Rather than release double title tracks, JYP Entertainment has been gifting its acts with a variety of music videos, blurring the line between singles and b-sides. In general, I think this is an exciting prospect, but I’m starting to wish the agency invested as much effort in making great music. As I mentioned in my … Continue reading
Tag Archives: jyp
Battle of the B-Sides: EPEX, Twice, IN2IT, Wheein, Infinite H
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
Buried Treasure: ITZY – Sooo Lucky
A K-pop group’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. For me, ITZY’s music has suffered … Continue reading
Song Review: ITZY – Loco
ITZY burst into K-pop two and a half years ago with a song and sound that made them one of 2019’s most interesting groups. Since then, so many of their peers have ITZYfied their own music – shoveling teen crush attitude over busy instrumentals stuffed with restless, chintzy percussion. ITZY should be immensely proud of … Continue reading
Battle of the B-Sides: Boyfriend, JYP, Bobby, Block B, Beast
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
LOUD Reviews: Team JYP & Team P Nation – Get Loud & 180 Seconds
LOUD’s format surprised all the way up to its grand finale. The line-up for its two boy groups was actually revealed in the penultimate episode, with the finale devoted to a festival-like series of performances. It was nice to watch an episode without stressing over votes and eliminations, and I’m super excited about both groups … Continue reading
Song Review: Stray Kids – Red Lights (Bang Chan & Hyunjin)
It feels like I’m writing a new Stray Kids review every other day. JYP Entertainment has gone all out for their newest album, filming several music videos to promote group and sub-unit tracks. I don’t know if I’ll write a detailed review on every one, but Bang Chan and Hyunjin’s Red Lights deserves a few … Continue reading
Battle of the B-Sides: Ha Sungwoon, Nu’est, Lee Jinhyuk, GOT7, Suzy
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: 2PM – With Me Again
After making their long-awaited return earlier this summer, 2PM are releasing new music in Japan. They’ve always had a huge J-pop career – so big that it eclipsed their Korean output in recent years. We’ll see how commercially impactful With Me Again (僕とまた) ends up being, but when it comes to sheer quality, it definitely … Continue reading
Song Review: Stray Kids – Cheese
I wish every release received the promotional blitz JYP Entertainment affords Stray Kids. Though it’s only been out for a few weeks, we’re already on the third official music video from their NOEASY album. Neither Thunderous nor The View did much for me, so to call Cheese my favorite single yet isn’t exactly high praise. … Continue reading
Song Review: Young K (DAY6) – Guard You
The effects of military enlistment have resulted in numerous side projects for DAY6. Their sub-unit Even Of Day has released two albums, and now it’s time for the group’s bassist to embark on a solo career. Young K has long been a prominent songwriter within the band, almost ensuring his own work will carry a … Continue reading
Battle of the B-Sides: After School, ToppDogg, T-ara, Girls’ Generation, ITZY
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: Stray Kids – The View
Stray Kids fans know that the group’s promotion doesn’t end with a single title track. In almost all cases, the group has released a follow-up music video (or more!) for album b-sides. This has quickly established a vast singles run (if you want to count these extra releases as official “singles”). Either way, it’s a … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: Stray Kids – Star Lost
A K-pop group’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Stray Kids’ new album is perfectly … Continue reading
LOUD Recap + P Nation’s “I’m Your Brother” Review
Those of you who follow my twitter account know that I’ve spent the past few weeks gushing about how great survival series LOUD has been. If you’re not already watching the show, there’s still time to catch up! I’m a veteran watcher of Korean survival/audition series, having followed the vast majority of them since 2013. … Continue reading
Song Review: Stray Kids – Thunderous
Fresh off their Kingdom victory, Stray Kids have returned with their second full-length album. Not many K-pop groups release two full albums back-to-back, but I’m sure Stray Kids’ self-producing status leaves them with plenty of material to choose from. Although last year’s God’s Menu was a fun, memorable title track, its parent album was stuffed … Continue reading
Battle of the B-Sides: Heo Young Saeng, Just B, Trouble Maker, Stray Kids, Girls’ Generation
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
Battle of the B-Sides: Infinite F, FIX, Astro, Wonder Girls, CNBlue
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
Battle of the B-Sides: Weki Meki, Wonder Girls, Monsta X, EXO-CBX, NCT 127
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
Battle of the B-Sides: Twice, DAY6, Super Junior-D&E, SF9, Son Dam Bi
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