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. DAY6’s new album may not reinvent … Continue reading
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
Rather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post. I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: … Continue reading
If you read my monthly “Global Pop Round-Up” feature, you’ll know how much I like dance music. It’s rare to find a straight-up club track in K-pop these days, as idol group configurations usually require an arrangement that mixes genres and tempos. The last all-out dance track I can remember was Somi’s Fast Forward — … Continue reading
I wrote a track-by-track review of Ryugujo’s new EP a few days after it was released, and I’ve only gone on to appreciate it more since then. It feels like Ryugujo’s music takes a quantum leap forward every time they release something new. This will be a hard feat to keep up, but it’s been … Continue reading
n.SSign have promised three title tracks from their newest album, and they seem to be spreading them out. Funk Jam arrives over a month after they started promoting Happy & (a song that grew on me a lot, by the way). When I first saw the album’s track list, the combination of the words “funk” … Continue reading
During Lucy’s first two years after debut, they felt like one of the freshest acts in K-pop. Their music overflowed with ideas and hooky melodies that kept me coming back for more. Since then, they’ve settled into a reliable niceness. I’m not sure if it’s them or me, but I haven’t been able to muster … Continue reading
Last time we heard from The New Six, they were kicking it old school with the upbeat Kick It 4 Now. That track leveraged nostalgia to its advantage, melding new jack swing beats to catchy hooks. But this being K-pop, we can’t simply build on a good thing. New single Fuego offers a completely different … Continue reading
Despite their cringeworthy group name and equally cringey debut single, I respect how Young Posse are trying to do something a little different from their peers. When it comes to building credibility in the hip-hop world, last month’s Young Posse Up was a good start. But ultimately, the song was too hookless to appeal to … Continue reading
Super Junior-D&E haven’t even made their comeback yet, but it’s already embroiled in controversy. Title track GGB will not be performed on music shows after its title was deemed derogatory toward women. Honestly. I had to look up what “GGB” means before I realized that the real issue likely stems from the Korean version of … Continue reading
Purple Kiss have had a somewhat disjointed singles run so far, swerving from one sound to another in shifts that can often feel drastic. My most played song (Autopilot) isn’t a title track at all. I’d love to hear that kind of synth-powered melodic showcase promoted with videos and performances. Instead, we have the trendy, … Continue reading
I wouldn’t consider myself the biggest Travis Japan fan overall, but their single Candy Kiss was one of my favorite songs of last year. They excel when given old-school funk beats and an uncomplicated, upbeat sentiment. Someone in the agency must agree, because new single T.G.I. Friday Night feels like a natural extension of that … Continue reading
Apink’s Kim Nam Joo made her solo debut in 2020 but hasn’t released new material since then. Sticking with the monosyllabic b-word pattern of past track Bird, she’s returned with new single Bad. It’s a mix of blazing potential and crushing frustration. When it comes to girl group material this year, there’s been a persistent … Continue reading
The Boyz’ Phantasy series has seen them in top form, rattling through a variety of styles with confidence and flair. The trilogy comes to a conclusion with Love Letter, which feels a bit like an afterthought. Minimal promotion and a truncated track list give it the air of a going-through-the-motions repackage, but thankfully Nectar continues … Continue reading
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly three years since DAY6 released a new album. The aptly-titled Fourever is their first as a quartet and a welcome return for one of the most dominant idol bands of the last decade. Title track Welcome To The Show offers a suitably dramatic sound to usher in their … Continue reading
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
A J-pop act’s single 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. I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. I don’t usually post “buried treasures” for J-pop, most often because they’re not … Continue reading
The Bias List is a K-pop blog that also covers a fair amount of J-pop. But just like most music fans, I enjoy tracks from all around the world. So, I thought I’d start a monthly round-up of some of the non-K-pop songs that have caught my ear. No ratings — just highlights! February 2022 … Continue reading
The Bias List doesn’t have a recurring feature for new album reviews outside of K-pop, but my favorite acts always get extra coverage so I had to devote a special feature to J-pop group Ryugujo’s new EP. I often refer to Ryugujo as the most exciting act on the planet right now, and that excitement … Continue reading
Anyone remember short-lived boy group MASC? They had a couple of bangers, but unfortunately disbanded before they could establish much of a discography. Members Heejae and Ireah appeared on last year’s Peak Time series and have re-debuted as duo SEVENUS. The idea of a duo is highly underrated in K-pop. They all exist in the … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 