Debuting in 2019, Exile Tribe’s Battle Of Tokyo is one of the coolest projects developed by any entertainment company. It brings together the agency’s Jr.Exile groups under fictional guises in a futuristic battle royale. It’s a multimedia project, including videos, books and — of course — music. This week, the third chapter in the series … Continue reading
Category Archives: Review
Song Review: Misamo (Twice) – Do Not Touch
For years now, many fans have been asking for a more “mature” concept from Twice. The use of that word “mature” always gives me pause. Who decided that slower, darker songs are automatically “mature”? I’d venture to say I’m older (maybe not more mature, though!) than the majority of K-pop fans. However, I still prefer … Continue reading
EXO Exist: In-Depth Album Review – Love Fool
EXO are one of my “K-pop A-Z” artists, and that means I’ve committed to write about anything they release in perpetuity. So, here are my thoughts about every track from their new Exist album! 1. Cream Soda // 2. Regret It // 3. Hear Me Out // 4. Private Party // 5. Cinderella // 6. … Continue reading
Song Review: IVE – I Want
Look, it’s been a rough year for K-pop tunes. I’ll take a banger wherever I can find one, and if that means approaching some glorified Pepsi jingle with great anticipation, so be it. Of course, I Want is no ordinary Pepsi jingle. We have IVE onboard for this one, and their upbeat, melodic music has … Continue reading
EXO Exist: In-Depth Album Review – No Makeup
EXO are one of my “K-pop A-Z” artists, and that means I’ve committed to write about anything they release in perpetuity. So, here are my thoughts about every track from their new Exist album! 1. Cream Soda // 2. Regret It // 3. Hear Me Out // 4. Private Party // 5. Cinderella // 6. … Continue reading
EXO Exist: In-Depth Album Review – Cinderella
EXO are one of my “K-pop A-Z” artists, and that means I’ve committed to write about anything they release in perpetuity. So, here are my thoughts about every track from their new Exist album! 1. Cream Soda // 2. Regret It // 3. Hear Me Out // 4. Private Party // 5. Cinderella // 6. … Continue reading
Song Review: Ballistik Boyz – Jiggy Paradise (Battle Of Tokyo)
Debuting in 2019, Exile Tribe’s Battle Of Tokyo is one of the coolest projects developed by any entertainment company. It brings together the agency’s Jr.Exile groups under fictional guises in a futuristic battle royale. It’s a multimedia project, including videos, books and — of course — music. This week, the third chapter in the series … Continue reading
Song Review: Koyote – Wish
Co-ed dance group Koyote are holding it down for K-pop’s 90’s class, continuing to deliver comebacks decades into their career. Their music knows exactly what it wants to accomplish, and new single Wish (바람) is another fun burst of energy. I can’t say I’m always in the mood for a Koyote banger, but the group … Continue reading
Song Review: Hyolyn – This Love (ft. Paul Blanco)
Three out of four members of Sistar are making comebacks this summer, leading fans like me to long for the summer bops of yore. Nobody did summer better than Sistar, and it’s impossible for solo releases to fully recapture this magic. With This Love (이게 사랑이지 뭐야), Hyolyn takes a slightly more subdued path toward … Continue reading
Song Review: Sandara Park – Festival
During this summer of second-gen comebacks, 2NE1’s Sandara Park fits right in. She’s released solo material before, but never a Korean album. (She did record a mini album in the Philippines before debut, though!) New single Festival sees her aiming toward summer sounds, building its chorus around an interpolation of Uhm Jung Hwa’s hit of … Continue reading
EXO Exist: In-Depth Album Review – Private Party
EXO are one of my “K-pop A-Z” artists, and that means I’ve committed to write about anything they release in perpetuity. So, here are my thoughts about every track from their new Exist album! 1. Cream Soda // 2. Regret It // 3. Hear Me Out // 4. Private Party // 5. Cinderella // 6. … Continue reading
EXO Exist: In-Depth Album Review – Regret It
EXO are one of my “K-pop A-Z” artists, and that means I’ve committed to write about anything they release in perpetuity. So, here are my thoughts about every track from their new Exist album! 1. Cream Soda // 2. Regret It // 3. Hear Me Out // 4. Private Party // 5. Cinderella // 6. … Continue reading
Song Review: Fantastics – Black Magic (Battle Of Tokyo)
Debuting in 2019, Exile Tribe’s Battle Of Tokyo is one of the coolest projects developed by any entertainment company. It brings together the agency’s Jr.Exile groups under fictional guises in a futuristic battle royale. It’s a multimedia project, including videos, books and — of course — music. This week, the third chapter in the series … Continue reading
Song Review: &TEAM – Road Not Taken
It feels like &TEAM have promoted recent single Firework more frequently on Korean broadcasts than in their native Japan, making the whole ‘Korean-agency-debuts-Jpop-act’ approach even more nebulous. Thus far, &TEAM’s output has basically been K-pop performed in Japanese — a trend many agencies are attempting to replicate. My thoughts on this aside, Firework is a … Continue reading
Song Review: ENHYPEN – One And Only
ENHYPEN’s One And Only is a collaboration with Pokémon, though the song’s line distribution ensures we never get to hear Pikachu’s beautiful falsetto. Instead, the colorful pocket monsters appear in the music video. Without those added visuals, One And Only is a pleasant summer bop — airy and mid-tempo. ENHYPEN have a few tracks like … Continue reading
Song Review: Odd Eye Circle – Air Force One
I can hardly keep up with all the twists and turns in the LOONA story, but I know one thing for sure: after nearly six years’ hiatus, Odd Eye Circle are back with new Korean music. Their work represented some of LOONA’s early peaks, offering an edgier take on K-pop’s girl group fare. After signing … Continue reading
Song Review: NMIXX – Party O’Clock
NMIXX were smart to pre-release Roller Coaster last week. That song takes some time to get under your skin, but it’s blossomed into a subdued summer hit for me. Title track Party O’Clock plays within similar sonic territory. It’s far less successful in its execution. The name “Party O’Clock” conjures ideas of massive EDM drops … Continue reading
Song Review: The Rampage – Justice Is Blind (Battle Of Tokyo)
Debuting in 2019, Exile Tribe’s Battle Of Tokyo is one of the coolest projects developed by any entertainment company. It brings together the agency’s Jr.Exile groups under fictional guises in a futuristic battle royale. It’s a multimedia project, including videos, books and — of course — music. This week, the third chapter in the series … Continue reading
Song Review: ZEROBASEONE – In Bloom
It’s a big day for K-pop boy groups, with one veteran act returning after a long hiatus and the year’s most anticipate rookie making their debut. ZEROBASEONE were brought together through MNET’s audition program Boys Planet, which I chronicled on this blog back when it aired. Though I was pleased with the final line-up for … Continue reading
Song Review: EXO – Cream Soda
I’ll always have a soft spot for EXO. They were one of my gateways into K-pop, way back when they made their debut eleven years ago. It’s been a rocky ride the past few years, with member enlistments and other roadblocks preventing the group from making their yearly comeback. Instead, fans have waited two years … Continue reading