Song Review: A.C.E – Pinata
Review

Song Review: A.C.E – Pinata

For a group of their stature, A.C.E have developed an outsized fanbase internationally, touring extensively to cultivate fans all over the world. Their music has occasionally catered to this market, though the past few years have been quite inconsistent when it comes to sound. In my heart, I’ll always hold A.C.E as those daring upstarts … Continue reading

Song Review: A.C.E – Anymore
Review

Song Review: A.C.E – Anymore

We rarely hear K-pop groups promote ballads anymore, usually making them a pre-release (if they’re released at all). A.C.E have a history of this approach with their excellent 2020 track Stand By You. They definitely have the vocal firepower to pull it off, and special single Anymore takes advantage of this skill. Rather than Stand … Continue reading

Song Review: A.C.E – Supernatural
Review

Song Review: A.C.E – Supernatural

In between comebacks, A.C.E have often released special singles of various genres. Most of these songs feel more like appetizers than full courses, allowing the group to dabble in different music markets with English-language performances. Supernatural arrives in an English and Korean version. I’ll be linking the Korean version because whenever given the chance that’s … Continue reading

Song Review: A.C.E – My Girl
Review

Song Review: A.C.E – My Girl

Though they’ve delivered a few pre-release songs, we haven’t had a title track from A.C.E since 2021. The group still isn’t quite whole for new single My Girl, but with Kang Yuchan (Chan) recently coming back from military service, the days of five-member promotions seem just around the corner. As far as long-awaited comebacks go, … Continue reading

Song Review: A.C.E – Effortless
Review

Song Review: A.C.E – Effortless

A.C.E are the latest boy group to make a long-awaited, post-enlistment return. We haven’t heard from them since 2021’s Changer, but now they’ve teased the release of a new album in the coming weeks. Before that, we have special pre-release single Effortless — an English-language track that’s very in line with current trends. For me, … Continue reading

Battle of the B-Sides: A.C.E, 4minute, DAY6, Click-B, LOONA Odd Eye Circle
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Battle of the B-Sides: A.C.E, 4minute, DAY6, Click-B, LOONA Odd Eye Circle

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

Unwrapping 2021’s K-pop Holiday Tracks
Review

Unwrapping 2021’s K-pop Holiday Tracks

Imagine a big bushy Christmas tree — or replace that with whatever decoration or tradition matches your wintertime festivities. Underneath are packages galore, each containing a winter-themed K-pop track. Some have been unwrapped early (Stray Kids’ Christmas EveL, Billlie’s Snowy Night, ONEUS/ONEWE’s Stay) but there are still plenty to go.  After furiously opening each gift, … Continue reading

Battle of the B-Sides: Key, Pentagon, Red Velvet, A.C.E, Kim Hyun Joong
Feature

Battle of the B-Sides: Key, Pentagon, Red Velvet, A.C.E, Kim Hyun Joong

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

Song Review: A.C.E – Higher
Review

Song Review: A.C.E – Higher

A.C.E may not come back very often, but they’ve managed to place a song in my year-end top ten for two years running. ‘Quality over quantity’ is not a bad approach, and they’ve been wise to stick with the same circle of producers to ensure a cohesive discography. Higher is their latest release with composer … Continue reading