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. Oh My Girl’s album is incredibly … 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. True to NCT form, Glitch Mode … Continue reading
Warning: This recap is not spoiler-free. Proceed at your own risk! Well, I’m back. I debated whether I wanted to cover season two of Queendom. Honestly, I’ve enjoyed this franchise less and less with each season, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to invest the time and energy it takes to watch and … 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. March 2022 Overall Thoughts I’m eager to write a super effusive, super excited monthly round-up. Unfortunately, … Continue reading
It’s been an underwhelming year for debuts. I get the sense the Okay-pop industry has pulled their punches in anticipation of a major hit reshaping current trends. As we move into April, that hit may have finally arrived. On the heels of a mysterious Twitter announcement two months ago, Okay-pop provocateur Finite has finally made … Continue reading
When Kingdom debuted last year, I couldn’t help but be impressed by their ambition. Not only did they have a unique concept, but their rollout promised seven albums – each centered around the lore of a different member. Coming from a small agency, I questioned whether they’d have the resources to see this plan through. … Continue reading
New boy group YOUNITE are set to debut next month. Before that, they’ve dropped a pre-debut track to ease us into their sound. Everybody fits within Brand New Music’s hip-hop style, offering a refreshingly warm and youthful take on the genre. I haven’t been too impressed with 2022’s debuts so far, but my eyes are … Continue reading
I’d like to think NINE.i’s name is so literal that it means the members have nine eyes (five members + an eye patch?). But alas, there are ten members. That makes twenty eyes and a bit of confusion on my part. Upon further research, it looks like NINE.i (inexplicably) stands for “Everyday NEW.i.” Um. What? … Continue reading
Despite their rookie status, BAE173 haven’t released much music. We last heard from them nearly a year ago, when they delivered the anthemic Loved You. That song wasn’t perfect, but it had a classic touch and melodic though-line that made it stand out. With new single Jaws, the group has switched gears dramatically, opting for … Continue reading
Someone on Purple Kiss’s team must really want to screw with this comeback’s search engine optimization, huh? Searching for memeM (맴맴) is bound to flood your screen with Purple Kiss memes instead of music. Knowing K-pop, maybe that’s the point! Last we heard from the ladies, they delivered a quirky horror concept. Zombie stood out … Continue reading
Thus far, INI have been a frustrating prospect. In my opinion, they haven’t been dealt a decent song yet. When the group’s line-up was announced on the finale of last year’s Produce 101 Japan, I was thrilled to see how many talented vocalists made the cut. But, songs like Call 119 have opted for far … Continue reading
Majors’ agency is banking on an interesting promotional approach. Rather than put all their eggs in one basket, the group’s comebacks have delivered dual title tracks – each inspired by a different genre. They’ve cast their net wide, which has some advantages. For example, I’m more inclined toward the EDM of Giddy Up than the … Continue reading
In a girl group landscape filled with bombastic beats and shouty sing-talk, Oh My Girl are a welcome outlier. Their career is filled with quirky highlights, harnessing memorable hooks to craft a sound that moves from ethereal to whimsical and back again. Increased popularity has stolen a bit of this unique identity, but with peers … Continue reading
At this point, I’ve given up on NCT’s title tracks delivering anything beyond the same ‘shout over bass-heavy distortion’ schtick. So, I’ll temper my thoughts with this in mind. Comparing a song like Glitch Mode (버퍼링) to My First And Last, Superhuman or Highway To Heaven is useless. They’re not even trying to do the … Continue reading
When it rains, it pours – and Red Velvet fans are feasting on new music this month. Not only did the group make a long-awaited comeback last week, but their first full Japanese album also looms on the horizon. Before we get there, the ladies have revealed new J-pop single Wildside. SM artists have a … Continue reading
I’ve listed my “top tens” for many artists, but it’s time to rummage through entire discographies and rank every single from worst to best. This feature will primarily tackle groups who have disbanded or gone on indefinite hiatus. It’s a way for me to re-evaluate my initial thoughts on their singles run. Don’t be surprised … Continue reading
The Bias List is a K-pop blog that also covers a fair amount of J-pop. But along with 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
After their debut in 2018, D-Crunch have reliably delivered one comeback per year. No more, no less. This makes it challenging to gain a foothold or a fanbase, but I admire their consistency. Their title tracks have all been solid, though none has enjoyed a long reign on my own playlist. New song Addiction (중독) … Continue reading
A week after its release, I’m feeling pretty ambivalent about Stray Kids’ Maniac. Like many recent tracks, its plusses and minuses cancel each other out and result in music that’s perfectly… fine. This indifferent impression carries through the entire mini album. The songs are generally okay, but there’s nothing pulling me back for repeat listens … Continue reading
After debuting with a steady (and fun!) sound, VERIVERY’s music became more hit and miss. Fortunately, their last single Trigger was a big hit for me. Alongside an all-killer, no-filler mini album, their edgy electro reinvention had me ready to board the VERIVERY train once more. New single ‘O’ marks another sonic shift, but its … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 