In the lead up to his second mini album, EXO’s D.O. has pre-released the gentle I Do (별 떨어진다). If past songs are any indication, “gentle” is likely to be an apt descriptor for this album. Like many idols-turned-solo, D.O. seems to prefer this light, coffeehouse sound. But unlike some idols, D.O. has the vocal … Continue reading
While some BTS members have aimed straight for the top of the charts with their solo work, others have taken a more niche route that compliments their personal taste. In V’s case, that means an album of lo-fi, smooth jazzy sounds. It’s clearly a style he enjoys and it works well with his voice, even … Continue reading
What to do when you’ve been in the industry for sixteen years? FTIsland are elder statesmen of K-pop, respected for their consistency and longevity. It’s been a good six or seven years since their music has excited me, but I respect their dedication. New single Sage sounds much like you’d expect it to — an … Continue reading
Vocal lovers, unite! After terrorizing us with their baggy jeans, the NCT universe has paired members Taeil and Haechan for a jazzy midtempo that lets their voices shine. I’m not crazy about N.Y.C.T as a song, but it encourages you to lean back, put your feet up and enjoy its beautiful soundscape. SM Entertainment’s next … Continue reading
DKZ’s Jaechan recieved a big boost in popularity thanks to his starring role in BL drama Semantic Error, buoying the fate of his group alongside his own career. So, it only makes sense that he’d venture into solo work. After August’s pre-release Time, he’s unveiled his first title track Hello. Popularity aside, not every idol … Continue reading
Lee Chaeyeon’s Knock experienced unexpected longevity on the charts, lodging its catchy hook in many listeners’ brains. She’s found her niche in quirky dance pop, which perfectly compliments the musical perspective of her agency WM Entertainment. New single Let’s Dance seeks to build on this success by smoothing the edges and delivering an explosive energy … Continue reading
Xodiac’s music has been a mixed bag thus far. The chanted Throw A Dice sent my head spinning, while the fizzy pop of Special Love delivered a welcome sugar rush. Pre-release Lemonade lands somewhere in the middle, pulling elements from both extremes. On its face, Lemonade is a groovy mid-tempo with strong hip-hop elements and … Continue reading
After releasing the rocky Let It Be Summer last week, Young K is back with the title track to his first full album. Nothing But (이것밖에는 없다) tones things down, echoing the more pensive guitar rock of his band DAY6. I’m sure longtime fans will be delighted to hear this sound make a return, but … Continue reading
I didn’t write about Kim Sejeong’s late-August pre-release, but appreciated its lilting sound and Celtic influences. It certainly made me curious which direction she would take for the title track of her first full album. Thus far, her solo music has been all over the place, pulled together by the strength of her vocals. Top … Continue reading
Prior to the release of their new album this month, CRAVITY have shared the summery mid-tempo Cheese. That title conjures all sorts of… well… cheesy ideas in my mind, but the track itself is rather subdued. It’s certainly not among their strongest material, but the vibe is nice. I’ll echo a frequent Bias List critique … Continue reading
Generic as it may be, I still love Jeon Somi’s Fast Forward. It’s fun to hear club music infiltrate K-pop and she makes a convincing dance diva. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is grab bag of genres — some more fitting than others. This is evidenced by opening track — and follow-up single — … Continue reading
ONEWE have taken an interesting approach to military enlistment, continuing to release music no matter how many (or few) members are left in their group at any moment. Salty Boy is a project track between Dongmyeong, Giuk and Harin — one half of a special single album that gives these guys some room to stretch … Continue reading
Isn’t it kind of cruel to release a song called “Let It Be Summer” just as we’re entering the last few weeks of summer? I mean, you don’t have to rub it in, Young K! This is a pre-release track from Young K’s upcoming full album. It’s a straightforward rocker, moving forward on pummeling guitar … Continue reading
Secret Number have averaged two comebacks a year, displaying a sonic versatility that makes their music hard to pin down. Not all of these songs have been equally successful, but I’m always curious to see what they’ll do next. New single Starlight gives them a spacey, synthy makeover. When this video first started, I thought … Continue reading
For her second mini album, ex-GFriend member Yerin has gone down a trendy synthpop route. Despite being leveraged by every idol act imaginable, this sound still holds appeal to me. Its nostalgic vibe works especially well for soloists, letting classic melodies and chugging beats take center stage. Unfortunately, Bambambam (밤밤밤) feels like an amateur version … Continue reading
Freed from YG Entertainment’s clutches, iKON are now releasing music with greater frequency. Panorama arrives just months after the group’s latest album and sees the guys working with new collaborators. However, the track retains iKON’s classic sound. At its best, Panorama works as a pleasant, sing-song mid-tempo that showcases a lighter side of iKON’s musical … Continue reading
NCT’s annual bring-everyone-together project promises two title tracks, with Golden Age up first. And when you think about it, this may just be the most NCT song yet. By attempting to smash together every aspect of their sound into a single three-and-a-half minute track, it certainly doesn’t lack ambition. But does the mash-up work? I … Continue reading
When it comes to her solo work, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon has offered a sampler platter of dance genres. With new single Picture, she’s moved into dancehall sounds. This is a good match for her charismatic performance style, and she imbues an otherwise simple track with plenty of character. Picture has a dark, mysterious magnetism. Its … Continue reading
Back in 2014, I played AKMU’s debut album relentlessly. Their music felt so fresh and different, maintaining a pop edge while tackling quirky sounds and ideas that appealed equally to idol fans and indie aficionados. Since then, the duo has moved through an impressive breadth of styles, most recently on 2021’s Next Episode album. After … Continue reading
Primrose debuted as a duo this January, became a solo act in March and are now a four-member group. That’s a ton of change for a rookie act! Eagle-eyed viewers may notice Hot Issue’s Nahyun and bugAboo’s Rainie among the new members. Somehow, Primrose has become a super group — collecting performers from fallen idol … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 