In between comebacks, A.C.E have often released special singles of various genres. Most of these songs feel more like appetizers than full courses, allowing the group to dabble in different music markets with English-language performances. Supernatural arrives in an English and Korean version. I’ll be linking the Korean version because whenever given the chance that’s … Continue reading
On the heels of fellow EXO members D.O. and Chen, Suho has just released his newest solo album. This was preceded by Cheese, featuring fellow SM artist Wendy. That track, and new single 1 to 3 (점선면), borrow heavily from 70’s rock influences. While Cheese‘s influences felt more interesting that the song itself, 1 to … Continue reading
ARTMS have spent the past two months unveiling track after track from their debut album. To fully enjoy these pre-releases, it’s often felt like a doctorate in post-LOONA lore has been necessary. Most relied more on worldbuilding than nuts-and-bolts, satisfying song construction. But with Virtual Angel, ARTMS may finally have opened their world to the … Continue reading
There are a number of K-pop groups from the class of 2018-19 that I’ve fallen out with musically. ATEEZ and Stray kids immediately come to mind, with ITZY and TXT also losing some luster from their peak. Taking a look at my year-end countdown from 2019 depicts an alternate universe where these groups’ music ruled … Continue reading
Though I should know better by now, I’m still surprised at how well BABYMONSTER’s Sheesh has done on the charts — especially given its lukewarm-to-awful reception in many critical circles. This is a good reminder of the sway YG Entertainment still holds over fans, along with the broader fact that disgruntled internet chatter is rarely … Continue reading
As a casual observer, it can be difficult to remember where all the LOONA members ended up after the group’s dissolution. Some became Loossemble while others formed ARTMS. Yves joined neither, though she did have a hand in song composition for Loossemble. Instead, she’s embarked on her own with a new label and new sound. … Continue reading
I don’t always cover Jay Park’s releases on the blog since he’s long since shed the guise of “idol performer,” but it’s worth noting new single Taxi Blurr simply because of its feature. Girl group Kiss Of Life are rapidly gaining popularity, and member Natty has already proven herself a compelling soloist. Taxi Blurr rides … Continue reading
EXO’s soloists each have their own distinct sound, and Chen has become the group’s reliable balladeer. He has the voice to match, and his music scratches a certain sentimental itch that has made it a fan favorite. However, it takes a whole lot for a ballad to stand out on my playlist. When I love … Continue reading
Treasure attempted a reboot last summer but title track Bona Bona still hinged on many YG Entertainment tropes. The album itself was much more varied and pointed toward a sleek, nostalgic sound that worked well for the group. New single King Kong promises another reinvention and its sound nudges a bit closer to realizing that … Continue reading
Three and a half years since their debut, aespa have finally released their first full length album. Armageddon is led by two title tracks, the first of which has already become a major hit. Supernova embraced the K-pop maximalism of years past, making many wonder if Armageddon would follow suit. Instead, this track pulls back … Continue reading
I don’t really take music videos or imagery into account when writing reviews on The Bias List, but when all is said and done I’ll likely remember this era of RM’s career more for the videos than the music. The one for new single LOST! is particularly evocative — quirky, surreal and suitably claustrophobic. Whether … Continue reading
It’s been a fraught month for HYBE, with NewJeans unwittingly stuck at the center of their controversies. Very little of this drama has anything to do with the group themselves and everything to do with the chaos swirling around them, but with a seeming cold war brewing between the NewJeans and ILLIT camps regarding plagiarism … Continue reading
Alongside their full-group comeback Maestro, Seventeen’s specialized units are also releasing music videos for their new songs. We’ve already heard from the Hip-Hop and Performance Teams, and now it’s time for the Vocal Team to bring this series to a finale. Sub-unit Seventeen BSS found tremendous success with a cheering song last year, and Cheers … Continue reading
When JD1 made his debut as a K-pop idol in January, I never realized how young he was. It wasn’t until I watched him on the TVXQ episode of Immortal Songs that I learned this guy is only seventeen years old (sixteen at the time!). Perhaps this would have been more obvious if he had … Continue reading
Ex-(G)I-DLE member Soojin made her solo debut late last year with AGASSY — a song high on atmosphere and low on substance. That description could match many K-pop tracks of the last two years or so, and new single Mona Lisa also fits within this realm. Everything about this song feels like a means to … Continue reading
The best thing a rookie K-pop group can do is develop their own sound that establishes them as a vital part of the industry. Just B have slowly been doing that, moving to rock influences to give their music an identifiable style. New English-language single Daddy’s Girl capitalizes on that approach. The first time I … Continue reading
While other groups are turning to Y2K influences for sound and aesthetic, ONEUS have gone right back to the source with a cover of Fin.K.L’s 2000 track Now. Straight-up covers are unusual in K-pop — especially as title tracks — and rather than bend the song to their own will ONEUS have delivered a pretty … Continue reading
Debuting in 2020, MCND have developed a consistently playful sound. But without a breakout hit, the group has struggled to sell as well as many of their peers. It’s important to forge a signature style, but I wonder if it’s time to try something different. New single X10 echoes many of the same elements of … Continue reading
The J-pop industry is slowly beginning to reach out to international markets, most often with the assistance of K-pop agencies and corporations. XG are one of the most notable avatars of this approach. Yes, they’re an Avex-managed group, but they’re based in South Korea and have been part of global events like KCON. Like many … Continue reading
The members of EXO are busy this month, as leader Suho follows D.O. with his own solo release. As has become common lately, he’s kicking off promotions with a pre-release track. Cheese keeps things in the SM family, enlisting Red Velvet’s Wendy for guest vocals. This frothy pop-rock track feels as if it would be … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 