Last time MCND made a comeback, they pre-released a track that turned out to be even stronger than the actual single. I’m not sure if Pop Star portends an eventual comeback, but it’s always nice to hear from the group. If you liked BOYNEXTDOOR’s recent trio of tracks, Pop Star should work for you too. … 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
Wow, it’s been a loooong time since I’ve written about a new single from Zhoumi. He picked a hell of a day to make a long-awaited comeback with SM Entertainment! I can’t help but feel bad for the guy. New single Mañana pairs him with Super Junior’s Eunhyuk, a member he used to work with … 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. May 2023 Overall Thoughts We’re not quite to the halfway point of the calendar year, so … Continue reading
The Boyz’ Japanese discography includes some of their best and worst material. New single Delicious leads their upcoming album and splits the difference between these extremes. It’s unlikely to inspire much excitement, but its laidback groove won’t ruffle many feathers either. When first watching this video on YouTube, the algorithm immediately played the chorus of … Continue reading
I was not a fan of HORI7ON’s first pre-debut single Dash, but follow-up track Lovey Dovey dramatically transforms their sound. Gone is the tough-guy chanting of Dash, replaced by pastel outfits and a light funk pop beat that borrows elements of new jack swing. This style appeals to me, even if the song feels a … Continue reading
Following 2020’s I:KAN, NINE to SIX debuts as DKZ’s second sub-unit, consisting of members Mingyu and Jonghyeong. And, they really don’t want you to give them a call… The chorus of Don’t Call Me might work as a combative answering machine message if you’re feeling especially surly. The song harnesses a rugged — almost industrial … 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
BOYNEXTDOOR have approached their debut in a similar way to NewJeans, releasing a series of songs and music videos in the lead up to their single album. It’s an exciting way to unveil new talent, though the rollout hasn’t felt nearly as buzzy this time around. After a strong opening salvo, I was less impressed … Continue reading
AB6IX offered an sleek, fashionable vision when they first debuted in 2019, but as the years have gone on I’ve struggled to maintain excitement in their music. Part of this is down to lack of consistency. They’ve struggled to maintain a definable sound and musical perspective, which makes a lot of their work feel generic. … Continue reading
The most notable aspect of CIX’s Save Me, Kill Me is its music video, which brings back the “drama storyline” approach many older K-pop mvs used to favor. It’s angsty and over-the-top and grabs attention. Unfortunately, this drama needs a better soundtrack. Save Me, Kill Me is a real slog. It’s like BTS’s I Need … Continue reading
The Faker Club is providing necessary counterprogramming for mainstream K-pop trends. Its artists from20 and Hello Gloom have delivered some of my favorite songs of the year, simply by opting for sounds and structures that are hard to find elsewhere. Eyes On Me is another winner. If you’ve perused any of my “Global Round-Up” posts, … 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
A K-pop act’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. Dreamcatcher can always be counted on … Continue reading
BOYNEXTDOOR’s extended roll-out continues with their second pre-release One And Only. I liked their first song just fine, even if it felt a bit unassuming given the powerful backing of Zico + HYBE. I’m heartened to see a big-name boy group debut with music that has a lighter, bouncier touch. But, One And Only delivers … Continue reading
With over 4,000 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the “Random Shuffle Review” feature. The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets … Continue reading
With the K-pop market as crowded as it is, there are bound to be plenty of groups whose music becomes difficult to distinguish from their peers. Secret Number fall into this category, with a discography that constantly changes style. I can’t point to any element that makes them stick out from the pack, even if … Continue reading
Some of my favorite Dreamcatcher tracks meld the group’s rock sound with borderline-cheesy, stadium-ready melodies. Songs like Fly High and Over The Sky veer closer to “anthem territory” and bring the sense of drama I crave in a great rock track. New single BONVOYAGE harnesses a similar energy, even if its execution doesn’t quite find … Continue reading
Upon the release of LE SSERAFIM’s most recent album, the track Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife seemed to spark a lot of online discussion. So, I’m not surprised it’s been given a music video and follow-up promotions. While Unforgiven attacks with its central catchphrase, Eve maintains the stylish — almost monotone — air of … Continue reading
I don’t always cover new Jay Park music on the blog, but Candy offers the kind of funk-pop sound I tend to be interested in. It also pairs him with vocalist Zion.T — a name we don’t hear all that often anymore. They make a powerful duo, even if Candy sets its ambitions relatively low. … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 