Since their rebranding as DKZ in 2022, the artists formerly known as Dongkiz have released a series of songs I barely remember. Somehow, they even managed to make a Sweetune-produced b-side completely forgettable. I fear their quirkiness dissipated with the “dong.” Okay… maybe don’t quote me on that last line… At any rate, DKZ are … Continue reading
I’ve got a serious bone to pick with xikers’ management. Time and time again, they’ve got the group releasing a so-so title track when there are several banger b-sides begging to be promoted instead. Sometimes, they’ll give one of these b-sides follow-up promotion, but often they’re left solely in the hands of fans who buy … Continue reading
A couple of weeks ago, Lucy released an OST that captured my attention. I love when the group colors slightly outside genre lines, bringing in electronic elements to compliment their existing tone. For a few years now, the band’s work has threatened to congeal into one single sound, struggling to find the killer melodies that … Continue reading
It’s a day of boy group dancefloor thumpers, with both 82MAJOR and Close Your Eyes releasing talk-heavy dance tracks. 82MAJOR are more closely associated with hip-hop, so while this transformation makes sense it’s still a notable change in production style. Trophy (트로피) is still very much a hip-hop track but with added club bounce. This … Continue reading
Choerry’s Pressure completes the run of Odd Eye Circle solo tracks that began with Kim Lip’s Can You Entertain. These songs have existed in similar sonic territory — vaguely nostalgic but mostly smooth and stylish. However, the music has become less interesting with each track and Pressure is the least notable of the bunch. While … Continue reading
Over the past seven months, I’ve grown to love Close Your Eyes for their distinct sound and fantastic creative direction. This year’s male rookie groups have done a great job carving out their own niche in the market and although Close Your Eyes have played within different genres their vocal color and quirkiness has made … Continue reading
Boy group WEi have earned some added clout this year thanks to their youngest member Junseo making it through the final of Boys II Planet and into the debuting group Alpha Drive One. Of course, this doesn’t automatically help the rest of WEi since that means he and his popularity are working elsewhere for the … Continue reading
i-dle’s Miyeon is gearing up for her second mini album next month, and like so many before her she’s dropped a pre-release first. Reno pairs her with indie singer-songwriter Colde for a slow-burn slice of musical drama that feels like a performance piece straight from a movie. Opening with a dramatic spoken-word introduction, Reno unfurls … Continue reading
Tempest have pinballed between sounds and concepts, often making hard swerves from light to dark and back again. Their best music succeeds on memorable melodies and unflagging energy. New single In The Dark jettisons the latter to place all its attention on the former. Sometimes I want to be a fly on the wall in … Continue reading
K-pop’s super producers are largely retired, inactive or relegated to working with artists outside the mainstream. This is such a shame, as the industry needs its individual songwriting voices. Few K-pop comebacks these days have a signature sound because most are cobbled together by song camps using the same samples and loops. I miss the … Continue reading
There are a few idol group acronyms I always have to re-research when new material rolls around. While I recognize the name VVUP, I can’t instantly recall one of their songs. Looking back, the group’s song ratings have fallen between a “7” and an “8” on this blog, which explains my confusion. Songs within that … Continue reading
Since signing with from20 and Hello Gloom’s Way Better agency, A.C.E’s Kang Yuchan has debuted as a solo artist and is now returning with his first mini album. This album represents an important milestone for both him and the agency, standing as one of their biggest projects yet. Co-written by Yuchan and Hello Gloom, Close … Continue reading
For me, EXO are one of K-pop’s most important pillars. Their discography often represents the very best of the industry. But if I’m being honest, very little of the members’ solo work has captured my attention. No member has capitalized on the “EXO sound,” choosing instead to pursue different genres and largely forgo the bombast … Continue reading
Since their debut in 2023, BOYNEXTDOOR has steadily built up a large fanbase and this year they’ve continued to branch out to festivals like Lollapalooza. All the while, their music has kept its own color, pulling as much from very old pop genres as it does modern trends. New single Hollywood Action continues this approach … Continue reading
1. Head Shoulders Knees Toes // 2. Overdrive // 3. Hot Blue Shoes // 4. Caffeine Rush // 5. Overthinking // 6. Here For You CAFFEINE RUSH Caffeine Rush is the only completely outsourced song on the new album without any of TWS’s usual composers participating in its creation. Among its composers are two of … Continue reading
I was lucky to be front row at Hwasa’s showcase stage during this year’s KCON LA and that performance crystallized her strengths as an artist. Though I haven’t always loved her solo work, she’s racked up a solid discography of varied material. And with Hwasa’s charismatic execution, nearly anything can turn into a hit. New … Continue reading
MEOVV scored their first long-lasting hit with this spring’s Hands Up — a track that rose to the top thanks to its sheer catchiness and verve. It’s no surprise the group would seek to replicate that sound, and new single Burning Up enlists their usual squad of producers to craft a similar energy. Like Hands … Continue reading
U-Know’s first (!) full album is scheduled for early next month, but prior to that he’s dropped pre-release Body Language to offer a hint of what we might be in for. With over twenty years in the industry, he’s tried his hand at just about every genre you can imagine, but Body Language pairs him … Continue reading
I’m always a bit skeptical about songs called “Rock & Roll” that aren’t from actual rock bands, but if anyone’s got the attitude to drive this style it’s ITZY. They made their name on a brash energy that felt punky even as it was carefully designed by a corporation to appear so. Japanese single Rock … Continue reading
Though ONEWE debuted all the way back in 2019, K-pop is currently experiencing a resurgence of bands and rock music in general. This opens possible inroads that were harder travelled before, though it also means a more stuffed marketplace. Today, they guys are back with their sixth mini album and its sprightly title track Maze. … Continue reading
