One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! So Into U (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) So Into U has that classic “wet” sound I always associate with certain producers like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and that alone gives it some welcome nostalgia. As far as the … Continue reading
Tag Archives: K-Pop A-Z
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Snapshot
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Snapshot (from Pink Tape – 2013) The intro to Snapshot is among the cheesiest moments in f(x)’s discography, but it establishes the song’s vampy sound well. The jazzy verses have a vaudevillian appeal to them, though I’ve never been a huge fan … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Signal
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Signal (from Pink Tape – 2013) Those who are loving K-pop’s current dalliance with disco music will find plenty to admire about Signal. From its wispy strings to its indelible groove, the song bumps with the best of them. Its instrumental remains … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Shadow
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Shadow (from Pink Tape – 2013) Shadow emerges as track two in the Pink Tape album, and has always suffered in comparison to Rum Pum Pum Pum. Under the hood, the song is almost as experimental, but the overall arrangement is much … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Rum Pum Pum Pum
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Rum Pum Pum Pum (from Pink Tape – 2013) Rum Pum Pum Pum is my favorite f(x) title track, and arguably the group’s crowning achievement. The song has everything I look for when it comes to f(x): a great melody, off kilter … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Red Light
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Red Light (from Red Light – 2014) Though I recognize I’m in the minority, Red Light is relatively low on my personal list of favorite f(x) title tracks. I find it an easier song to appreciate than to fully embrace. But to … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Rainbow
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Rainbow (from Red Light – 2014) Rainbow assaults the listener right from its first moment. This is noisy EDM at its most frantic, utilizing synth yelps as a through-line while the instrumental twists itself in distorted directions. The production is consistently harsh, … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Puzzle Bubble
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Puzzle Bubble (from Puzzle Bubble OST – 2011) Released as an OST for an online game, it’s hard to have very high expectations for Puzzle Bubble. The song is also known as Garagabana, which should give you an even clearer idea of … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Pretty Girl
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Pretty Girl (from Pink Tape – 2013) Pretty Girl manages to make distortion sound a little bluesy, even as its ticking time bomb of an instrumental assaults us with frantic hi-hats and a hearty clap. The verses are comparatively reserved, but build … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Pinocchio (Danger)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Pinocchio (Danger) (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) I feel like repackage Hot Summer often steals the limelight from Pinocchio, but this track is far more quintessentially f(x). The stomping electro beat takes no prisoners, nudged along by the group’s rhythmic … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Papi
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Papi (from 4 Walls – 2015) Papi is pure fun, indebted to nothing more than having a good time. It’s a monstrous dance track, thriving on a generous dose of electro bass and a chirpy synth loop. The chorus is instantly memorable, … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Paper Heart
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Paper Heart (from Red Light – 2014) Putting a cap on the adventurous Red Light album, Paper Heart is an extremely refreshing closer. Driven by plucked guitar (or ukulele?), the verses are light and relaxing. This sets up the stomping, sing-along chorus … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Nu ABO
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Nu ABO (from Nu ABO – 2010) Hailed as a “reverse beat” dance track, Nu ABO is what I would consider f(x)’s first real experimental single. The instrumental is quite a feat, looping a flipped synth riff with stomping percussion and filtered … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – No More
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! No More (from Pink Tape – 2013) Taking a doo wop approach, No More has a much warmer tone than much of the experimental Pink Tape album. As such, it’s a nice palette cleanser but tends to get lost in the shuffle. … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – My Style
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! My Style (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) My Style’s splashy introduction feels tailor-made for early-00’s Beyoncé, harnessing drumline-like percussion before settling into a sticky electro groove. I love the synth accents during the song’s verses. They feel pretty canned and … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Mr. Boogie
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Mr. Boogie (from Nu ABO – 2010) How can a dance track called Mr. Boogie possibly be anything less than awesome? From its title alone, you already know that this is going to be a ton of fun. And, f(x) don’t disappoint. … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Milk
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Milk (from Red Light – 2014) Though there are more obvious triumphs on the Red Light album, Milk has long been a favorite of mine. This song is all about percussion, which drives every element and extends to the girls’ highly-rhythmic vocals. … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Me+U
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Me+U (from Nu ABO – 2012) After a long wait, MeU would eventually become f(x)’s official fan name. But, it got its start one year into the group’s career with Me+U. This is a deeply weird track, bumping over a repetitive 8bit … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Love Hate
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Love Hate (from Electric Shock – 2012) Love Hate wastes no time getting started. The verses are delightfully playful, and feel as if they’re constantly struggling to keep up with themselves. The pre-chorus is even better, as the melody takes a perfect … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Love
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Love (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) As far as I know, Love is the only instance where production team Sweetune has worked with SM Entertainment. That’s kind of surprising when you think about it, but just shows how much of … Continue reading