ITZY were without their main vocalist for January’s comeback, but still managed to drop an early-2024 highlight with the rugged, exciting Untouchable. Now, Lia has returned to the group and everything’s golden. At least, that’s what their new single Gold seeks to portray. It’s an interesting sonic shift for them, throwing disparate musical elements together … Continue reading
Nomad debuted earlier this year with the groovy No Pressure. I honestly had to go back and re-read my review to remember that song, but after jarring my memory its “no pressure, no diamond” hook quickly wormed its way back in. I suppose this is a testament to its enduring catchiness, even if I personally … Continue reading
Yesterday, WayV told us to “go higher” and now Super Junior-D&E are back with a similar message. The timing is pure coincidence, but it always amuses me when these things happen. Since establishing their own label, the duo have taken even greater control of their music. Judging by Go High‘s approach, that may not be … Continue reading
Kang Daniel has had a dramatic 2024, with his self-created agency Konnect Entertainment folding after five years. His new mini album is credited under Warner Music, which also oversees his Japanese career. I’m not sure what’s next for Kang Daniel the businessman, but I’m glad he’s still releasing music. With that said, new single Electric … Continue reading
Though it has obvious commercial firepower behind it, Teddy and Kush’s The Black Label has also developed a reputation for infrequent comebacks and — at times — dated production choices. With all the talent involved, it’s a bit surprising how little the agency actually does. That work schedule will be tested with the debut of … Continue reading
As one of the earliest purveyors of K-pop’s tropical trend in 2017, KARD quickly developed a signature sound. That’s since shifted as they’ve explored a variety of approaches over the past five years. Hip-hop has been a notable touchstone and their results with the genre have been mixed. New single Tell My Momma takes a … Continue reading
Across their Rania, BP Rania and Blackswan days, this group has been home to a whopping twenty four members. This revolving door has gained some stability in the past few years, with the current line-up performing together since 2022. Roll Up arrives just over a year since their last comeback and sees the group trying … Continue reading
HYBE and Geffen’s American (K-pop adjacent) girl group KATSEYE made a pre-debut last month with the solid but underdeveloped Debut. Less than a month later, they’re back with follow-up Touch, which succumbs to the same issues as its predecessor without developing its own strengths. Like Debut, Touch is a wisp of pop track. At just … Continue reading
Since moving on from Wanna One, the quality of Ha Sungwoon’s solo career has been mixed. For me, his music peaked in 2021 with the one-two punch of Sneakers and Strawberry Gum. New single Blessed takes him down a more aggressive sonic route, but falls apart once it reaches its chorus. By now, anyone with … Continue reading
NTX debuted all the way back in 2021, though their under-the-radar career may have passed many by. Releasing one title track per year hasn’t been a winning formula, even if much of the music has been decent. Most recently, Holy Grail tied a so-so song to a very cool instrumental. New single Problematic struggles on … Continue reading
It’s pretty ballsy to name your single “Hot Mess,” essentially teeing up critics and naysayers if the song is anything less than amazing. But if we’re speaking of “amazing,” aespa already have a super solid track record. And with Supernova‘s incredible chart dominance this spring, the girls seem to have entered an imperial phase. Can … Continue reading
It wouldn’t be a K-pop summer without some random Pepsi ad song. Over the past few years, Starship Entertainment has collaborated with the brand to release innocuous (sometimes decent) releases that see various idols teaming together. This time, IVE take on the challenge by themselves, delivering the “easy, fizzy” Summer Festa. “Baby, you can drink … Continue reading
Through no fault of their own, Everglow have had a tricky time maintaining a stable fanbase do to infrequent comebacks and wild shifts in sound. Last year’s Slay marked a welcome return, though the song itself felt weighed down by dated tropes. Now, the girls have taken a darker approach with the oddly inert Zombie. … Continue reading
I thought about waiting to write a review for One Pact’s FXX OFF (꺼져) until the music video was released, but the situation surrounding it is just too ironic not to explore. The group’s comeback is today and — like many K-pop acts — they’ve gone for a daring, badass sound with a faux-controversial title … Continue reading
TIOT made their pre-debut late last summer with a cover of Click-B’s Unbeatable. That was a great teaser, and now the group has returned with a new member and an official debut song. Rock Thang promises more distorted guitar and bad boy energy, but falls into too many current tropes to work. It took all … Continue reading
Xikers have already established a tradition of including at least one song on each album that I must skip for my own well-being. Last summer, that track was Koong. Now, it has a sibling. I appreciate the energy here and I assume that’s why it would appeal to some listeners. If you enjoy being shouted … Continue reading
It’s a well-worn K-pop trope for bright, happy-go-lucky boy groups to eventually turn dark, brooding and shouty. However, this transformation usually doesn’t happen within the space of a one comeback! After bursting into listeners’ hearts with the buoyant On And On last November, AMPERS&ONE have already succumbed to mind-numbing shout-chanting on new single Broken Heart. … Continue reading
ICHILLIN’ impressed with two killer pre-release tracks earlier this year. They seemed poised for a reinvention that favored intricate, engrossing beats and fiery, attitude-driven hooks. Now that their official title track On My Lips has finally been unveiled, all I can ask is… what happened? The answer — as usual — lies with the producers. … Continue reading
X:IN have not had it easy on this blog, consistently scoring some of the worst ratings. I considered not even writing about new single No Doubt because, why dogpile on a group who is fighting against the tides to be successful? But in the interest of completion, it feels like I need to touch on … Continue reading
Tempest have a new comeback on the horizon, and I’m confident it’ll be good. This confidence comes from math. For whatever reason, the group seems to alternate between songs I love and songs I loath. I’ve cracked the pattern, and after last September’s awful Vroom Vroom we’re in for a Can’t Stop Shining style hit! … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 