K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
Prior to the release of their new album this month, CRAVITY have shared the summery mid-tempo Cheese. That title conjures all sorts of… well… cheesy ideas in my mind, but the track itself is rather subdued. It’s certainly not among their strongest material, but the vibe is nice. I’ll echo a frequent Bias List critique … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I look back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists. I take my own ratings into account, but there’s a bit of wiggle room as certain songs tend to grow or fade. August 2023 Overall Thoughts For the first time this year, I could have easily filled a … Continue reading
Generic as it may be, I still love Jeon Somi’s Fast Forward. It’s fun to hear club music infiltrate K-pop and she makes a convincing dance diva. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is grab bag of genres — some more fitting than others. This is evidenced by opening track — and follow-up single — … Continue reading
I’m not always a huge fan of K-pop covers, but Baekho chose the perfect song in Elevator. The original 1995 Park Jinyoung classic was a staple of the 90’s, yet it never had an official music video and the song’s production is ripe for an update. As influential as this evergreen hit is, you don’t … Continue reading
H1-KEY have developed a nice niche of classic-sounding, melodic K-pop. Their songs play like comfort food, but they’re anchored by a robust set of vocals and detailed production. Seoul (Such A Beautiful City) continues this streak, even if much of it feels like a tourism CF. But really, doesn’t all K-pop exist as subconscious advertisement … Continue reading
Most Japanese releases from K-pop acts don’t really attempt to engage with the Japanese market beyond a surface level, making it exciting when we get an international duet or track written by J-pop talent. Stray Kids’ Social Path pairs the group with theme-song-queen and overall epic rocker LiSA. Social Path feels like a nod back … Continue reading
ONEWE have taken an interesting approach to military enlistment, continuing to release music no matter how many (or few) members are left in their group at any moment. Salty Boy is a project track between Dongmyeong, Giuk and Harin — one half of a special single album that gives these guys some room to stretch … Continue reading
As we tiptoe toward September, Cignature are back to offer their take on a summer song. Smooth Sailing (안녕, 인사해) is bright and insistent, delivering a smooth shot of brassy pop uplift. This group has had many guises thus far, but this ebullient energy fits them well. It’s at once nostalgic and on trend, concerned … 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. Vanner’s Veni Vidi Vici is the … Continue reading
After teasing us with last week’s Golden Age, NCT are back with their project album of the same name. This album brings together the entire troupe — from Dream to 127 to WayV — for a celebration of all things NCT. I imagine this means we’re in for a lot of chanting. If Baggy Jeans … 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
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. It’s a good time for Lucy … Continue reading
Isn’t it kind of cruel to release a song called “Let It Be Summer” just as we’re entering the last few weeks of summer? I mean, you don’t have to rub it in, Young K! This is a pre-release track from Young K’s upcoming full album. It’s a straightforward rocker, moving forward on pummeling guitar … Continue reading
I love a cool collaboration, and producer KERENMI has delivered with new single Adult. The track brings together Avu-chan from Queen Bee (the coolest J-pop artist of the moment, btw) and BE:FIRST’s youngest member — and self-professed fan — Ryuhei. I don’t know much about BE:FIRST beyond their music, but Ryuhei has already shown eclectic … Continue reading
Secret Number have averaged two comebacks a year, displaying a sonic versatility that makes their music hard to pin down. Not all of these songs have been equally successful, but I’m always curious to see what they’ll do next. New single Starlight gives them a spacey, synthy makeover. When this video first started, I thought … Continue reading
Despite my negative reaction to pre-release Koong, I’ve been playing Xikers’ new album quite often. Title track Do Or Die is fantastic, and songs like Run and Sunny Side are surprisingly groovy. Homeboy‘s hazy, downbeat sound is a surprising choice for follow-up single, but the song has grown on me with time. Homeboy‘s verses utilize … Continue reading
“Pre-debut” releases are quite confusing, but I guess it’s a nice way to introduce your group without the pressure of official debut promotions. The members of TIOT will be familiar to viewers of Boys Planet, and their song Unbeatable (백전무패) will be familiar to much older K-pop fans. It’s a cover of the 2001 track … Continue reading
For her second mini album, ex-GFriend member Yerin has gone down a trendy synthpop route. Despite being leveraged by every idol act imaginable, this sound still holds appeal to me. Its nostalgic vibe works especially well for soloists, letting classic melodies and chugging beats take center stage. Unfortunately, Bambambam (밤밤밤) feels like an amateur version … Continue reading
