“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
Well, it was bound to happen eventually. Up until now, Kiss Of Life’s solo song rollout has been remarkably consistent, delivering slick tracks with fun references to different eras of pop music. But this being K-pop in 2023, we weren’t going to escape without some lame nursery rhyme interpolation. Haneul’s Play Love Games heavily weaves … Continue reading
LUN8’s debut mini album is pretty strong, but opening track Voyager sticks out like a sore thumb. Not only is it my least favorite song, but it sounds like it’s pulled from a completely different project than the rest of the material. I’m curious why Fantagio decided to promote it with a music video. Despite … Continue reading
It’s amazing what can be accomplished when the shackles of a big agency like YG Entertainment are thrown away. In just a couple of months, iKON members have released a full album and solo tracks/features. This is lovely to see, especially with so many years of infrequent comebacks. Lead vocalist Jay (also known as Jinhwan) … Continue reading
One of these days, Lapillus are going to release a great song that’s worthy of them. Today is not that day. It’s almost as if this group’s music has been engineered in a lab as a Bias List repellant. I haven’t enjoyed anything they’ve put out, and Who’s Next proudly continues that trend. The song … Continue reading
It’s day three of Kiss Of Life’s pre-debut advent calendar of solo videos, and today we’re introduced to the group’s leader and rapper Julie. Kitty Cat offers a more hip-hop flavored taste of their sound while sitting comfortably alongside the past two tracks. It’s becoming very clear that Kiss Of Life’s work will be well-produced. … Continue reading
Kim Jaehwan’s finally gone and done it. He’s promoting a funk song! Ever since 2019’s excellent Designer, I’ve been on his case about releasing more upbeat material. Yes, big voices are well-suited to ballads — but there is nothing better than a skilled, powerful singer flexing their skills over an equally powerful dance beat. Lucky! … Continue reading
New girl group Kiss Of Life are pulling a Loona-style rollout, revealing solo tracks from each member before the group’s title track emerges. However, they seem to be stuffing this rollout into a single week. I’ll try to write about each song, though the reviews will likely be on the shorter side. Yesterday, Natty impressed … Continue reading
While fans wait impatiently for a Korean comeback (it’s going on four-and-a-half years, now…), TVXQ are back with another Japanese single. Lime & Lemon adds to their summertime playlist, offering a shot of uptempo dance music well-suited for the season. This will always be a style that appeals to me, but it’s become its own … Continue reading
Kang Daniel’s newest album comes paired with striking Mad Max-esque visuals. SOS‘s music video is very cool, delivering high octane action even as the song trudges away underneath. Its sound continues in the vein of past singles — an alt rock/trap hybrid that feels emotional and gritty. This has become a preferred style for Kang … Continue reading
SM Entertainment has been into their pre-releases lately, teasing anticipated albums with a full song weeks before the rest of the tracks are set to drop. Following SHINee and EXO, NCT Dream are the next group to give us a taste of their new sound. And though Broken Melodies may not reinvent any wheel, it’s … Continue reading
Girl group Kiss Of Life has yet to debut, but we’re already familiar with Natty from her solo work. She released a couple of solid singles back in 2020 before cutting her solo career short. It seems fitting, then, that this new group’s rollout begins with another solo track. Sugarcoat captures my 90’s r&b heart. … Continue reading
GreatGuys’ new music video opens in a roller rink, so you know my interest is already piqued! I love a bright boy group track that’s roller-rink-ready, and Luv Luv Luv fits that template to a tee. It’s driven by tropical synth squiggles and a dance beat that (mostly) stays focused and steady. However, this is … 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. Nothing on Ren’s debut mini album … Continue reading
My trajectory with ATEEZ has been a bit of a mystery. Back in 2019, I found them to be one of the most exciting acts in K-pop. But as the years have gone on, it’s been harder to retain the same level of excitement around their music. I’m not sure why this is. Their core … Continue reading
Twice’s first promoted sub-unit Misamo debuts not with a Korean release, but a J-pop song. This is a little surprising, especially since the mellow Marshmallow seems suited to Korean tastes. But when you realize who’s involved in this unit, the decision couldn’t be clearer. Misamo gives the group’s three Japanese members a chance to shine … Continue reading
LUN8 are Fantagio Entertainment’s first new group since Weki Meki in 2017, succeeding Astro as the agency’s second boy band. Astro’s debut year will always be a sterling example of a new group debuting with their own sound and musical perspective. LUN8 have a big legacy to live up to, and Wild Heart shows potential. … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 