When it comes to the priorities for an AleXa comeback, the actual song seems to come about third or fourth on the list. The music video and performance are clearly the stars here, which is fine. But, as someone who listens to K-pop more often than watching the songs’ accompanying videos, this approach can be … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Chocolate Love (from Chocolate Love – 2009) Released by both f(x) and Girls’ Generation with different themes and arrangements, this “electro-pop” version of Chocolate Love is more suited to my personal taste. It comes across like many of SM’s girl group tracks … Continue reading
Last we heard from boy group D-CRUNCH, they were crunching our ears with the aggressive Pierrot. That song didn’t do much to differentiate them from the pack, but they’ve stuck to their guns with the almost-as-noisy Across The Universe (비상(飛上)). This track brings stronger textures to the table, but reinforces an exhausting trend that’s affected … Continue reading
Weeks before making his military enlistment, Crush has released a mini album with a fun concept. With Her pairs the soloist with a different female artist for each track. I think this is a wonderful idea, as each collaborator could bring out a different part of his artistry, while potentially challenging themselves as well. The … Continue reading
True to JYP form, Stray Kids have proven to be real workhorses this year. Just over a month after their last Korean comeback (which they’re still promoting), they’ve dropped the music video for their new Japanese single. All In follows this spring’s standout TOP, and heralds the release of their first Japanese mini album. Like … Continue reading
I have great affection for the members of Mamamoo, yet it’s been ages since I’ve loved one of their singles. Their music has always had a tongue-in-cheek, comical aspect, and that willingness to poke fun at themselves has become one of their charms. But, this approach has also made some of their comebacks feel a … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Cash Me Out (from 4 Walls – 2015) Melding an abrasive electro beat with a steady kick and a big, floor-filling chorus, Cash Me Out is an invigorating slab of quirky EDM. It doesn’t really get going until its bonkers post-chorus drop … Continue reading
To this day, my absolute favorite NCT track remains 2016’s Without You. That song spotlighted vocalists Doyoung, Taeil and Jaehyun without resorting to the kind of piano ballad usually reserved for vocal-driven tracks. In my mind, there are far more interesting ways to showcase your vocalists than a traditional ballad. Anthemic synth-rock is only one … Continue reading
2020 has defied expectations at every turn, but one thing I never expected to see is a B1A4 comeback. For me, B1A4 are one of K-pop’s definitive groups, with an incredible catalog of music. But, it’s been over three years since they’ve graced K-pop with a new album. The release of Origine follows a reconfiguration … Continue reading
Fans have had to wait ages between LOONA comebacks, but 2020 marks the first year the group has released multiple albums. Why Not? follows February’s So What, which steered the girls in a more brash direction. Judging from the songs’ titles alone, you get a sense of how both might sound. They thrive on a … Continue reading
Over the past few years, Seventeen have secured their place in K-pop’s A-list, routinely selling over a million copies of their albums. And, they’ve done it while staying true to their self-producing roots. This has allowed them to develop a signature style. No matter whether the group goes light or dark in concept, you can … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Calling Out (from Cinderella Sister OST – 2010) f(x) recorded quite a few OST tracks in their early days, and this ballad from Luna and Krystal showcases many of that format’s strengths and limitations. Many OST ballads are only as effective as … Continue reading
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! November … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Butterfly (from Red Light – 2014) In many ways, Butterfly (나비) begins like so many tracks from SM Entertainment history. Its core synth stomp has been popular with the agency since the mid-00’s, but f(x) soon take it in a different direction … Continue reading
The Boyz debuted in late 2017, and have rarely had a hiatus lasting more than a couple of months. This has allowed them to quickly cobble together enough title tracks for a top ten countdown. Moving through a variety of sounds and styles with ease, this list is a testament to both their versatility and … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Boom Bang Boom (from Red Light – 2014) A sparse, mostly percussive dance track, Boom Bang Boom lives up to f(x)’s idiosyncratic reputation. It’s a song that thrives on competing textures, from the grimy verses to the skeletal beat drop that blossoms … Continue reading
It feels as though DR Music just can’t learn from their mistakes. It’s admirable how they refuse to let Rania fully disband, whether that’s via a “BP Rania” reboot or this new Blackswan project (whose debut album is actually titled “Goodbye Rania”). Following the group’s career is like watching a soap opera. But, it’s also … Continue reading
It’s been over a year since AKMU’s last comeback, and that song is still sitting comfortably on the Korea charts. No matter what they do, this brother-sister pair is popular. So, it makes sense to branch out to solo careers. And though Lee Suhyun’s Alien is composed by her brother Chanhyuk, its dancefloor-ready sound is … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Beautiful Stranger (from Electric Shock – 2012) A unit track from Amber, Luna and Krystal, Beautiful Stranger makes itself known with a dramatic electronic opening before laying down its stomping beat. The song opens with a standout rap courtesy of Amber, followed … Continue reading
Is it weird that, even after the first note, part of me expected Hello (안녕) to be a cover of Adele’s 2015 mega-hit? To be honest, I wouldn’t mind hearing that. Instead, Chen’s latest release is the kind of ballad you’d expect this time of year in Korea. It’s been awhile since I’ve written about … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 