (9), no scrubs – tlc (9.25), crocodile rock – elton john (9.25), around the world – daft punk (9.5), hello – martin solveig & dragonette (9)
i think its good (8.75-8): abc – the jackson 5 (8), danza kuduro – don omar & lucenzo (8.75), hot to go – chappell roan (8.5), manchild – sabrina carpenter (8), nuevayol – bad bunny (8.5), give me everything – pitbull feat. ne-yo, afrojack, & nayer (8.25), midnight sun – zara larsson (8.5), it’s tricky – run-dmc (8.75), feel good inc – gorillaz (8.5), starlight – the supermen lovers & mani hoffman (8.75)
mid (7.75-7):
no likey (6.75-6):
go to hell (5.75-1): turn down for what – dj snake & lil jon (5.5)
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