One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Request (from Request – 2013) CF tracks are designed primarily to promote a product, and they really aren’t supposed to be this good. But rather than go gimmicky or opt for a commercial jingle sound, Request sees Infinite teaming once again with Sweetune … Continue reading
Tag Archives: infinite
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Reflex
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Reflex (from Season 2 / Be Back – 2014) Embracing 80’s synthpop stronger than ever before, Reflex feels like a sonic sequel to Be Mine. The instrumental is built on the old Stock Aitken Waterman drum program sound that powered so many late-80’s … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Real Story
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Real Story (from Over The Top / Paradise – 2011) Closing out Infinite’s first full album, Real Story is the type of inoffensive mid-tempo pop song that is the very definition of filler. This being Infinite, even their filler is stronger than many … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Paradise
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Paradise (from Paradise – 2011) Infinite had a lot riding on Paradise. Be Mine had finally given them the breakout hit they needed to gain public recognition and secure their first music show win, but that could have easily faded away without a … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Only Tears
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Only Tears (from Infinitize – 2012) One of Infinite’s most delicate ballads, Only Tears’ gentle mix of piano, guitar and strings provides little distraction from the purity of the group’s vocals. Even so, the instrumental builds gorgeously, becoming more grandiose as the song … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Nothing’s Over
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Nothing’s Over (from Inspirit – 2011) Sweetune are at their best when they go ultra-melodic, and Nothing’s Over is one of their essential tracks. From the opening, piano-accented beat to the soaring melodies that make up the chorus, the song is life-affirming pop … Continue reading
K-Pop Producer Spotlight: 1Take & TAK
If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of k-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers. 1Take & … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Mother
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Mother (from Destiny – 2013) Sometimes a song is more about sentiment than melody or production. It’s hard not to fall for an ode to moms, no matter how treacly it might come across. Even so, Mother is one of Infinite’s less … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Moonlight
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Moonlight (from Reality – 2015) Infinite have only worked with producers Seo Young-bae and Iggy two times, but both collaborations have resulted in absolute knockouts. Strong enough to be a title track, the strings-driven, disco-kissed Moonlight is one of the group’s best … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Monster Time
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Monster Time (from Telemonster OST – 2015) One of the more idiosyncratic entries in Infinite’s discography, Monster Time was recorded for the soundtrack of an animated kid’s show. That explains some of the bizarre lyrics. But as the group matures in sound … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Memories
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Memories (from Season 2 / Be Back – 2014) Memories is the kind of song that sneaks up on you. It’s not immediately impressive as it floats along a warm, mid-tempo groove, but its modest arrangement is carried out with such verve … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Man In Love
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Man In Love (from New Challenge – 2013) One of Infinite’s most joyous, upbeat explosions of pop, Man In Love doesn’t always receive the accolades it deserves. In fact, when it was first released, its insistent buoyancy seemed too fizzy and bright … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Love Of My Life
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Love Of My Life (from For You – 2015) Infinite’s original Japanese work has often been a testing ground for new sounds, and Love Of My Life points toward a very promising direction. The guys go full lighters-in-the-air power ballad here, complete with … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Love Letter
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Love Letter (from Reality – 2015) Some songs just radiate a sense of warmth. And while Love Letter may not be one of Infinite’s more notable efforts, it has that sentiment down. The song opens with an extended, jazzy piano introduction that soon … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Light (Sungkyu solo)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Light (Sungkyu solo) (from Season 2 / Be Back – 2014) A real breather moment on the Season 2/Be Back album, Light takes a soft approach that requires a few listens to fully ingratiate itself. Gone is the sense of unique quirkiness … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Lately (White Confession)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Lately (White Confession) (from Lately – 2011) Some things just go perfectly together, and Sweetune + Christmas is one of them. Lately supplies Infinite with the kind of surging, ultra-melodic pop sugar rush their first few years were built on, but by adding … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Last Romeo
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Last Romeo (from Season 2 / Be Back – 2014) Perhaps Infinite’s most underrated single, Last Romeo is their final (at least for now) collaboration with Sweetune. The song augments their 80’s synth sound with live band production that gives the instrumental … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Just Another Lonely Night
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Just Another Lonely Night (from 24 Hours/For You – 2015) Infinite’s original Japanese material has been hit and miss, with some of their b-sides eclipsing the actual singles. That’s the case with Just Another Lonely Night, which opens with an addictive vocal … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Julia
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Julia (from Over The Top/Paradise – 2011) Julia’s most indelible hook has no words, leading the track with a nonchalant, almost disconnected delivery. But the rest of the song is no slouch, either. The falsetto-driven chorus is a real treat, as is … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Inception
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Inception (from Destiny – 2013) With a title like Inception, you might expect something truly mind-bending. The song doesn’t go that far, but it is one of the most unique entries in Infinite’s catalog. Driven by a slinky synth loop and mid-tempo groove, … Continue reading