I hate to be cynical, but collaborations between K-pop stars and Western artists rarely work. Western pop tropes almost always take precedence, smoothing out K-pop edges until we’re left with very middle-of-the-road material. For her first solo album, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo went down a dance pop route, but all of that promise is shaved away on … Continue reading
Twice are no strangers to fan songs. In fact, their career has been one long ode to their fans. I can’t think of another group who has consistently catered to fans’ taste and musical expectations as well as Twice have. That’s not to say they haven’t experimented here and there with sound and style, but … Continue reading
Thus far, BABYMONSTER have followed the tried and true YG Entertainment formula, releasing a bunch of seemingly disparate digital singles eventually cobbled together into a mini or full album. This new comeback feels much more typical of K-pop: a title track and a few new b-sides. They’re not even tacking their summer single Hot Sauce … Continue reading
With over 5,000 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the “Random Shuffle Review” feature. The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets … Continue reading
I’m always a bit skeptical about songs called “Rock & Roll” that aren’t from actual rock bands, but if anyone’s got the attitude to drive this style it’s ITZY. They made their name on a brash energy that felt punky even as it was carefully designed by a corporation to appear so. Japanese single Rock … Continue reading
Though ONEWE debuted all the way back in 2019, K-pop is currently experiencing a resurgence of bands and rock music in general. This opens possible inroads that were harder travelled before, though it also means a more stuffed marketplace. Today, they guys are back with their sixth mini album and its sprightly title track Maze. … Continue reading
After breaking into the big leagues last year, QWER have been a reliable fixture on the Korean charts. Korea loves a rock band with a quirky, indie sound and QWER fill a void. As far as chart success is concerned, they feel like the female DAY6 at the moment. In addition to their off-kilter material, … Continue reading
After a slew of singles, newcomers HITGS are finally releasing their first mini album. The Chuseok holiday is a very odd time to do so, but they’re out with new title track Happy today. So far, their music has been pitched to a young audience, at times sounding like something you’d hear on a children’s … Continue reading
Over the years, K-pop agencies have found ways to keep content coming even as male idols serve their mandatory military enlistment. NCT’s Taeyong won’t be discharged until later this year, but he pre-recorded a video for “new” track 501 and surprise-released it for fans eagerly awaiting his return. I can’t say I’ve been a big … Continue reading
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. One thing’s for sure: the entire … Continue reading
Recent releases by TWS, RIIZE and IDID have me wondering if I’m starting to go full circle and enjoy weirdly atonal boy group hip-hop tracks again. It helps when the production is interesting and the subject matter isn’t simply “I’m so cool, look at me.” To be honest, much of my opinion about this style … Continue reading
As we enter the pre-Chuseok holiday period, new K-pop releases are bound to slow down. However, that doesn’t affect Japanese releases from K-pop idols since they don’t have to worry about Korean music shows being cancelled. i-dle are taking advantage of this with new J-pop single Where Do We Go (どうしよっかな), which paints a summery … Continue reading
K-pop’s pre-releases are getting out of control. I can barely keep up! Fans are absolutely spoiled with material, and now we have these surprise-release ‘music videos disguised as album promo’ moments. The YouTube video attached to NMIXX’s Spinnin’ On It is technically labeled “Blue Valentine Core: SPINNIN’ ON IT,” but incorporates an entire song from … Continue reading
Like so many other groups of their era, the members of BAE173 have tried to gain traction by participating on survival series. Most notably, that resulted in member Minwook re-debuting as the leader of Close Your Eyes, taking him away from the group. Now, the rest of BAE173 are back with a pre-release for their … Continue reading
So far in izna’s discography, there hasn’t been a full single that I’ve loved. Instead, there have been parts of izna singles I’ve loved. The synthpop chorus of Sign. The mid-2010s, vaguely tropical beat of their self-titled debut. Producers Teddy, Kush and 24 have robust resumes but I need them to take every one of … Continue reading
I often write about K-pop groups needing to find a “signature sound,” but that doesn’t mean the sound is always for me. Boy group POW have taken an oddly subdued approach with their music, leaning on elements of downbeat jazz to fuel their aesthetic. It hasn’t worked all that well commercially, but at least their … Continue reading
EXO has seen many of its members go solo and I’m beginning to spot a musical pattern between their output. Kai aside, I can’t think of any other major boy group whose solos have hung on more tightly to adult contemporary sounds. The guys seems to love tasteful rock and R&B that draws upon the … Continue reading
As Seventeen enters their inevitable military enlistment era, focus has shifted from group work to solos and sub-units. Next on the docket are S.Coups and Mingyu, joining forces alongside American singer/rapper Lay Bankz for a party track that heavily samples Roy Orbison’s iconic 1964 hit Pretty Woman. Wow… that’s a lot going on in one … Continue reading
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. There have been plenty of debuting … Continue reading
In many ways, P1Harmony represent a new generation of K-pop idol groups. While they certainly have a fanbase in Korea, so much of their focus seems to be targeted toward western markets. It feels like they’re always touring in the States and now they’ve released an English-language album. They even premiered its single Ex on … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 