Debuting a K-pop group is fraught with difficulty even under the best circumstances, but it seems especially ambitious to launch a rookie during a time when promotional opportunities are limited. The industry is rightfully taking a lot of health precautions right now, which means that MY.st’s promos will largely be digital. Still, agencies can’t wait … Continue reading
I fondly remember watching YG’s Who Is Next variety show back in 2013. At the time, I was a supporter of Team B, who would eventually go on to become iKON. But, when Winner debuted in the summer of 2014 I was completely won over. Their first album had a more subdued energy than their … Continue reading
It’s been over a year since Favorite released a single, which is a lifetime when it comes to a group of their standing. They could certainly use an influx of new fans, and the best way of doing that is to release (good) music frequently. Last year’s Loca was a step in the right direction, … Continue reading
Despite only being home to two artists, MNH Entertainment has kicked off a digital platform similar to SM Entertainment’s Station. New.wav mirrors Station’s execution, if not its scope, offering a chance for the agency’s artists to showcase strengths that might not usually poke through in their title tracks. For girl group BVNDIT, that meant tackling … Continue reading
It’s been a staggering twenty months since Elris’s last promoted comeback. That kind of lengthy hiatus is often a death knell for idol groups. At the very least, it necessitates an impactful return. A certain percentage of Elris’s fan base will hopefully remain loyal, but for many casual fans, this kind of long-awaited comeback might … Continue reading
I’m going to give you a spoiler right off the bat. I’ve listened to all five solo songs on AB6IX’s special mini album and there’s only one I like. It probably won’t take too much sleuthing to uncover which track that is, especially if you’ve been reading The Bias List long enough to know my … Continue reading
Rather than opt for a full-fledged comeback, AB6IX have released a digital album that compiles solo tracks by each of the members. Logistically, I understand why Brand New Music decided on this approach. There was the looming matter of their (now-cancelled) European tour, followed by U.S. stops in the spring. And from all accounts, member … Continue reading
Friends, we have entered a parallel universe where every K-pop boy group just releases the same song over and over. After a 2019 that saw some brighter fare make inroads to this internationally-focused industry, the first few weeks of 2020 have reveled in the dark and angsty. Despite my continuous complaining about this style, I … Continue reading
Brave Sound’s new boy group has been teased for some time, but now DKB are officially upon us. Unlike last year, 2020 hasn’t seen all that many notable debuts so far. Brave Brothers’ cache isn’t what it once was, but he’s still a producer with name recognition who can churn out reliably solid hits. Debut … Continue reading
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
