When we last saw CIX, they were mired in an angsty music video with surprisingly dark subject matter. Save Me, Kill Me‘s sound was a far cry from my favorite CIX track: 2021’s jubilant Cinema. New single Lovers Or Enemies splits the difference, melding edgier ideas to a funky synth palette. Though the song is … Continue reading
We’ve reached the end of ATEEZ’s sub-unit/solo music video releases with Jongho’s Everything. Out of all the members, I’m most curious to hear what Jongho can do on his own. As the group’s main vocal, he’s in charge of the stirring power notes that help make their music so dramatic. In a perfect world, Everything … Continue reading
It’s been nearly three years since IU released an album, but comeback season is upon us once again in 2024. This kicks off with pre-release ballad Love Wins All. The song’s video has already received buzz thanks to the participation of BTS’s V. But taken on its own, Love Wins All is the kind of … Continue reading
New WJSN music may be a distant memory, but today marks the solo debut of one of its members. Seola has been involved with many sub-unit projects and recorded a couple OSTs on her own. She’s also done a lot of acting, raising her profile. A solo career in music makes sense and with any … Continue reading
Super Junior-L.S.S. made their debut last summer with the fun Close The Shutter. They’re the sixth Super Junior sub-unit, consisting of members Leeteuk, Shindong and Siwon. Beyond the unique configuration of members, I’m not sure if L.S.S. have a specific musical goal different from Super Junior itself, but thus far their songs have veered toward … Continue reading
Up to this point, I’ve found AB6IX’s (surprisingly large) discography quite workmanlike. Their music is often good, but always on the generic side without much in the way of unique personality or perspective. It doesn’t help that they flit between genres very often, meaning you never know what you’ll get when a new comeback rolls … Continue reading
While fellow Boys Planet alum ZEROBASEONE opted for a lighter sound, EVNNE debuted with the edgier beats of Trouble. That song didn’t do much for me, though I appreciated its energy. Ugly faces a similar dilemma. Its thumping beat is incredibly addictive, but the composers have neglected to form much of a song around it. … Continue reading
January has already been stuffed with debuts, but TWS are surely the most hyped of all. They’re Pledis Entertainment’s first new boy group since Seventeen, buoyed by a similar brightness they’re calling “boyhood pop.” Pre-release Oh Mymy: 7s was a promising taste of this sound, though it was undercut by a threadbare chorus. Debut single … Continue reading
It’s become more common than not for marquee K-pop acts to pre-release material before unveiling their title track. At best, this allows for more left-field songs to gain attention, broadening the sound and texture of an artist’s discography. At worst, it waters down the power of a flawless, all-killer-no-filler singles run. Wife will be the … 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. I seemed to be less enthralled … Continue reading
English-language songs and Western artist collaborations are commonplace in today’s K-pop market, but this feels like one of the industry’s more random products. IVE have teamed up with American rapper Saweetie for a cover of Swedish duo Icona Pop’s 2013 hit All Night. Here’s the thing… I would love if K-pop’s girl groups started making … Continue reading
The Boyz have gone all-out for the promotion of their newest album. Rat In The Trap is the third music video taken from the project, which makes me wish they would have done the same for the superior Christmas In August last summer. However, they’ve chosen the right tracks to highlight. Extra promo for Sunwoo … Continue reading
Sometimes a new release is perfectly timed to capture the mood of the day. Genic’s Sayonara no wake has been available since last month, but the music video for this winter ballad dropped today. It just so happened to correspond with a major snowstorm hitting my little corner of the world, perfectly complimenting the quiet … Continue reading
DXMON (pre)debuted earlier this month with cool hairstyles but a song that echoed many of K-pop’s familiar shouty boy group tropes. I had my fingers crossed they’d have something new up their sleeves for their official debut track, but although Spark brings the intensity down a bit it suffers from many of the same issues … Continue reading
ATEEZ’s weekly sub-unit music videos continue with Yunho and Mingi’s Youth. Thus far, the tracks have mainly played within the group’s usual sonic territory, but Youth lowers the energy to craft a wispy, occasionally jazzy, mid-tempo. This sound isn’t what I’d expect from Yunho or Mingi, and that alone adds a spike of interest. I … Continue reading
Pentagon’s Hui enters his solo career with the wind at his back, boosted by prominent Boys Planet promotion last year. He’s the rare idol soloist who can confidently compose his own material, though I’ve felt he often gives his best songs to other acts. Hmm Bop sees him taking on a boisterous funk personality, and … Continue reading
We’ve seen many long-awaited comebacks come to fruition lately, but Sistar19 has them all beat. It’s been a staggering eleven years since the duo last released music. That’s longer than some K-pop fans may have been alive! And with these two gracing our screens once more, we’re that much closer to a full Sistar reunion. … Continue reading
One Love One Heart’s second album releases tomorrow and I’m very excited. Their first was my favorite J-pop album of 2023, establishing a clear style for this ambitious mixed-gender group. Though the ultra-catchy Fireworks leapfrogged into my top ten singles list, I like One Love One Heart’s music best when it blends their voices to … Continue reading
tripleS’s various sub-units have blitzed through several styles while maintaining the same general vibe. Now it’s time for a unit focused on balladry. It is the winter season, after all! Korea loves nothing more than a ballad during the cold winter months. tripleS Aria are happy to oblige, delivering the pretty — but dull — … Continue reading
Yena’s last comeback stirred up some controversy thanks to its ill-conceived title, but the song itself found her sticking to her mid-00’s pop/rock sound. I’ve got to give her kudos for finding a lane and staying with it. It’s refreshing to know what to expect from her music and helps build a cohesive catalog. New … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 