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. Most of Taeyang’s new album feels … Continue reading
Before discussing this song, I must mention how much I love the title “Already Go Ready.” It’s the kind of beautiful nonsense no one actually says in real life. It sounds like the catchphrase of some fantastic teen sitcom. Unfortunately, the song itself doesn’t quite live up to this excitement. Already Go Ready (얼레리꼴레리) has … Continue reading
It can be tempting to treat pre-releases as extraneous, but some of my favorite ONEUS songs have been those released without full title track promotion. I’m thinking specifically of 2021’s Life Is Beautiful. Unforgettable (잇다 있다 잊었다) doesn’t scale those same heights, but its buoyant production and satisfying melodies work well. Based on the promo … Continue reading
EPEX have cobbled together a colorful discography over the past few years. I never know what we’re going to get from them and my reactions to their music have been polarized. With a sound that’s constantly in flux, it’s hard to maintain an enduring interest in the group. Sunshower (여우가 시집가는 날) is another shift … Continue reading
It’s been a long wait between February’s pre-release Abyss and this new Woodz album. His albums have become increasingly rock-focused, unveiling an artist with a unique vision. He rarely promotes the strongest material as title tracks, so I’m eager to dive into the b-sides. I’m quite surprised Journey was chosen as the single this time … Continue reading
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 wasn’t going to recap Boys Planet (and technically, I’m still not doing it), but I’m watching the series and thought others might appreciate a spot to discuss it. So, each week I plan on dumping a few of my random thoughts about the show. Again, this will not be a full, detailed recap. But, … 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
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
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
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
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 