1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity SWEET MISERY I’ve seen Sweet Misery mentioned as many listeners’ favorite track on the album, and I understand where they’re coming from. It’s … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity LIKE IT There are a few vibes (or if I’m being more cynical, “templates”) I tend to love when it comes to SHINee. … Continue reading
Every year around this time, a handful of idol groups release summer-themed albums. I look forward to these projects, as their bright, upbeat sounds tend to match my taste. WEi are the latest to embrace the season, unveiling the buoyant Overdrive (질주) to promote their sixth mini album. I should absolutely love this track. It … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity IDENTITY Five tracks into Hard, and Identity is where the album feels like it finally kicks in. Up until now, we’ve had a … Continue reading
NiziU’s second album is scheduled for release in mid-July, but its lead single has been unveiled early. Coconut is NiziU’s bid for a summer hit and contains many of the elements we associate with the season. I’ve had a hard time embracing NiziU’s music. Apart from the occasional standout, I find it too closely-aligned to … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity SATELLITE At this point, the album is slowly gaining steam. Similar to 10X, Satellite would have benefitted from a later placement in the … Continue reading
I’m following the reunion of Infinite with the eyes of a hawk. They’re my all-time favorite K-pop group, after all. It doesn’t seem that we’ll be getting any new music for the next few months, but I hold out hope the guys will make their looooong awaited comeback before the year’s end. Until then, leader … Continue reading
I’m writing about a new U-KISS track in the year 2023! I can hardly believe it, but this year is shaping up to be a gauntlet of long-awaited second-gen comebacks. U-KISS have endured many line-up changes, and this current iteration reunites six fan favorites. And rather than lean into current K-pop trends, the guys have … Continue reading
Ahead of a promised full-group comeback, Treasure have unveiled their first sub-unit. T5 is apparently composed of the five members who claimed themselves the most handsome in the group. Hey, at least they’re being honest about their intentions! Whatever the case, Move throws down a great groove that raises expectations for how Treasure’s upcoming “Reboot” … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity 10X This is quite a shift from the album’s first two tracks. Running order is a real issue on Hard, and 10X would … Continue reading
1. Hard // 2. Juice // 3. 10X // 4. Satellite // 5. Identity // 6. The Feeling // 7. Like It // 8. Sweet Misery // 9. Insomnia // 10. Gravity JUICE Apparently, this is the song SM fought for as the album’s title track. And if we’re purely deciding between Juice and Hard … Continue reading
Debut group Kiss Of Life spent last week unveiling its members, one solo release at a time. The quality of these solos was generally high, increasing expectations for how the four would sound as a complete group. Bye My Neverland (안녕,네버랜드) is the first answer to that question, but the song fizzles more than it … Continue reading
It’s been a few years since we’ve heard from Han Seungwoo. After completing his military service, the soloist is back with the smooth R&B flavor of Dive Into. It’s a bump in energy from 2021’s sentimental See You Again, taking him back to the sounds of his debut mini album. While Dive Into is pleasant … Continue reading
Days after pre-releasing Wicked Love, Yena has made her official comeback with Hate Rodrigo. The title of this song has stirred plenty of online chatter. Is she dissing Olivia Rodrigo? Is this a loving reference? Did Olivia herself have a hand in it? I have to give it to Yena’s team. They know how to … Continue reading
With Kings of K-pop SHINee making their long-awaited return today, rookie group 8TURN’s new title track may fly under the radar. But against all odds, they’ve actually released the stronger of today’s singles. I wasn’t completely sold on their debut, but the rock crunch of Excel is a lot of fun. I’m not sure there’s … Continue reading
SHINee’s The Feeling has blossomed into an early summer highlight, buoyed by the group’s heavenly vocal blend and the song’s driving energy. I’m very thankful for its existence, and will be positioning it as the official title track in the blissful (deluded?) alternate reality I’ve constructed around SHINee’s new album. Unfortunately, the album’s actual title … Continue reading
“Hi-Fi Un!corn” is now my favorite group name of 2023. Coupled with the Lisa Frank-esque visuals of this music video, I feel like I’ve entered a retro fantasy land of Care Bears and My Little Pony. It’s definitely not what I would’ve expected from a new FNC Entertainment band. Visuals aside, Hi-Fi Un!corn debuts within … Continue reading
Before making her official comeback next week, Yena has pre-released the album’s final track Wicked Love alongside a dance-heavy music video. The song is a hard swerve from the bubbly pop that’s characterized most of her solo discography so far. I’ll never complain about getting extra material, but Wicked Love doesn’t excite me about 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. As I feared, ATEEZ’s Bouncy is … Continue reading
The full title of this song review looks like a mathematical equation, revealing the complicated nature of the sprawling tripleS project. Touch+ is a b-side track from sub-unit +(KR)ystal Eyes, featuring member Sohyun who will be part of upcoming sub-unit LOVElution. Make sense? All these parentheses and plus signs belie the fact that Touch+ is … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 