Over the past year or so, Just B have developed buzz that their infrequent release schedule isn’t taking full advantage of. When we last heard from them this spring, they dabbled in an electronic hyperpop sound that fit them surprisingly well and began to carve out a nice musical niche. A new mini album is … Continue reading
Author Archives: Nick
Song Review: Xdinary Heroes – ICU
Though Xdinary Heroes’s sound isn’t always for me, I admire their willingness to run full charge into new musical challenges. Their discography is vast and varied and almost always carries a confident energy that helps sidestep even the cringiest of sonic adventures. New single ICU is not cringy, but it’s certainly confident. The guys rock … Continue reading
Song Review: LE SSERAFIM – Spaghetti (ft. J-Hope)
Despite it only being a single album, LE SSERAFIM and HYBE mean business with Spaghetti. Not only does the song arrive bolstered by a fleet of remixes and alternate versions, but it also boasts a J-Hope co-write and feature. In other words, this ship has been built too big to fail. I guess we must … Continue reading
Song Review: MiSO – Spotlight
MiSO is not the kind of big name I would usually write about, but sometimes a song warrants coverage even if most people have never heard of the artist. She was a member of the hilariously-named group Girls Girls, who I actually wrote about all the way back during the first year of this blog. … Continue reading
Song Review: TXT – Where Do You Go?
TXT have gone all out for their new Japanese album, following single Can’t Stop with a second music video for album track Where Do You Go. I really like Can’t Stop and absolutely love my own cobbled together mix that adds a dance break and extra chorus, but of the album’s other new songs Where … Continue reading
Song Review: AM8IC – Buzzin
Given the time of year, you’d expect more spooky offerings from K-pop comebacks. Luckily, pre-debut group AM8IC is here to fill that void, though they’ve gone for a more upbeat, funny version of Halloween tropes. Like Dongkiz (DKZ) back in 2019, they’ve taken inspiration from the iconic Ghostbusters franchise. For me, this almost always ends … Continue reading
Song Review: BAE173 – Turned Up
After a series of survival series, BAE173 are trying to make a comeback in the most classic sense, reestablishing the buzz they had upon debut with a new album and series of promotional tracks. Title track Turned Up has been available for a week now, along with (most of?) the album for some reason. I’m … Continue reading
Song Review: DKB – Irony
K-pop’s super producers are largely retired, inactive or relegated to working with artists outside the mainstream. This is such a shame, as the industry needs its individual songwriting voices. Few K-pop comebacks these days have a signature sound because most are cobbled together by song camps using the same samples and loops. I miss the … Continue reading
Song Review: JinSoul (ARTMS) – Ring of Chaos
A week after Kim Lip’s Can You Entertain, the Odd Eye Circle solos continue with fellow ARTMS member JinSoul. Ring Of Chaos exists in a similar musical world, harnessing throwback elements for a breezy, understated pop track. Though I wouldn’t fully call Ring Of Chaos new jack swing, it borrows rhythms made popular in the … Continue reading
Song Review: VVUP – House Party
There are a few idol group acronyms I always have to re-research when new material rolls around. While I recognize the name VVUP, I can’t instantly recall one of their songs. Looking back, the group’s song ratings have fallen between a “7” and an “8” on this blog, which explains my confusion. Songs within that … Continue reading
Song Review: Kang Yuchan (A.C.E) – Close To You
Since signing with from20 and Hello Gloom’s Way Better agency, A.C.E’s Kang Yuchan has debuted as a solo artist and is now returning with his first mini album. This album represents an important milestone for both him and the agency, standing as one of their biggest projects yet. Co-written by Yuchan and Hello Gloom, Close … Continue reading
Song Review: Xiumin (EXO) – Overdrop
For me, EXO are one of K-pop’s most important pillars. Their discography often represents the very best of the industry. But if I’m being honest, very little of the members’ solo work has captured my attention. No member has capitalized on the “EXO sound,” choosing instead to pursue different genres and largely forgo the bombast … Continue reading
Song Review: Hearts2Hearts – Focus
It’s hard to tell what Hearts2Hearts are aiming for during their debut year. Are they the new-gen SNSD redux many of us hoped for? Or, are they a moodier prospect with subdued sounds befitting K-pop’s current landscape? They can be both or course, but I’m craving a strong musical identity from the start. New title … Continue reading
Song Review: BOYNEXTDOOR – Hollywood Action
Since their debut in 2023, BOYNEXTDOOR has steadily built up a large fanbase and this year they’ve continued to branch out to festivals like Lollapalooza. All the while, their music has kept its own color, pulling as much from very old pop genres as it does modern trends. New single Hollywood Action continues this approach … Continue reading
Song Review: TXT – Can’t Stop
TXT are about to release their third Japanese studio album, making them well-established within the territory. Their albums have featured a mix of new material and Japanese re-recordings of Korean tracks, and this time we’ve got a proper lead single as well. Can’t Stop pulls from an addictive 80s sound and offers a peak at … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from October 12 – 18
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. In 2025, I thought I’d try something new and add a weekly feature to supplement my monthly round-up. Each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And … Continue reading
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (October 19, 2025)
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
Global Pop Round-Up: October 2025 Edition
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 … Continue reading
TWS PLAY HARD: In-Depth Album Review – Here For You
1. Head Shoulders Knees Toes // 2. Overdrive // 3. Hot Blue Shoes // 4. Caffeine Rush // 5. Overthinking // 6. Here For You HERE FOR YOU Fan songs are an integral part of an idol group’s discography, and they’re at their best when they’ve got some heft to their melody and production. TWS … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: NMIXX – Reality Hurts
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. NMIXX’s first full album is very … Continue reading