Days after hitting us with pre-release Tantara, iKON have delivered their first album under new management. And if title track U is any indication, the group is in a very happy place. This is their most upbeat single yet, offering their take on the popular disco-party sound. Given the song’s co-write from member Bobby, I … 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. When listening to LE SSERAFIM’s new … Continue reading
Bang Yongguk has proven himself a strong solo artist and excellent producer for other acts. His music is more varied than I would have expected, blending rap, pop and rock into a mix that’s all his own. New single Ride Or Die harnesses elements of the popular synthwave trend and twists them to Yongguk’s own … Continue reading
BTOB and Apink occupy a similar space in K-pop. Both are early-2010’s debuts still going strong today. And both have accomplished this with music that tends to be pretty safe and pleasant. There’s a sense of security attached to these groups that’s become increasingly rare in the fast-paced K-pop industry. Wind And Wish (나의 바람) … Continue reading
Ahead of their album release next week, aespa have returned with the evocative Welcome to MY World (yes, the capitalization of “MY” is intentional!). Rather than hitting us over the head with intense hyperpop sounds, the track offers a more languid energy. Welcome to MY World builds gradually, moving from downbeat, rock-influenced trap-pop to symphonic … Continue reading
We’re in the middle of a girl group gauntlet, with K-pop’s most popular acts making a string of comebacks this spring. Today, it’s LE SSERAFIM’s turn. Their one-two punch of Fearless and Antifragile helped define 2022, but new single Unforgiven reverts to tropes better left on the cutting room floor. My first thought upon hearing … 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 2023 Overall Thoughts I’ve been complaining about K-pop a lot this year, but April was … 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. Most of Taeyang’s new album feels … Continue reading
Before discussing this song, I must mention how much I love the title “Already Go Ready.” It’s the kind of beautiful nonsense no one actually says in real life. It sounds like the catchphrase of some fantastic teen sitcom. Unfortunately, the song itself doesn’t quite live up to this excitement. Already Go Ready (얼레리꼴레리) has … Continue reading
It can be tempting to treat pre-releases as extraneous, but some of my favorite ONEUS songs have been those released without full title track promotion. I’m thinking specifically of 2021’s Life Is Beautiful. Unforgettable (잇다 있다 잊었다) doesn’t scale those same heights, but its buoyant production and satisfying melodies work well. Based on the promo … Continue reading
EPEX have cobbled together a colorful discography over the past few years. I never know what we’re going to get from them and my reactions to their music have been polarized. With a sound that’s constantly in flux, it’s hard to maintain an enduring interest in the group. Sunshower (여우가 시집가는 날) is another shift … Continue reading
It’s been a long wait between February’s pre-release Abyss and this new Woodz album. His albums have become increasingly rock-focused, unveiling an artist with a unique vision. He rarely promotes the strongest material as title tracks, so I’m eager to dive into the b-sides. I’m quite surprised Journey was chosen as the single this time … Continue reading
When it comes to Xdinary Heroes’ music, I just can’t gain a foothold. Thus far, I’ve found almost every chorus grating and gimmicky, and their punky aesthetic feels like cosplay coming from a mega-corporation like JYP Entertainment. New single Freakin’ Bad is an improvement, though the song is still unlikely to find its way on … Continue reading
Debuting boy group Xodiac have a cool name, and that’s important! But, do they have cool music to go along with it? So far, the answer is no. Throw A Dice is standard boy group fare, performed well enough but lacking any identifiable perspective of its own. The track moves through predictable segments, from its … Continue reading
It’s time to see what iKON can do on their own! Tantara is the first taste of a post-YG future for the group, released ahead of their upcoming album. They’ve always had a hand in their own production, so the continuity between this song and the last isn’t surprising. Tantara isn’t so much a reinvention … Continue reading
Though he’s often known for his more hip-hop inspired tracks, Taeyang’s Eyes, Nose, Lips stands as one of K-pop’s best and most enduring torch songs. The guy can sing the heck out of a ballad, and he’s one of the few voices that compels attention without all the bells and whistles that often surround idol … Continue reading
After six years without a new album, Taeyang is treating fans to multiple title tracks. After January’s Vibe, Shoong pairs the veteran performer with another K-pop titan. This time, it’s an in-house collaboration with BLACKPINK’s Lisa. When it comes to solo material, Taeyang often pairs himself with rappers. Bandmate G-Dragon has filled that role more … Continue reading
I already wrote about Agust D’s Haegeum in detail, so this review for follow-up Amygdala will be brief. It’s an interesting choice for promotion via music video, delving the depths of his past traumas to create a kind of tone poem. Someone in the sociology/psychology field needs to do a study on vocal effects/vocal processing … Continue reading
The title “Macarena” conjures a ton of memories for this 90’s kid. Most of them include unenthusiastic, teacher-directed dancing at school. Even as an impressionable youth, I never enjoyed the song. It always felt too much like forced fun. I can’t imagine what reference point a group like Blitzers could have for the word. The … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 