Stray Kids seem poised to dominate the second half of July with the release of new album Ate alongside a track on the sure-to-be-blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine movie. That corporate synergy even extends to the music video for title track Chk Chk Boom. Of K-pop’s many global successes, Stray Kids are at the tip top … Continue reading
Fresh off their springtime ballad Samidare, HYBE’s &TEAM have returned with digital single (and pre-release) Koegawari. The guys have upped the energy a bit this time, delivering a laidback summer track whose charms sneak up on you. Koegawari isn’t flashy, choosing instead to softly percolate until its sprightly chorus breaks through. The instrumental shimmers with … Continue reading
n.SSign milked everything they could from their recent album, releasing no less than three title tracks. Months later, they’re back again with repackage Tiger. Repackages aren’t as common as they used to be in K-pop, but they can still be an enhancement to an already successful work. Tiger (New Flavour) pulls a 180 degree switch … Continue reading
I never know whether or not to write about K-pop’s CF songs. You can’t really approach a commercial advertisement with the same criteria as a title track, yet as a piece of music these songs often follow the same approaches as other K-pop songs and occasionally eclipse them. TXT’s Open Always Wins is a collaboration … Continue reading
Since moving on from Wanna One, the quality of Ha Sungwoon’s solo career has been mixed. For me, his music peaked in 2021 with the one-two punch of Sneakers and Strawberry Gum. New single Blessed takes him down a more aggressive sonic route, but falls apart once it reaches its chorus. By now, anyone with … Continue reading
A Brave Brothers produced boy group should be guaranteed catnip for my personal taste, but I’ve had a hard time maintaining interest in DKB’s music. They’ve released some decent singles, but for every highlight there’s another head-scratcher. New track Flirting X offers a sonic makeover, painting them as angsty rock stars. This is a welcome … Continue reading
Earlier this year, Waker’s debut slipped between the cracks for many listeners. A complete lack of music show promotion probably didn’t help, but I want to go to bat for the song because I still think Atlantis is a 2024 highlight. The guys have now returned with a summer comeback, serving a Vanilla Choco Shake … Continue reading
With member enlistments and debuts of younger artists in the agency, NCT 127 are now in an interesting place as respected seniors at SM Entertainment. This transition offers plenty of possibility for shifts in sound and approach. New single Walk (삐그덕) feels quintessentially NCT yet softens the tone for a more straightforward, digestible package. Walk … Continue reading
Whenever a new boy group debuts with a bright concept, it feels like we’re running against the clock before they inevitably shift toward edgier sounds. I’m not too worried about TWS in this regard, especially since their exceedingly bright title tracks have been huge chart successes. But when they do inevitably move on to new … Continue reading
The members of YG Entertainment group Winner have become well known as soloists, but before today main dancer Lee Seunghoon (Hoony) was the only one without an official solo debut. My Type (딱 내 스타일이야) acts as a funky springboard for his first mini album, delivering a bright blast of groovy pop. Seunghoon gets to … 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’s a lot of stomping going … 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. ENHYPEN’s second full album is a … Continue reading
Though JYP Entertainment has been active in Japan for many years, girl group NiziU was an early experiment in “J-pop group produced by Korean agency.” With companies like HYBE, SM and Lapone following suit, this strategy has become more common as time has gone on. It’s changing the J-pop idol landscape and blurring the lines … Continue reading
We hear more Mamamoo solo releases than group comebacks these days, which isn’t surprising given their standing as a veteran idol act. These solo tracks tend to be quite varied — both in sound and execution. Moonbyul impressed earlier this year by swerving in new directions, while Solar delivered both the expected and a sonic … Continue reading
ENHYPEN’s music has evolved over time, moving from darker, concept-heavy fare to softer earworms that embrace global pop trends. Last year turned up up the funk with Bite Me and (especially) Sweet Venom, but new single XO (Only If You Say Yes) smooths the groove for an airier take on understated radio pop. Not many … Continue reading
Fresh off their pre-release Burn It, FTIsland are back with the title track of their seventh (!) album. This is a band firmly in control of their sound — an established pillar in the industry. To my mind, this confidence makes the perfect excuse to experiment with new approaches, but Serious sees them delivering a … Continue reading
Though Dreamcatcher have experimented with various genres, their core rock sound has remained intact across the past seven years. Overall quality may ebb and flow depending on the track, but you pretty much know what you’re in for when you press play on a new single. Justice leverages many of their greatest strengths, offering a … Continue reading
When BADVILLAIN made their debut last month, that self-titled track captured me with its symphonic bombast. However, it quickly did a nose dive on my playlist, proving that exciting production can only take you so far when the song itself is mostly just shouty posturing. I’m (im)patiently waiting for the day a new group can … Continue reading
Nine years into their career, Twice continue to straddle the line between various music markets, frequently releasing work in Korea, Japan and internationally. New single Dive heralds their latest J-pop album, hinting at a more mature summer sound. Twice have released their share of bangers in Japan, often mirroring the soundscapes present in their Korean … Continue reading
NTX debuted all the way back in 2021, though their under-the-radar career may have passed many by. Releasing one title track per year hasn’t been a winning formula, even if much of the music has been decent. Most recently, Holy Grail tied a so-so song to a very cool instrumental. New single Problematic struggles on … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 