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. It’s been a long time since … Continue reading
TAN have done a nice job mining the sounds of second-gen K-pop to craft an appealing discography, most notably with debut single Du Du Du. That song (and others) gave me strong Beast flavor, but new single Heartbeat echoes classic SHINee. Or to be more specific, it feels like NCT’s 2019 version of 2013-era SHINee, … Continue reading
Multi-song rollouts are becoming increasingly common for HYBE artists, and BTS’s V is certainly taking advantage of the strategy. His solo album isn’t out until next month, but we’ve already heard two of its tracks. Rainy Days follows yesterday’s understated, jazzy Love Me Again, ever so slightly upping the energy to a soft shuffle. Time … Continue reading
Dance troupe turned K-pop group Artbeat v debuted late last year (minus the “v”), and since then the members have shuffled. Now a five-person act, they’re back with the sugary sweet new jack swing of Dubi Dubi. New jack swing happens to be one of my favorite genres, and this is an incredibly straightforward re-creation … Continue reading
The BTS solo roll-out continues in earnest with member V scheduled to release multiple songs ahead of his debut album in September. V’s unique, husky voice has always been one of the group’s secret weapons — a very appealing tone that adds character and texture to anything it touches. The challenge, then, is to find … Continue reading
Boy group n.SSign finally make their long-awaited debut today, bolstered by a ton of goodwill. Their early-2023 pre-debut album is quite strong, they’re paired with excellent producers, and pre-release Higher only gets better with each listen. This makes title track Wormhole: New Track all the more baffling. It sounds like nothing else the group has … Continue reading
Over the past few weeks, there’s been a ton of K-pop releases embracing bright dance pop sounds. This has been a boon to my playlist, as I tend to flock toward this energy during the summer months. Jo Yuri’s music has shifted style with each release, but Taxi lands her right in the K-pop roller … Continue reading
Ahead of a full NCT 2023 project later this month, founding member Jaehyun is the latest to deliver a solo track through the group’s NCT Lab platform. These songs have been a mixed bag so far, with the most left-field choices being the most successful. Songs like Horizon are exceedingly difficult to write about because … Continue reading
Rather than opt for a standard music video, TVXQ’s U-Know is promoting his newest mini album with a thirteen-minute short film, unveiling his cinematic concept via a full storyline. Even so, the album has an official title track in Vuja De, and that’s what I’ll be writing about today. Vuja De embraces elements of big … Continue reading
I can’t believe it’s been two years since I last wrote about a Jeon Somi comeback! I had to look back to verify that, because 2021 seems like a lifetime ago. Thankfully, she’s returned with an upgrade. Producer Teddy is still in tow, but Fast Forward has a fashionable Euro-dance sound that makes for an … Continue reading
The Boyz are releasing their second full album in parts, starting with a collection targeted at bright summer sounds. I’ve been waiting for the group to return to this style for years. 2021’s Thrill Ride had the imagery right, but Lip Gloss nails the sound. I love when K-pop groups don’t take themselves too seriously. … 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. I don’t usually listen to Korean … 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. I’m still in a haze over … 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. Kwon Eunbi’s new project may only … Continue reading
I had to go back to my September 2022 review of Limelight’s pre-debut Starlight to remember what this trio was all about. I guess I never got around to reviewing their most recent single Honestly, though I remember liking it when it came out early this year. But for all extents and purposes, I’m heading … Continue reading
1. Intro: 13 // 2. New Emotions // 3. Time Difference // 4. I Got You // 5. Find Me FIND ME Funny enough, Find Me is my least favorite track on this album but my favorite vocal performance. On the past three songs, I’ve struggled with the restraint of Infinite’s vocals and melodies. After … Continue reading
Rookie boy group BXB impressed earlier this year with the emotive drama of Fly Away. As they set to embark on their first official comeback, one would hope they’d build upon the strengths of that debut to craft something even bigger and better. Unfortunately, Planet cribs from Fly Away‘s most sluggish instincts, resulting a well-performed … Continue reading
Mamamoo and its sub-units never met an onomatopoeia they didn’t love. Their music has increasingly become characterized by cartoonish hooks placed over funky backbeats. Hints of their retro, jazzy debut-era sound still creep up in the vocal delivery, but their work has become mired in a sense of novelty that belies their obvious talent. My … Continue reading
After setting the industry (and my playlist) alight in 2021, Brave Girls released one final album before leaving their agency and rebranding as BBGirls. That name feels very awkward, but I’m so happy these four decided to stick together. Their music is great counterprogramming to K-pop’s younger girl groups, confident in its ability to showcase … Continue reading
Let me paint a picture for you: In the unlikely event that producers Sweetune are announced as part of a modern-era idol comeback, my entire base of operations goes on red alert. Lights flash, alarms sound and any outside activity freezes as the fist-pumping grandeur of The Chaser pipes through the overhead speakers. Okay, I don’t … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 