If one thing has been lacking from K-pop’s 2020 boy group landscape, it’s a sense of fun. Now don’t get me wrong, we’re not exactly in “fun” times right now, so to expect anybody to be in a particularly good mood at the moment is asking a lot. But when things are dark, don’t we … Continue reading
Late last year, DAY6 shocked me with their fantastic – and musically varied – full album The Book of Us: Entropy. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the group’s music before, but Entropy really pushed their sound to another level. Retro anthems like Deep In Love and Emergency were particularly impactful, and gave me hope … Continue reading
Since reuniting as five, Nu’est have displayed contrasting charms. First, we had the angsty Bet Bet, followed by the buoyant Love Me. Anyone who’s read my reviews for awhile will know which concept I preferred. New single I’m In Trouble plays things down the middle, jumping on the minimalist, bass-driven trend with a hook that … Continue reading
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! February … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Much of Astro’s new mini album (including its decent but unspectacular … Continue reading
After sharing my thoughts on the Queendom finale songs last year, I regretted not writing more about the show as it was going on – especially since I enjoyed it so much. That regret didn’t quite spur me to cover Road to Kingdom’s premiere episode, but now that we’re in full performance mode, I plan … Continue reading
Now that every member of B.A.P has escaped TS Entertainment, solo careers abound. We’ve already heard from most of the guys, with Youngjae’s Forever Love being a particular highlight last year. But member Moon Jongup had yet to release solo material until yesterday’s Headache. He’s set his sights at a relatively laid-back level, delivering a fun … Continue reading
Just a day after IU and Suga teamed up to deliver the kind of superstar collaboration that the digital charts wet themselves over, BOL4’s Ahn Jiyoung and EXO’s Baekhyun have paired to unleash some healthy competition. But while yesterday’s Eight bucked expectations as a driving pop track, Leo (나비와 고양이) sounds exactly how you would … Continue reading
Girl group fans will likely know Natty as a contestant in both Sixteen (which went on to form Twice) and Idol School (which formed fromis_9). She has the unlucky distinction of being eliminated in episode eleven of both series, which has got to be maddening. But now, after five years in the public consciousness, she’s … Continue reading
The global K-pop fandom lost its collective mind upon the announcement that IU would be collaborating with BTS’s Suga. And true to grouchy form, I received the news with a shoulder shrug, imagining the dull hip-hop ballads that usually result from these high-profile pairings. However, Eight (에잇) sounds nothing like I’d expected, and I say … Continue reading
Idol rock band 2Z debuted earlier this year, and although I never wrote about their song My 1st Hero, I thought it was a fun 90’s throwback that stood out within the idol group landscape. Now, 2Z have returned with their first comeback, upping the intensity for the pounding Doctor. I’m not sure it’s the … Continue reading
I’ve noticed an emerging girl group trend that perches aegyo vocal performances over retro-inspired instrumentals that are much more interesting than the song they support. Just last month, Cignature’s ASSA and GWSN’s Bazooka suffered more from their groups’ delivery than the underlying production. I don’t think this is the fault of the girls themselves, but … Continue reading
More than almost anything else in the world, music makes me happy. There’s a certain indescribable rush that my favorite songs give me, and it can’t really be quantified. I don’t need a song to tell me to be happy. If it’s good enough, that thrill will come automatically. With that said, I certainly don’t … Continue reading
In an all-too familiar K-pop template, Astro’s increasing success has come with a shift in their music. Their once bright, energetic style has dulled to a generic, moody haze – the likes of which are peddled by so many other boy groups of this era. This transformation started with 2018’s excellent Always You, but took … Continue reading
Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! January … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. I may be in the minority, but I firmly believe that … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. It’s been heartening to watch Oh My Girl finally secure a … Continue reading
Over the years, I’ve been asked several times to create a post where I reveal my previously-reviewed songs that I would now bump up to a perfect, 10/10 rating, allowing them to officially join my Legendary Songs category. I guess it took a global pandemic for me to finally spend the time to compile this … 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 2020 Overall Thoughts With stay-at-home orders in effect all month, there was certainly time to … Continue reading
Boy group Noir has largely escaped my attention. I’ve written about most of their title tracks, but promptly forgotten about each one. When it comes to standing out in this generation of K-pop, you’ve got to have a distinct identity. Beyond overused labels like “dark” and “angsty,” I’d be hard-pressed to tell you much about … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 