While it was easy to pigeonhole Young Posse as a joke when they first emerged, last year’s g-funk nodding Ate That found the perfect balance between funny and awesome. There’s a huge gap in the market for colorful hip-hop that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and Young Posse feel uniquely equipped to fill it. Because … Continue reading
Tag Archives: kpop
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of February 2025
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. February 2025 Overall Thoughts K-pop continued to limp along this month, though the second half of … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: NouerA – Bring The Crunk
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. Defying expectations for a rookie group … Continue reading
Song Review: Lisa (BLACKPINK) – Fxck Up The World
The month of BLACKPINK solos comes to a conclusion as Lisa caps off February with the release of her first full album. This project has been preceded by a number of singles dating all the way back to last June. Like bandmate Jennie, the album’s tracklist unveils a host of big-name collaborators including popular rapper … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: G-Dragon – Take Me
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. Having listened to the new G-Dragon … Continue reading
Song Review: 3WAY – Mm-hmm
Rookies 3WAY Project have rebranded to 3WAY, which somehow seems even more provocative as a group name. Confusingly, the group is actually comprised of nine members, but I guess 9WAY doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. In any case, nine is divisible by three so I’m sure there’s some meaning there. I worry … Continue reading
Song Review: NouerA – N.I.N (New Is Now)
I watched last summer’s survival series Makemate (and even featured one of their songs on the blog), but it left such little impression that I struggle to recall many details about it. Its debuting group NouerA is here to fix that, arriving with a whopper of an electro-funk track that definitely leaves its mark. K-pop’s … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: ZEROBASEONE – Devil Game
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. For the second time in a … Continue reading
Song Review: G-Dragon – Too Bad (ft. Anderson .Paak)
The King of K-pop has graced us with two new music videos on the day he returns with his first solo album since 2017. We’ve already heard the funky Power and nostalgic Home Sweet Home, and today’s stark Drama offered another nuance in his artistic palette. For the Anderson .Paak-featuring Too Bad, it seems all … Continue reading
Song Review: G-Dragon – Drama
It’s been fun to watch G-Dragon’s Home Sweet Home go from surprise midnight drop to buzzy MAMA Awards stage to chart-conquering mega hit. It’s what someone of his stature in K-pop deserves and its success has made his long-awaited return feel like an even bigger event. Speaking of “long-awaited,” the roll-out for his latest album … Continue reading
Song Review: ZEROBASEONE – Blue
ZEROBASEONE have always released solid music, but they really found their footing with last year’s Cinema Paradise album. Teaming with K-pop legend Kenzie on title track Good So Bad was an inspired choice, and the group has replicated that success with new single Blue. The song is nostalgic and energizing, buoyed by one of the … Continue reading
Song Review: Hearts2Hearts – The Chase
I often find myself playing the expectation game with K-pop, trying to enjoy music for what it is rather than what I’ve built it up to be in my head. For over a year now, SM’s new girl group has been rumored to be the second coming of SNSD — a possibility that got me … Continue reading
Song Review: RE:WIND – RE:SET
I’ll always have a soft spot for a fledging act with a couple hundred YouTube views to their name. As I’m writing this, the visualizer to RE:WIND’s pre-release track RE:SET sits at just over six hundred views, but I have a feeling those six hundred people walked away very satisfied. Even before this release, RE:WIND … Continue reading
Song Review: KiiiKiii – Debut Song
A week ago, Starship Entertainment’s new girl group KiiiKiii pre-released their first track I Do Me, prompting a lukewarm response from me and many others who wished the group wouldn’t play things so safe. Be careful what you wish for, I guess, because they’re back with another pre-release — ironically titled Debut Song. I’m not … Continue reading
ONF MY IDENTITY: In-Depth Album Review – Collab
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab COLLAB If I were to pick any song on this new album that felt like filler, it would be Collab. It’s not slow enough to offer the … Continue reading
K-Pop Risers & Fallers: February 2025
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
ONF MY IDENTITY: In-Depth Album Review – Good Place
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab GOOD PLACE Even after seven years, my favorite ONF track is still 2018’s Complete. I just think their vocals work so well against a tropical house beat. … Continue reading
ONF MY IDENTITY: In-Depth Album Review – Anti Hero (Off Team)
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab ANTI HERO After a bit of a slow down, My Identity roars back to life with its second unit track. Anti Hero comes courtesy of ONF’s “Off … Continue reading
Song Review: Wooyoung (ATEEZ) – Sagittarius
In addition to frequent song covers, ATEEZ members have been stealthily delivering solo tracks through a series called “ATEEZ Present.” I haven’t written about these songs on the blog since I don’t always cover ballads, but Wooyoung’s new Sagittarius has a bit more bounce in its step as well as a glossy performance video. As … Continue reading
Song Review: Jennie (BLACKPINK) – ExtraL (ft. Doechii)
Earlier this week, BLACKPINK’s Jennie unveiled the star-studded track list for her upcoming solo album. We’ve already heard her collaboration with Dominic Fike, but she’s also set to partner with Doechii, Dua Lipa, Childish Gambino, Kali Uchis and FKJ. It’s a diverse list of talents, for sure. Doechii’s name stands out in particular, as she’s … Continue reading