In addition to frequent song covers, ATEEZ members have been stealthily delivering solo tracks through a series called “ATEEZ Present.” I haven’t written about these songs on the blog since I don’t always cover ballads, but Wooyoung’s new Sagittarius has a bit more bounce in its step as well as a glossy performance video. As … Continue reading
Song Review: Jennie (BLACKPINK) – ExtraL (ft. Doechii)
Earlier this week, BLACKPINK’s Jennie unveiled the star-studded track list for her upcoming solo album. We’ve already heard her collaboration with Dominic Fike, but she’s also set to partner with Doechii, Dua Lipa, Childish Gambino, Kali Uchis and FKJ. It’s a diverse list of talents, for sure. Doechii’s name stands out in particular, as she’s … Continue reading
ONF MY IDENTITY: In-Depth Album Review – Nothing But A Stranger (On Team)
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab NOTHING BUT A STRANGER Most ONF albums feature at least one ballad/mid-tempo, and My Identity is no different. This time, it comes courtesy of the group’s “On … Continue reading
Song Review: LiSA – ReawakeR (ft. Felix of Stray Kids)
Collaborations between Japanese and Korean acts have become more common, and as a fan of both music markets it’s fun to see the artists interact. ReawakeR is a big one, bringing together anime theme queen LiSA and Stray Kids’ ultra-popular Felix on the new OST for season two of Solo Leveling. Though the song has been … Continue reading
ONF MY IDENTITY: In-Depth Album Review – Night Tale
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab NIGHT TALE It’s been awhile since I’ve written a track-by-track in-depth album review, but ONF are long overdue for one. The six tracks I’ll be covering in … Continue reading
Song Review: LUN8 – Butterfly
Fantagio’s LUN8 have pinballed from trend to trend, not yet landing on a sound that distinguishes them from K-pop’s always packed crowd of rookie acts. New single Butterfly (나비) shifts style yet again, though this time they’re attempting something a bit more ambitious and unique. This transformation comes alongside a shift in members. One has … Continue reading
Song Review: KickFlip – Knock Knock
After years of waiting for JYP Entertainment to debut their team from 2021’s LOUD survival series, KickFlip were one of my most anticipated new acts of 2025. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to connect with their music so far. I was hoping the songs would grow on me with time, but if anything the opposite … Continue reading
Song Review: Xodiac – Time 2 Shine
Boy group Xodiac have largely flown under the radar despite releasing a handful of solid tracks. Time 2 Shine gives them the (soft) rock makeover that’s proven very trendy in new-gen boy groups. It won’t win any awards for originality, but there’s always room on my playlist for more melodic material like this. Opening with … Continue reading
Song Review: ARrC – nu kidz
Mystic Story’s first boy group ARrC debuted last summer with a pair of promoted tracks that mixed quirky ideas with well-worn boy group tropes. Their agency is known for creative concepts but I’m waiting for the music itself to stand on its own. Comeback nu kidz offers an intriguing first step into new territory even … Continue reading
Song Review: ONF – The Stranger
There’s this meme going around lately about pop artists “reheating their nachos,” which is basically an obnoxious way of saying “returning to the sounds they popularized and do best.” I get the sense that, although this is said in a loving nature, there’s a bit of reluctance threaded into the metaphor. But for better or … Continue reading
Song Review: POW – Gimme Love
When last we heard from POW, they were interpolating the chorus of Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend to middling effect, diluting that song’s power with too many overused K-pop tropes. Now they’re back with a special digital single that’s much more of a stripped back affair. If this month was delivering new K-pop comebacks with any regularity, … Continue reading
Song Review: KiiiKiii – I Do Me
With the debut of SM Entertainment’s new girl group just around the corner, Starship Entertainment has lodged a stealth attack by pre-releasing music from their upcoming girl group KiiiKiii first. Given the agency’s huge success with IVE, all eyes are on KiiiKiii’s emergence in the industry. And if I Do Me is any indication, the … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from February 9-15
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. In 2025, I thought I’d try something new and add a weekly feature to supplement my monthly round-up. Each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And … Continue reading
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (February 16, 2025)
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
Global Pop Round-Up: February 2025 Edition
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
Song Review: I:MOND – Wonderland
I:MOND made their debut last summer but completely passed me by, as fledging rookie groups occasionally do. Now they’re back with their first mini album and title track Wonderland (원더랜드). Interestingly, the group are independently managed without the backing of a label. That’s pretty rare in K-pop’s idol landscape and certainly makes me want to … Continue reading
Song Review: MADEIN – Love, Afraid
Fresh off their pre-release ballad Saturn last week, MADEIN are back with their latest title track Love, Afraid (사랑, 두려움). That title might as well stand for the dueling emotions listeners have felt before and after sexual abuse allegations were leveled at the group’s CEO. It’s a messy, unsure time to be a MADEIN fan, … Continue reading
Song Review: One Pact – 100!
Despite featuring a strong member line-up, I haven’t yet been able to connect with One Pact’s music. I admire how they compose their own work, but in my case it’s a matter of diverging musical tastes. However, teasers for new single 100! unveiled a promising funk pop sound, joining the ranks of many current boy … Continue reading
Song Review: Jisoo (BLACKPINK) – Earthquake
The month (year?) of BLACKPINK solos rolls on with the release of Jisoo’s second single and first since cutting ties with YG Entertainment for her solo efforts. So far, that decision has played well for every other BLACKPINK member, and given the lukewarm nature of 2023’s Flower Jisoo has plenty of room for musical improvement. … Continue reading
Song Review: Boyfriend – Time Limit
I often consider Boyfriend one of K-pop’s most underrated acts, especially when it comes to international fans. While they may not have ever reached the A-list, their run with Sweetune remains as epic as any of their contemporaries. Unfortunately, once they started to work with other producers their sound took a noticeable dip. We’d still … Continue reading