Pop music as fantasy can be a lot of fun, and I love some good old-fashioned artifice. That’s why Kingdom’s renaissance faire concept is so appealing. K-pop is uniquely positioned to take advantage of long-form musical storytelling. And even though the group’s debut wasn’t perfect, its embrace of theatricality was much appreciated. However, we can’t … Continue reading
With their return last year, CNBLUE joined the distinguished list of ‘post-enlistment’ idols. Not many K-pop groups last this long, and Korea’s military conscription laws create a natural fork in the road for any male act’s career. At this point, CNBLUE may wish to tweak their sound in search of continued chart relevancy, or simply … Continue reading
IU has bounded from strength to strength this year, holding court on the charts with both Celebrity and Lilac. She remains a constant presence seven months after the release of her album, but it’s time to tie a bow on her 2021 work with a new digital single. Strawberry Moon aims for uplift, and its … Continue reading
In the lead-up to their first (!) full Korean album, Super Junior’s Donghae and Eunhyuk will each be releasing solo tracks. It’s unclear whether these are part of (or separate from) the unit album, but either way it’s a nice treat for fans. Donghae’s California Love enlists the help of NCT’s Jeno. But despite this … Continue reading
LIGHTSUM’s spring debut showed promise, but it’s hard to predict the future of a group based upon a single song. First comebacks are equally important for a rookies, and often give a clearer indication which direction their sound will take. If Vivace is any indication, LIGHTSUM are aiming for the vacancy left by IZ*ONE. When … Continue reading
Jessi’s presence transforms any typical variety show into appointment TV. Her mix of fiery charisma and genuine, approachable sweetness feels so refreshing within an industry often known for its strict adherence to idol-like behavior. Watching Jessi terrorize the ultra-earnest TXT on her YouTube series is one of my personal K-pop highlights of 2021. Get her … Continue reading
The old K-pop fan in me loves to see second-gen producers forging their own agencies and groups. Shinsadong Tiger is a legendary talent within the industry, responsible for so many classic tracks. It’s surprising, then, that his work with TRI.BE has yet to result in anything as strong as his past glories. I blame it … Continue reading
DJ/guitarist Raiden is one of those SM acts who doesn’t get enough attention. Since he’s not a vocalist, his work is often paired with SM idols who sing the melodies over his tracks. This has led to a few great collaborations, my favorite being last year’s Yours with EXO’s Chanyeol, Lee Hi and Changmo. For … Continue reading
As expected, we’re beginning to see the re-debut of former IZ*ONE members. Just like past Produce acts IOI and Wanna One, some of these artists slot into a new or existing group while others make their mark as a soloist. Neither path has guaranteed success, as post-Produce careers tend to be hit or miss. But … Continue reading
CRAXY scored one of my favorite debuts of last year with their bonkers Aria. The group went all out on a splashy music video and a song that changed structure and style at the drop of a hat. I love when K-pop goes weird and over-the-top while retaining a melody worth coming back for. Unfortunately, … Continue reading
I often write about the idea of a “signature sound,” and how important it is to rookie groups. Pixy haven’t yet released a song that’s connected with me, but I appreciate how they stick to their concept. When playing one of their tracks, you know you’re going to get something dark, moody and musically combative. … Continue reading
Stray Kids aren’t offering any respite for fans. Their newest album bore music video after music video, blurring the line between title track and b-side. Now, we have a new Japanese single. I’m sure hardcore followers are pleased by this rapid-fire blitz, but the sheer bulk of releases threatens of overwhelm us bloggers! Either way, … Continue reading
Nearly four months after the release of their first full-length album, N.Flying are back with a repackage. June’s Moonshot seemed to be popular on the blog, and grew on me (a bit) as time went on. But, I’m pretty picky about rock music. I prefer my rock infused with other genres (like electro or hip-hop). … Continue reading
Boy group Blitzers burst onto the scene this spring with a promising rap-rock sound. This genre blend is a tried-and-true formula for success, dating all the way back to Run DMC and Aerosmith’s 80’s encounter. It’s a niche that Blitzers would do well to maintain. No other idol group is consistently exploring it. But if … Continue reading
It’s been years since f(x)’s Luna graced us with her dance opus Free Somebody. That mini album represents so much wasted potential. Her music could have been tearing up dance floors these past five years. Instead, we’re lucky to get an occasional ballad. New single Madonna promises to change that, delivering her most upbeat offering … Continue reading
As a day-one admirer of aespa’s Next Level, I’ve loved watching the song work its way into public consciousness and become one of 2021’s most iconic K-pop tracks. SM Entertainment is clearly angling for an edgier sound for the group, perhaps in an attempt to replicate BLACKPINK’s global success. But so far, their tracks have … Continue reading
At this point, most of my Universe reviews are bleeding into each other. I start by complaining how fans have to download this cumbersome app to view the full music videos, and go on to write about how the music itself feels extraneous to an artist’s discography. So, shall we shake up the format a … Continue reading
Several weeks after pre-release Spicy, CL is back with the second taste of her upcoming album Alpha. Lover Like Me was penned by English singer/songwriter Anne-Marie, who has had tremendous success in Korea with her song 2002. I’m not sure what it is that made 2002 such a massive hit in the country, but it’s … Continue reading
Rather than release double title tracks, JYP Entertainment has been gifting its acts with a variety of music videos, blurring the line between singles and b-sides. In general, I think this is an exciting prospect, but I’m starting to wish the agency invested as much effort in making great music. As I mentioned in my … Continue reading
I was surprised how invested I became with the second season of Japan’s Produce 101. I decided to watch it on a whim, and found myself rooting for the contestants in a way I hadn’t since Korea’s second go-around back in 2017. I’m delighted with the final line-up, particularly since it includes a few killer … Continue reading
