K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! Love Bug (from Time For The Moon Night – 2018) We’ve entered the segment of this feature that will cover songs starting with the word “love.” There are five of them in GFriend’s discography (seven if you count “luv” and L.U.V” as … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! LOL (from LOL – 2016) Ah, the literal title track of GFriend’s first album. I always thought it would be funny if this had been a ballad given its title, but true to form LOL is a burst of K-pop joy. The … Continue reading
It’s been a good long while since CLASS:y last released music in Korea, and although they have a decent-sized singles run, I couldn’t tell you how a single song sounds off the top of my head. Such is the rapid pace and oversaturation of the K-pop market, I guess. New single Psycho & Beautiful sees … Continue reading
ATEEZ’s career has been divided neatly into series: Treasure, Fever, The World, and now Golden Hour. I’m sure hardcore fans will be able to identify sounds and storylines that make each series unique, but to the casual listener the group has retained many of its musical hallmarks across all these eras, favoring sonic bombast and … Continue reading
When the credits for Jin’s new album were unveiled, my eyes immediately fell upon one name: Gary Barlow. I would have never expected to see the British Take That member’s credit on a K-pop release. Barlow has written a fair amount of fantastic music, but his taste also tends to be a bit milquetoast. Of … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! Life Is A Party (from Parallel/Rainbow – 2017) Previous Thoughts: “Life Is A Party is a fluffy little throwback, driven by retro synths, bass guitar and a repeated drum loop. In some ways, it’s quite restrained, yet offers a take on the … Continue reading
Though I haven’t often loved Bibi’s music the way others do, she was a fantastic addition to this year’s KCON LA and offered a contrasting style to many of the festival’s idol acts. She’s also a bundle of charisma, able to captivate with simply a whisper or sigh. New single Derre (데레) capitalizes on this … Continue reading
When last we heard from Primrose, they teased us with a Nordic title and imagery only to deliver the same cacophonous stomp favored by many of their peers. Freyja was a letdown, for sure. However, they’re back with yet another new sound. Steal Heart is a far funkier effort that puts great focus on their … Continue reading
After LOONA dissolved and re-formed as acts like Loossemble and ARTMS, Yves made her solo debut earlier this year. The stylish Loop offered plenty of potential but succumbed to so-so songwriting that failed to leave much of a mark. Now, she’s back with the Viola and she’s brought the beat with her. As soon as Viola … Continue reading
I had a dream last night that I went back to listen to ILLIT’s Cherish (My Love) and there was this whole new layer of production on its instrumental I’d never noticed before — including a prominent violin solo. During the dream, I wondered why I hadn’t loved the song on first listen. Upon waking … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! Letter In My Pocket (from Pokémon the Movie XY&Z: Volcanion and the Exquisite Magearna OST – 2016) Of course GFriend recorded a Pokémon OST! I mean, who better to do that? Better yet, it was released during their stellar 2016 run, drawing … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! Labyrinth (from Labyrinth – 2020) Previous Thoughts: “The track draws strong influence from J-pop, but not the kind of ornate, wistful fare that inspired GFriend’s new single Crossroads. Instead, Labyrinth hearkens back to the high-energy techno of the late 90’s – one … Continue reading
Stray Kids released two songs from their upcoming album last month, but neither of these was promoted with a music video. Title track Giant arrives as the album’s first big push right as the full project is unveiled. Fans of the group’s more disruptive side will find plenty to enjoy, as the song rumbles with … Continue reading
I adored Lovelyz while they were active, but I don’t think I fully appreciated them until their style of lush, melodic girl group pop fell out of favor. Nowadays, there simply isn’t a K-pop group like them. The industry’s musical focus has changed so completely, leaving their discography as an enticing time capsule. Today, it’s … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! La Pam Pam (from Fallin’ Light – 2019) Previous Thoughts: “The first few moments of La Pam Pam are absolutely divine. Eunha delivers a gorgeous solo that opens the track on a mysterious note. I don’t think the higher part of her … Continue reading
Album repackages are common in K-pop, but it’s been four months since the original release of ENHYPEN’s latest album, making this revisit feel more like a brand new comeback. No Doubt continues the laidback vibe of its predecessor XO (Only If You Say Yes), upping the tempo a bit but refusing to break free of … Continue reading
Last week, NCT Dream unveiled pre-release Flying Kiss, which was… half a good song. Its verses and chorus existed on a different plane from one another, but its best moments offered a peek at what we might hear on the group’s full album. Title track When I’m With You never hits the heights of Flying … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! L.U.V. (from Time For Us – 2019) Whenever I see this track pop up I want to sing the classic Apink song of the same name. GFriend’s L.U.V. is quite different but includes the requisite spelling you tend to get with a … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! It’s You (from Time For Us – 2019) I find GFriend’s second album pretty hit-or-miss, and this unfortunately falls into the latter category. The song is just not that interesting, trudging along an uneventful mid-tempo groove that blends muted synths with trap … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 