A K-pop group’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. ONF’s new album is really strong, … Continue reading
SHINee DON’T CALL ME: In-Depth Album Review – Body Rhythm
Enough of you asked for it, and who am I to deny? It’s time to dive deep into SHINee’s long-awaited comeback album Don’t Call Me, track-by-track. 1. Don’t Call Me // 2. Heart Attack // 3. Marry You // 4. CØDE // 5. I Really Want You // 6. Kiss Kiss // 7. Body Rhythm … Continue reading
The 90’s J-Pop Roadmap: m.o.v.e – Rage Your Dream
If you were to map my musical DNA, a sizable portion would be indebted to 90’s J-pop. To me, this is a truly magical time in music, but it’s rarely discussed or shared outside of Japan. Being an aficionado of certain sounds within this era, I’ve tracked down hundreds of highlights over the years. And … Continue reading
SHINee DON’T CALL ME: In-Depth Album Review – Kiss Kiss
Enough of you asked for it, and who am I to deny? It’s time to dive deep into SHINee’s long-awaited comeback album Don’t Call Me, track-by-track. 1. Don’t Call Me // 2. Heart Attack // 3. Marry You // 4. CØDE // 5. I Really Want You // 6. Kiss Kiss // 7. Body Rhythm … Continue reading
The 90’s J-Pop Roadmap: B’z – Love Phantom
If you were to map my musical DNA, a sizable portion would be indebted to 90’s J-pop. To me, this is a truly magical time in music, but it’s rarely discussed or shared outside of Japan. Being an aficionado of certain sounds within this era, I’ve tracked down hundreds of highlights over the years. And … Continue reading
Song Review: Wonho – Lose
When Wonho made his solo debut last September, I had no idea what to expect. But with Open Mind, he set off on a synth-driven sound that fit him like a glove, while capitalized on K-pop’s burgeoning trends. It was released only days before Taemin’s Criminal, and the two songs have always been tied together … Continue reading
Song Review: Kis-My-Ft2 – Luv Bias
Despite being one of my favorite Johnny’s acts, I haven’t really loved any of Kis-My-Ft2’s promoted tracks since 2019’s Edge Of Days. I often cite the group’s 2016-18 run as some of my favorite material Johnny’s has ever churned out, and I long for the guys to return with that kind of focus. With that … Continue reading
SHINee DON’T CALL ME: In-Depth Album Review – I Really Want You
Enough of you asked for it, and who am I to deny? It’s time to dive deep into SHINee’s long-awaited comeback album Don’t Call Me, track-by-track. 1. Don’t Call Me // 2. Heart Attack // 3. Marry You // 4. CØDE // 5. I Really Want You // 6. Kiss Kiss // 7. Body Rhythm … Continue reading
The 90’s J-Pop Roadmap: Favorite Blue – True Gate
If you were to map my musical DNA, a sizable portion would be indebted to 90’s J-pop. To me, this is a truly magical time in music, but it’s rarely discussed or shared outside of Japan. Being an aficionado of certain sounds within this era, I’ve tracked down hundreds of highlights over the years. And … Continue reading
Song Review: Golden Child – Breathe
It’s very rare that I’ll write a “buried treasure” or “in-depth album review” post, only to have that song given a full music video and promoted later on. So rather than have everyone sift through The Bias List archives, I’m going to re-post my original review of Breathe today, updated with the video. My thoughts … Continue reading
Song Review: ATO6 – Runway
I love a pleasant surprise! Runway comes from YG KPlus project group ATO6, and is aptly titled. After all, this subsidiary is largely focused on the modeling industry. It’s probably most well-known as the home of VIINI (formerly known as Hyunbin from JBJ), who has released solo work before. He also co-produced this track, and … Continue reading
SHINee DON’T CALL ME: In-Depth Album Review – CØDE
Enough of you asked for it, and who am I to deny? It’s time to dive deep into SHINee’s long-awaited comeback album Don’t Call Me, track-by-track. 1. Don’t Call Me // 2. Heart Attack // 3. Marry You // 4. CØDE // 5. I Really Want You // 6. Kiss Kiss // 7. Body Rhythm … Continue reading
Song Review: WEi – All Or Nothing
Rookie group WEi is organizing their first few mini albums around the idea of “identity.” Their goal, I assume, is to display their versatility and show different sides to their music. It’s odd, then, that their title tracks have been formatted with a producer credit in the title – giving top-billing to their collaborators. But … Continue reading
Song Review: Pixy – Wings
Debut girl group Pixy is perhaps most notable as the new home of former Cherry Bullet leader Mirae (rechristened Ella, here). Their pre-release teasers hinted at a darker, fantasy-themed concept. I’m always up for more fantasy aesthetics in K-pop, especially since Oh My Girl has all-but abandoned them of late. However, Wings plays more like … Continue reading
Song Review: The Boyz – Breaking Dawn
Never trust Google translate, at least out of context (and especially when trying to translate from Japanese). I don’t know how I misconstrued whatever article I “read,” but I had it in my mind that The Boyz’ new Japanese single was going to fall within the future funk genre. Maybe they were talking about a … Continue reading
Song Review: ONF – Beautiful Beautiful
I kind of feel like I willed this song into existence. Between my constant mentions of ONF’s electro-funk mix of It’s Raining last year, to The Bias List’s latest endeavor involving 90’s techno J-pop, I’ve all-but erected an imaginary shrine in honor of songs like this. And when even SHINee refused to bring the funk … Continue reading
The 90’s J-Pop Roadmap: Iceman – Dark Half (Touch Your Darkness)
If you were to map my musical DNA, a sizable portion would be indebted to 90’s J-pop. To me, this is a truly magical time in music, but it’s rarely discussed or shared outside of Japan. Being an aficionado of certain sounds within this era, I’ve tracked down hundreds of highlights over the years. And … Continue reading
The 90’s J-Pop Roadmap: V6 – Take Me Higher
If you were to map my musical DNA, a sizable portion would be indebted to 90’s J-pop. To me, this is a truly magical time in music, but it’s rarely discussed or shared outside of Japan. Being an aficionado of certain sounds within this era, I’ve tracked down hundreds of highlights over the years. And … Continue reading
SHINee DON’T CALL ME: In-Depth Album Review – Marry You
Enough of you asked for it, and who am I to deny? It’s time to dive deep into SHINee’s long-awaited comeback album Don’t Call Me, track-by-track. 1. Don’t Call Me // 2. Heart Attack // 3. Marry You // 4. CØDE // 5. I Really Want You // 6. Kiss Kiss // 7. Body Rhythm … Continue reading
Song Review: Sunmi – Tail
After painting the year retro in 2020, Sunmi has re-emerged with her first single of 2021. She stubbornly refuses to grace us with a mini or full album, but the drips and drabs we’ve gotten have generally been of high quality. New single Tail (꼬리) continues her work with producer Frants, though it hearkens back … Continue reading