I still can’t get over the name “Young Posse.” It sounds like something that would’ve been part of an original Disney Channel series — hip-hop as viewed by middle-aged executives. The group’s gimmicky Macaroni Cheese didn’t help alleviate these concerns, but to their credit Young Posse have gone straight to the K-hip-hop well with their … Continue reading
I keep seeing headlines about how well BABYMONSTER’s Batter Up has done with streams and views. The amount of interaction and hits on my review of the song bear that popularity out. Admittedly, I’m surprised there’s still such an appetite for this specific YG Entertainment song template. The debut of a new YG act is … Continue reading
(G)I-DLE’s music has gone through many transformations — most recently in the form of the polarizing, meme-ready Wife. Regardless of genre, their title tracks have become known for their catchphrases. Leader and composer Soyeon loves a concept, and nuance isn’t really her thing. Whether they’re a wife, a tomboy, a queen or a nude, the … Continue reading
After a promising pre-debut single, rookie group POW’s subsequent songs didn’t hit me as hard. Their agency seems to be throwing many different sounds at the wall, which is always a tricky prospect when a group is first starting out. New single Valentine switches things up yet again, playing around with tempo and tone but … Continue reading
Kim Jaehwan continues to move away from the balladeer his early title tracks suggested. His albums have often dabbled in funk music, but it’s cool to see him embrace the genre on title tracks. New single Ponytail comes across as a natural follow-up to last year’s Lucky. This is a more reserved take on the … Continue reading
We’ve reached the end of ATEEZ’s sub-unit/solo music video releases with Jongho’s Everything. Out of all the members, I’m most curious to hear what Jongho can do on his own. As the group’s main vocal, he’s in charge of the stirring power notes that help make their music so dramatic. In a perfect world, Everything … Continue reading
While fellow Boys Planet alum ZEROBASEONE opted for a lighter sound, EVNNE debuted with the edgier beats of Trouble. That song didn’t do much for me, though I appreciated its energy. Ugly faces a similar dilemma. Its thumping beat is incredibly addictive, but the composers have neglected to form much of a song around it. … Continue reading
It’s become more common than not for marquee K-pop acts to pre-release material before unveiling their title track. At best, this allows for more left-field songs to gain attention, broadening the sound and texture of an artist’s discography. At worst, it waters down the power of a flawless, all-killer-no-filler singles run. Wife will be the … Continue reading
English-language songs and Western artist collaborations are commonplace in today’s K-pop market, but this feels like one of the industry’s more random products. IVE have teamed up with American rapper Saweetie for a cover of Swedish duo Icona Pop’s 2013 hit All Night. Here’s the thing… I would love if K-pop’s girl groups started making … Continue reading
DXMON (pre)debuted earlier this month with cool hairstyles but a song that echoed many of K-pop’s familiar shouty boy group tropes. I had my fingers crossed they’d have something new up their sleeves for their official debut track, but although Spark brings the intensity down a bit it suffers from many of the same issues … Continue reading
ATEEZ’s weekly sub-unit music videos continue with Yunho and Mingi’s Youth. Thus far, the tracks have mainly played within the group’s usual sonic territory, but Youth lowers the energy to craft a wispy, occasionally jazzy, mid-tempo. This sound isn’t what I’d expect from Yunho or Mingi, and that alone adds a spike of interest. I … Continue reading
Pentagon’s Hui enters his solo career with the wind at his back, boosted by prominent Boys Planet promotion last year. He’s the rare idol soloist who can confidently compose his own material, though I’ve felt he often gives his best songs to other acts. Hmm Bop sees him taking on a boisterous funk personality, and … Continue reading
tripleS’s various sub-units have blitzed through several styles while maintaining the same general vibe. Now it’s time for a unit focused on balladry. It is the winter season, after all! Korea loves nothing more than a ballad during the cold winter months. tripleS Aria are happy to oblige, delivering the pretty — but dull — … Continue reading
Along with labelmates ITZY, NMIXX’s album has been preceded by a few pre-releases. First was December’s Soñar (Breaker), a song that has grown on me since its initial release. Then came Run For Roses, one of the group’s most striking songs yet. Pre-releases are a good way to build momentum, but they can also put … Continue reading
BXB recently offered their own take on Turbo’s 90’s classic The Black Cat Nero, a song that was also covered by ATEEZ a few years back. While it’s always nice to hear rookies honor legends of years past, the cover was an odd teaser for BXB’s newest project. Airplane sees the group taking a different … Continue reading
Limelight leapfrogged up my “Top K-pop Rookies” list last year on the strength of one song. Madeleine emerged last summer as shimmering counterprogramming to many of 2023’s trends. Its bold melodies and propulsive sound only grew more addictive with time, and made me long for a future where Limelight built upon this success with even … Continue reading
2024 is bounding out of the gate with debuts. ALL(H)OURS is the latest in a string of new groups, each competing for their own sliver of the market. It’s been a mixed bag so far, with Waker being my favorite of the bunch this month. As I often say, the guys of ALL(H)OURS seem to … Continue reading
Following last week’s MATZ, IT’s You is the second ATEEZ unit track from their recent album to be given a music video. In my mind, unit tracks should be used to expand a group’s sound, delivering niche genre experiments that suit whichever members are participating. That didn’t exactly happen on The World Ep.Fin: Will, and … Continue reading
Before December 2022, Minho was the only SHINee member without a solo album to his name. His music continues to be released in drips and drabs, taking a far more understated approach compared to his bandmates. SHINee tend to offer something for everyone, and if you like softer, coffeehouse fair you’ve found the right guy … Continue reading
Every once and awhile, a favorite act releases a song that simply lands with a thud. For me, Love Trigger is that song for Snow Man. I’m a big Snow Man fan. They often appear near the top of my year-end J-pop lists and I find the group endlessly entertaining. Their musical output has been … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 