At the end of each month, I look back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists. I take my own ratings into account, but there’s a bit of wiggle room as certain songs tend to grow or fade. July 2023 Overall Thoughts This July was characterized by several things, but on this blog it … Continue reading
In the lead-up to their newest mini album, ITZY have teased a variety of sounds with pre-releases Bet On Me and None Of My Business. I wasn’t a fan of either track, but I appreciate hearing the group expand their sonic palette. Title track Cake switches things up once again, reverting to the bratty sound … Continue reading
Rather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post. I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: … Continue reading
In a funny bit of global pop synergy, we’ve got will.i.am and Britney’s Mind Your Business followed days later by ITZY’s None Of My Business. These songs have nothing in common, but I like to imagine them in conversation with each other. ITZY’s new album isn’t out until next week, making None Of My Business … Continue reading
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
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
For years now, many fans have been asking for a more “mature” concept from Twice. The use of that word “mature” always gives me pause. Who decided that slower, darker songs are automatically “mature”? I’d venture to say I’m older (maybe not more mature, though!) than the majority of K-pop fans. However, I still prefer … Continue reading
NMIXX were smart to pre-release Roller Coaster last week. That song takes some time to get under your skin, but it’s blossomed into a subdued summer hit for me. Title track Party O’Clock plays within similar sonic territory. It’s far less successful in its execution. The name “Party O’Clock” conjures ideas of massive EDM drops … Continue reading
For the second day in a row, JYP Entertainment has dropped a pre-release for one of its groups. This time it’s NMIXX, who are due to make a summer comeback next week. Roller Coaster is one of two new tracks, and jettisons their “mixx pop” sound in favor of subdued dance music that’s much more … Continue reading
When it comes to music videos, JYP Entertainment reminds me of that famous Oprah meme: “You get a car! And YOU get a car! AND YOU GET A CAR!” The agency has become very generous when it comes to promotion, pairing so many of its artists’ b-sides and pre-releases with full music videos. On the … Continue reading
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
At the end of each month, I look back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists. I take my own ratings into account, but there’s a bit of wiggle room as certain songs tend to grow or fade. June 2023 Overall Thoughts In the coming days, I’ll be sharing my top picks from the … Continue reading
NiziU’s second album is scheduled for release in mid-July, but its lead single has been unveiled early. Coconut is NiziU’s bid for a summer hit and contains many of the elements we associate with the season. I’ve had a hard time embracing NiziU’s music. Apart from the occasional standout, I find it too closely-aligned to … Continue reading
Rather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post. I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: … Continue reading
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
Twice’s first promoted sub-unit Misamo debuts not with a Korean release, but a J-pop song. This is a little surprising, especially since the mellow Marshmallow seems suited to Korean tastes. But when you realize who’s involved in this unit, the decision couldn’t be clearer. Misamo gives the group’s three Japanese members a chance to shine … Continue reading
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
There are times when you admire something even if you don’t necessarily like it. Stray Kids’ new single S-Class (특) has those qualities. I admire its chutzpah, and I admire the group’s willingness to experiment with sound and structure. This seems to be their answer to JYP Entertainment’s “mixx-pop” endeavor — basically cramming an entire … Continue reading
Twice’s Hare Hare has been kicking around digital spaces for a few weeks, but I’ve held off writing about it in a J-pop round-up because I knew the music video was just around the corner. Today, we have the visuals to accompany this bouncy dance track. Hare Hare is modern Twice, through and through. It … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I look back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists. I take my own ratings into account, but there’s a bit of wiggle room as certain songs tend to grow or fade. April 2023 Overall Thoughts I’ve been complaining about K-pop a lot this year, but April was … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 