Boy group Spectrum debuted in 2018, and have struggled to find an audience despite consistently releasing solid material. Up to this point, their singles have been composed by production team Code 9, who have giving them an identifiable sound. New track Showtime switches up producers (and lowers the budget, if its music video is any … Continue reading
Rather than the big-name, big agency rookies that peppered 2019, 2020 has seen much more modest debuts. We’ve had several of these so far – the kind of idol groups who are swimming upstream from their very first release. The K-pop industry is ridiculously saturated at the moment, and unless you arrive with pre-debut hype … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. In a way, On was the perfect title track to represent … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. A sense of continuity is so important when it comes to … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Overall, I found IZ*ONE’s new album BlOOM*IZ to be a downgrade … Continue reading
Girl group 3YE have been steadily sharpening their sound with each release, injecting memorable touches into an otherwise generic K-pop style. Last year’s otherwise-bland Out Of My Mind thrived on its addictive pre-chorus, which employed the kind of airy, rapid-fire delivery that made Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy such an international success. New single Queen (퀸) goes … Continue reading
BTS’s new album Map Of The Soul: 7 arrives with the kind of multi-week media roll-out that’s more commonly attached to artists outside the K-pop industry. It’s billed as a momentous release – possibly the last full group work we’ll hear before members start enlisting. Yet, none of its pre-release material has felt all that … Continue reading
I’m going to give you a spoiler right off the bat. I’ve listened to all five solo songs on AB6IX’s special mini album and there’s only one I like. It probably won’t take too much sleuthing to uncover which track that is, especially if you’ve been reading The Bias List long enough to know my … Continue reading
Weki Meki didn’t release much music in 2019, but it was their strongest year yet. Picky Picky drew on their quirkier side to great appeal, and Tiki Taka was the summer anthem that should have taken over all of the charts. Taken together, these songs formed a solid stepping stone to build upon. Unfortunately, new … Continue reading
SM Entertainment’s EDM division has always felt like a pet project, often forgotten and rarely promoted well. We’ll get a Hitchhiker track here, a BeatBurger track there, and none seem to stick in the public consciousness for long. To tell you the truth, I’m really only drawn to these kinds of releases when a known … Continue reading
While I’ve enjoyed everything Dreamcatcher have released so far, my absolute favorite tracks were never promoted. I love when the group meshes their J-rock style with unexpected elements, like the psy-trance of last year’s Silent Night or the hard-hitting electro of 2017’s Sleep-Walking. For years now, I’ve longed for a Dreamcatcher title track that shares … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Despite being active in Japan for many years, Super Junior don’t … Continue reading
Ever since their debut in 2017, I’ve felt that WM Entertainment’s promotion of ONF has been kind of lackluster. Their first few years saw a dearth of comebacks, just as the group needed to start building a fanbase. 2019 was better in this regard, offering two mini albums and a consistent sound. Then, WM started … Continue reading
Originally scheduled for release last November, IZ*ONE’s BLOOM*IZ album has become something of a K-pop holy grail. With MNET’s Produce 101 scandal sending its related groups into disarray, it seemed as if the music might never be released. But, while boy group X1 bore the brunt of the controversy and ended in disbandment, IZ*ONE have … Continue reading
Even as the Produce 101 monolith crumbled in Korea, the franchise remained alive and well this past fall in Japan. The first season spawned new boy group JO1 – an eleven-member unit who might as well be interchangeable with any other winner from the series. Still, the idol corner of the J-pop market has shown … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Earlier this week, Pentagon were the subject of my ire for … Continue reading
Nu’est have been models/spokesmen for character-based business Spoonz since 2018, and that occasionally results in a CF song that harnesses their cuter, more cheerful sound. This collaboration began with the genial I Don’t Care, and now we have Let’s Love – just in time for Valentine’s Day. I usually prefer Nu’est’s brighter side (Love Me … Continue reading
Mamamoo’s massive success has spawned equally popular solo offerings from its members. This time last year, Hwasa unveiled the addictive Twit, which ended up being one of 2019’s most enduring hits. This time around, it’s Moonbyul’s turn. She’s back with her second mini album, which sees her trying on a different style for title track … Continue reading
Rather than opt for a full-fledged comeback, AB6IX have released a digital album that compiles solo tracks by each of the members. Logistically, I understand why Brand New Music decided on this approach. There was the looming matter of their (now-cancelled) European tour, followed by U.S. stops in the spring. And from all accounts, member … Continue reading
KARD have publicly talked about their difficulties finding music within the K-pop industry that’s written for a co-ed group. Their mixed configuration has become a distinct calling card, but also boxed them in. Compared to single-sex groups, it feels like they’re more limited when it comes to concept. Perhaps because of this, their 2019 work … Continue reading
