No matter what concept they’ve come back with, I’ve always found JJCC’s songs to be pretty middling. Maybe it’s their connection with Jackie Chan (hardly a music taste maker), but I’ve never been able to take them very seriously as a kpop group. That said, the Duble Sidekick-composed ToDay is a big step in the right direction. … Continue reading
Fiestar are on the cusp of renewed interest, thanks to notable variety show stints from members Yezi and Cao Lu. It comes as a bit of a surprise, then, that Mirror continues the sultry, midtempo sound of last year’s not-so-successful You’re Pitiful rather than opting for a reinvention (or return to the fun sound of One … Continue reading
Lee Hi has always seemed to be stuck in a time loop. I mean this in the best way, as her style (both vocally and production-wise) looks back at the soul and jazz of the past rather than towards the trends of the day. And though this approach will never appeal to me as much … Continue reading
Of all of YG Entertainment’s active artists, Lee Hi has been denied a comeback the longest. Though she’s collaborated with others more recently, it’s been since 2013 that we’ve heard solo material. A wait like this does nothing but build expectations sky high. With Seoulite, she’s returned with two title tracks. Do either of them … Continue reading
When I first got into kpop, I was convinced that Miss $ were some sort of sub-unit of miss A. This was based on nothing more than ignorance and name confusion, though for as little recognition as the group has now, Miss $ actually debuted two years earlier than the much-more-popular miss A. Even today, … Continue reading
Despite being a self-confessed Sweetune addict, I thought Snuper’s debut single was pretty lousy. For Platonic Love, they’ve worked with the production team again, this time to much greater effect. Sweetune has always been heavily 80’s influenced, but it’s been awhile since one of their title tracks has been so explicitly indebted to the era. From … Continue reading
Seo In Guk is one of Korea’s best loved modern balladeers. Even so, it’s been awhile since he’s released any music. I’m a little ashamed to admit that I don’t follow him all that much as a musician, but I did adore him in (Korea’s best drama) Reply 1997. I came into Seasons Of The Heart knowing that it would be … Continue reading
For their first truly original Japanese single, B.A.P have opted for a sort of hybrid of their Young, Wild & Free from last year and 2013’s excellent One Shot. Even the music video features shades of both. This is a wise move, as the sound is one hundred percent theirs and skillfully paints a clear … Continue reading
Brand New Days is the rare example of a kpop group recording a jpop song that could easily function as one of its actual Korean comebacks. It doesn’t opt for a radical departure in sound, but instead builds on the successes of the group’s discography. Apink has been riding the cutesy concept since their inception, … Continue reading
With each song released through SM’s Music Station, it’s becoming more apparent that the platform is tailored to solo or duet ballads. This makes sense, as the songs aren’t promoted through performances or appearances, and it would be counter-intuitive to waste a full-fledged concept or choreography on something that is essentially a bonus treat for fans. … Continue reading
Only One isn’t the first time EXID’s leader Solji and variety-show-magnet Hani have collaborated as a subunit. Back in 2013, they released a pretty strong dance single called Good Bye under the name Dasoni. I’m not sure why they didn’t revive that moniker for Only One, but at least the sound is somewhat similar. Quite tellingly, the … Continue reading
KNK are a new boy group with YNB Entertainment, home to (highly underrated) girl group Bestie. Because I’ve enjoyed Bestie’s material so much, my interest was piqued when it came to KNK. Unfortunately, I think I’m going to have to wait until their follow-up single before forming a solid opinion about them, because Knock has … Continue reading
What’s with these AOA subunits and solos having such cringeworthy titles? I mean, I know it’s an English translation, but first we have “I’m Jelly, Baby” and now “Call You Bae.” Talk about appropriating the worst of western slang! Still, Jimin’s last solo track was called Puss (!), so I guess I should have tempered … Continue reading
In case it wasn’t clear, new boy group Voisper’s name stands for voice + whisper. I’m not exactly sure what this is supposed to mean. I know that in Kpop Star, JYP always preaches the importance of “half air, half voice” when singing, but I’m not sure a whisper approach would sound anything but creepy. … Continue reading
As part of KAT-TUN’s two-pronged victory lap before hiatus, Greatest Journey acts as both the theme and farewell to their (very funny) variety show Sekaiichi Tame ni Naru Tabi. More importantly, it’s the most upbeat, sunny track the guys have released in awhile, sending them off with a joyful blast of singalong pop. The first time … Continue reading
Unlock is the last official KAT-TUN single before member Taguchi leaves the group and the remaining three go on hiatus. Because of this, it carries with it an aura of sadness, though you wouldn’t know it from the song alone. Unlock is a classic uptempo rock number from the guys. And even if it may not … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. By all accounts, Taemin’s album Press It is a total triumph. … Continue reading
This has got to be the most embarrassing release from a major company in recent memory. CLC are from Cube Entertainment, home to such icons as Beast and 4Minute. They struggled in their debut last year, despite releasing some songs I really enjoyed. Now, after a nine-month hiatus, they’ve come back with two new members. … Continue reading
Paldang is a Dam built on Korea’s Han River, but in this funky new single from Eddy Kim and Beenzino, it’s simply a roadblock for girls to “rush over like water” on their way to a good time. The single cover even depicts a waterfall of long, dyed blue hair. As metaphors go, it’s basically … Continue reading
While the vocals in many of their peers’ tracks can sometimes feel like accessories to the beat or concept, Mamamoo puts the singing front and center. No need for electronic builds or breakdowns when a robust vocal harmony can get the job done even more effectively. It’s a commendable, even old-fashioned, characteristic of their music, and … Continue reading
