When it comes to Xdinary Heroes’ music, I just can’t gain a foothold. Thus far, I’ve found almost every chorus grating and gimmicky, and their punky aesthetic feels like cosplay coming from a mega-corporation like JYP Entertainment. New single Freakin’ Bad is an improvement, though the song is still unlikely to find its way on … Continue reading
Debuting boy group Xodiac have a cool name, and that’s important! But, do they have cool music to go along with it? So far, the answer is no. Throw A Dice is standard boy group fare, performed well enough but lacking any identifiable perspective of its own. The track moves through predictable segments, from its … Continue reading
It’s time to see what iKON can do on their own! Tantara is the first taste of a post-YG future for the group, released ahead of their upcoming album. They’ve always had a hand in their own production, so the continuity between this song and the last isn’t surprising. Tantara isn’t so much a reinvention … Continue reading
Though he’s often known for his more hip-hop inspired tracks, Taeyang’s Eyes, Nose, Lips stands as one of K-pop’s best and most enduring torch songs. The guy can sing the heck out of a ballad, and he’s one of the few voices that compels attention without all the bells and whistles that often surround idol … Continue reading
After six years without a new album, Taeyang is treating fans to multiple title tracks. After January’s Vibe, Shoong pairs the veteran performer with another K-pop titan. This time, it’s an in-house collaboration with BLACKPINK’s Lisa. When it comes to solo material, Taeyang often pairs himself with rappers. Bandmate G-Dragon has filled that role more … Continue reading
I already wrote about Agust D’s Haegeum in detail, so this review for follow-up Amygdala will be brief. It’s an interesting choice for promotion via music video, delving the depths of his past traumas to create a kind of tone poem. Someone in the sociology/psychology field needs to do a study on vocal effects/vocal processing … Continue reading
The title “Macarena” conjures a ton of memories for this 90’s kid. Most of them include unenthusiastic, teacher-directed dancing at school. Even as an impressionable youth, I never enjoyed the song. It always felt too much like forced fun. I can’t imagine what reference point a group like Blitzers could have for the word. The … Continue reading
Much of the news surrounding Seventeen’s FML mini album has highlighted its incredible sales. They’re breaking records left and right, standing as one of the industry’s most well-loved acts. I wouldn’t call myself a mega-fan the way I was back in 2015-17, but you can’t argue with quality. Their success has been built upon consistently … Continue reading
I can’t say I’m enamored with Xikers’ debut mini album. Most of it still sounds like ATEEZ Jr. to me (which makes sense given its producers). But, the rollicking Rockstar easily stands as the group’s strongest moment so far. I’m glad it’s being promoted with a music video and would love Xikers to harness this … 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. On Monday, we had a triple … Continue reading
I enjoyed Suga’s pre-release track People Pt.2 more than expected, but much of that was thanks to its lovely IU-sung chorus. As anticipated, the new album’s lead track boasts a harder edge. Haegeum is tailor-made for fans of BTS’s rap-focused side. First off, I love the stylized music video. I’m a sucker for cinematic mvs … Continue reading
After the slam dunk success of double a-side Tapestry/W earlier this year, I’ve been less enthused with the tracks Snow Man are promoting for their upcoming album. It’s only natural they’d want to showcase different facets of their sound, but neither last week’s Aikotoba nor yesterday’s Slow are the style of songs I love from the … Continue reading
Whenever an artist scores a top spot in my year-end countdowns, my ears are wide open for their follow-up. More often than not, I’m underwhelmed. That’s just the way these things go. Alice’s Dance On is a difficult track to improve upon, and Show Down doesn’t come close. But, it still retains the group’s upbeat … Continue reading
DRIPPIN unveiled a fruitful era last year with their multi-part Villainz project, scoring two spots in my top ten K-pop songs of 2022. Much of that was due to the involvement of production team Newtype, who continue to work with the group on new single Seven Sins. Unsurprisingly, the song is solid. But, its sound … Continue reading
It’s weird being a massive fan of a group while simultaneously wiping a segment of their discography from your mind. You’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger Golden Child supporter in the K-pop review community, yet I have no place in my music collection for the Japanese material they’ve been saddled with. Listening to a … Continue reading
Even though they’ve been around since 2019, I’ve never written about MUSTB before. On busy K-pop days, I don’t often get to the industry’s more underrated groups, but that doesn’t mean they’re incapable of releasing good music. With no expectations going in, I’m actually quite charmed by Royalty. Its piano loop and full-throated vocal performance … Continue reading
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Highlight’s Gikwang. For me, his solo career has been a mixed bag with strong title tracks and so-so albums. 2019’s Don’t Close Your Eyes (D.C.Y.E) is a personal favorite, but new single Predator gives it a run for its money. Gikwang has found his sweet spot in … Continue reading
With Can’t Stop Shining, Tempest were well on their way toward becoming my favorite boy group of this new K-pop generation. Then, Dragon happened. I came around to that song eventually, but the lack of continuity between the group’s releases gave me pause. I tend to prefer acts with a clear vision and sound rather … Continue reading
This subunit name is a mouthful, isn’t it? Rather than opt for something more streamlined (“NCT V” was right there, SM!), the powers-that-be have smashed together the names of this trio, “Brangelina” style. DOJAEJUNG unites NCT vocalists Doyoung, Jaehyun and Jungwoo. Too often, vocal-based sub-units are relegated to ballads or coffeeshop fare. But, there’s nothing … 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 anticipated, the hook of … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 