We’re only two days into the new year, but K-pop has already delivered a new debut… of sorts. Top Gang feels more like a pre-release for boy group MCND, and the song was first performed on music shows last month. I’m not sure what MCND’s eventual concept will be, but I’m hoping that this track … Continue reading
Though I never had a chance to cover it, EXID’s Japanese debut album bore some interesting fruit this spring. I especially enjoyed their willingness to explore a variety of retro beats, which has always been one of my favorite aspects of their music. With the group on indefinite hiatus, new J-pop single Bad Girl For … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Walk On Memories (from The War / Power Of Music – 2017) Sometimes, it can be hard to distinguish these mid-tempo EXO r&b tracks from one another. Walk On Memories doesn’t do much that would set it apart from similar efforts. The … Continue reading
Despite the tense political climate between the countries, rookie K-pop acts are making Japanese debuts earlier and earlier these days. ONEUS haven’t even been around for a year and they’ve already released two J-pop singles. The first was a Japanese version of their Korean track Twilight. The second is 808, the group’s first original J-pop … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Twenty Four (from For Life – 2016) I can tell you right now, I have absolutely zero interest in a trap Christmas song. Twenty Four’s concept feels like the worst of trend-chasing, and it results in a forgettable entry to EXO’s winter … Continue reading
After a busy 2018, BoA’s been pretty quiet this year. Her special spring single Feedback came and went with little fanfare, but the change of seasons brings new material. Her mini album Starry Night seems poised to soundtrack winter, positioning her normally upbeat sound within a more subdued framework. And when it comes to subdued … Continue reading
I never thought I’d see the day when three-fourths of 2NE1 would release new music at the same time. Granted, none of these songs seem as if they’ll be actively promoted, but between CL’s continued digital releases and this holiday duet from Bom and Dara, it almost feels like old times. Come on, girls… just … Continue reading
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
Seeing U-Kwon’s name pop up on the K-pop release slate made me remember his group Block B for the first time in a while, and also made me realize how gradual their decline has been. Though not disbanded, the group seems to be in a state of purgatory, with some of its members in the … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! One And Only (from Ex’Act / Lotto – 2016) Melding retro synths with airhorns (!), One And Only’s introduction is a little disorienting. It’s the odd track that manages to feel both languid and brisk, thanks to an insistent beat underlined by … Continue reading
Over the course of their two-year career, Seven O’Clock’s music has been nearly as faceless as their group name. That’s not to say it’s all been bad. Their 2018 mini album was actually quite strong, with double title tracks that both deserved more hype than they received. But, the group suffers from an under-the-radar stature … Continue reading
With Tattoo, The Boyz have made an odd move. The song is targeted at the Japanese market, yet 99% of it is performed in the Korean language. I’m not complaining – especially since I think pop music is best when delivered in its native tongue – but this is a mystifying approach, and one I … Continue reading
Last year, Yubin was at the forefront of K-pop’s city pop revival, releasing a pair of retro songs that found a small – but passionate – audience. Before the unveiling of new single Silent Movie (무성영화), she hinted that the song would take a more subdued approach. If you’re anything like me, “subdued” is not … Continue reading
For a group that most would consider to be under-the-radar, VAV have enjoyed a surprisingly consistent promotion calendar. They’ve already released over a dozen singles/music videos since their 2015 debut. Despite having a lot to choose from, I’ve run real hot and cold with their music. They’re one of those groups that just doesn’t have … Continue reading
Like too many groups of the new K-pop generation, 1THE9 has an expiration date looming over their heads. That’s the drawback of being formed through a competition survival show. You get the initial exposure, but once your project group has finished its contract, all bets are off. 1THE9 are nearing the end of their 12-month … Continue reading
I have a playlist on my phone called “K-pop for People Who Hate K-pop.” It’s stuffed with the least offensive music I can imagine, designed for use when in mixed company. K-pop’s wilder ambitions aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. American-sounding, coffeehouse-type tunes that just happen to be performed in Korean tend to become affable … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! December, 2014 (The Winter’s Tale) (from Exology Chapter 1: The Lost Planet – 2014) Released as a special winter track on the group’s first concert album, December, 2014 is an easy EXO song to overlook. It’s a standard r&b ballad, driven by … Continue reading
I know that I start every Great Guys review with a statement about how lame their group name is, but it just gets more ridiculous the more serious and brooding their music becomes. It fit the bright bounciness of this spring’s Dang, but seems at odds with the sexiness of new single Be On You. … Continue reading
Whether as album tracks or digital singles, the members of Mamamoo have each had their time to shine as soloists. Most of their material has played to the girls’ strengths, which means cool hip-hop for Moonbyul, sassy dance pop and slinky r&b for Hwasa and emotive ballads for Solar and Wheein. There’s nothing wrong with … Continue reading
After their incredible 2018 success, Momoland are in the process of navigating the tricky business of follow-ups. Their name is known throughout Asia, and they’ve attempted to capitalize on that by recording material aimed at different regions. When it comes to Japan, they’ve already exhausted their most notable Korean output, recording versions of Bboom Bboom … Continue reading
