Hey, it’s been two years without a new Wonho single! He’s been serving his mandatory enlistment and now seems ready to start a new era. For awhile there, he was dropping banger after banger, but pop has moved into different territory since then. The English-language What Would You Do fits into the more downbeat, subdued … Continue reading
I was a bit overzealous when writing about G-Dragon’s Power because I was simply so excited to have him back in music after seven long years. That zealousness continues with a review for Home Sweet Home, even if the song has no accompanying music video, and grows even more intense with fellow Bigbang members Taeyang … Continue reading
Rosé’s first full album is just around the corner, and it’s already buoyed by a global megahit in the form of APT. with Bruno Mars. That single’s addictive sound has proven to appeal to a vast array of tastes. You know a song has broken through with the general public when they start using it … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
Rather than release longer albums, Nowadays have blitzed their debut year with a steady stream of single tracks. This isn’t an awful approach if you keep the music coming and that music catches on with the public. Unfortunately, the group has found difficulty breaking through and competing with the year’s buzzier rookies. I haven’t yet … 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. Though it won’t be topping any … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
For a group of their stature, A.C.E have developed an outsized fanbase internationally, touring extensively to cultivate fans all over the world. Their music has occasionally catered to this market, though the past few years have been quite inconsistent when it comes to sound. In my heart, I’ll always hold A.C.E as those daring upstarts … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
After years of being relatively quiet compared to other NCT units, WayV had a busy 2024. They’ve already released albums in Korea and Japan and now they’re back to close out the year with a new project. High Five is the upcoming album’s pre-release and continues the funky, upbeat sound of June’s Give Me That. … Continue reading
BADVILLAIN released several tracks immediately following their late-spring debut, quickly establishing themselves as a charismatic, hip-hop influenced group. None of their material has hit with me yet, but I remain open-minded toward where they may go in the future. Unfortunately, new single Zoom (숨) doubles down on many of the more generic elements of their … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
I’m losing track of how many tripleS sub-units we have now, but I guess the sprawling nature of the project is kind of the point. Less than a month after the debut of Visionary Vision, we have a Japanese single by the newly-unveiled “∞!”. This unit takes a moodier approach, utilizing now-ubiquitous musical elements from … Continue reading
New JYP Entertainment boy group NEXZ have split their attention between Korea and Japan. Six out of seven members are Japanese, but they’ve been promoting actively in Korea with Korean-language music. New single Nallina certainly takes cues from the K-pop side of things, offering a dance-heavy showcase that skimps on the hooks and hinges on … Continue reading
SNSD’s Taeyeon can always be counted on for a long-lasting chart hit, but this summer’s Heaven didn’t seem to have the stranglehold on the public the way most of her singles do despite hinging on similar elements as Sabrina Carpenter’s world-conquering Espresso. New single Letter To Myself is a more comfortable fit for Taeyeon, drawing … Continue reading
Girl group MEOVV made their debut on Teddy’s The Black Label back in September with the disjointed Meow. That song seemed to come and go without much fanfare, but the girls have made a quick follow-up with new single Toxic. Co-written by YG Entertainment mainstays Teddy, Kush and 24, the song fits neatly within a … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
It’s been a good long while since CLASS:y last released music in Korea, and although they have a decent-sized singles run, I couldn’t tell you how a single song sounds off the top of my head. Such is the rapid pace and oversaturation of the K-pop market, I guess. New single Psycho & Beautiful sees … Continue reading
ATEEZ’s career has been divided neatly into series: Treasure, Fever, The World, and now Golden Hour. I’m sure hardcore fans will be able to identify sounds and storylines that make each series unique, but to the casual listener the group has retained many of its musical hallmarks across all these eras, favoring sonic bombast and … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 