Last time MCND made a comeback, they pre-released a track that turned out to be even stronger than the actual single. I’m not sure if Pop Star portends an eventual comeback, but it’s always nice to hear from the group. If you liked BOYNEXTDOOR’s recent trio of tracks, Pop Star should work for you too. … Continue reading
Wow, it’s been a loooong time since I’ve written about a new single from Zhoumi. He picked a hell of a day to make a long-awaited comeback with SM Entertainment! I can’t help but feel bad for the guy. New single Mañana pairs him with Super Junior’s Eunhyuk, a member he used to work with … Continue reading
The Boyz’ Japanese discography includes some of their best and worst material. New single Delicious leads their upcoming album and splits the difference between these extremes. It’s unlikely to inspire much excitement, but its laidback groove won’t ruffle many feathers either. When first watching this video on YouTube, the algorithm immediately played the chorus of … Continue reading
BOYNEXTDOOR have approached their debut in a similar way to NewJeans, releasing a series of songs and music videos in the lead up to their single album. It’s an exciting way to unveil new talent, though the rollout hasn’t felt nearly as buzzy this time around. After a strong opening salvo, I was less impressed … Continue reading
AB6IX offered an sleek, fashionable vision when they first debuted in 2019, but as the years have gone on I’ve struggled to maintain excitement in their music. Part of this is down to lack of consistency. They’ve struggled to maintain a definable sound and musical perspective, which makes a lot of their work feel generic. … Continue reading
The most notable aspect of CIX’s Save Me, Kill Me is its music video, which brings back the “drama storyline” approach many older K-pop mvs used to favor. It’s angsty and over-the-top and grabs attention. Unfortunately, this drama needs a better soundtrack. Save Me, Kill Me is a real slog. It’s like BTS’s I Need … Continue reading
BOYNEXTDOOR’s extended roll-out continues with their second pre-release One And Only. I liked their first song just fine, even if it felt a bit unassuming given the powerful backing of Zico + HYBE. I’m heartened to see a big-name boy group debut with music that has a lighter, bouncier touch. But, One And Only delivers … Continue reading
With the K-pop market as crowded as it is, there are bound to be plenty of groups whose music becomes difficult to distinguish from their peers. Secret Number fall into this category, with a discography that constantly changes style. I can’t point to any element that makes them stick out from the pack, even if … Continue reading
I don’t always cover new Jay Park music on the blog, but Candy offers the kind of funk-pop sound I tend to be interested in. It also pairs him with vocalist Zion.T — a name we don’t hear all that often anymore. They make a powerful duo, even if Candy sets its ambitions relatively low. … Continue reading
Though KARD are quite successful in various parts of the world, they’ve expressed a desire to cement their fanbase in Korea. As one of the industry’s only co-ed groups, they seem perfectly poised to fill a gap in the market. But after the many high points of their initial rollout, I’ve struggled to connect with … Continue reading
While it might not be fair or realistic, I’ll always compare idol-rappers-turned-soloists to Bigbang’s G-Dragon. That’s a product of my age, but it’s also testament to how compelling and genre-blending GD’s work was. He wrote the template, and you can feel his influence all over songs like Joohoney’s debut solo single Freedom. At the risk … Continue reading
After a promising April, the K-pop industry has me back in the doldrums. Too many songs are feeling disposable these days — catchy and stylish but lacking the indelible melodies and striking centerpieces that forge a long-enduring classic. “Fast fashion” has never felt so apt a descriptor for the industry, and ENHYPEN’s new Bite Me … Continue reading
Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve written about Blackswan! This group has suffered more member changes than I can count, and the current line-up is another refresh from their 2021 configuration. Only leader Fatou remains. This constant change makes it difficult to feel any kinship toward Blackswan. You don’t want to get too … Continue reading
ATBO are one of a few newer boy groups whose music feels interchangeable to me. They’ve delivered one unique highlight, but their ever-changing sound is very much “Boy Group 101.” It’s as if their singles discography is a collection of songs from the concept round of an audition show. They could be performed by anyone. … Continue reading
After a super-strong pre-debut single, I’ve struggled to connect with anything else rookie group YOUNITE has released. Like so many current boy groups, their music so far feels like a lukewarm blend of tropes and trends without memorable songwriting to back it up. New single Waterfall hearkens back to the lighter sound palette of their … Continue reading
Even before Lovelyz went on hiatus, Lee Mijoo began to develop a side career as a colorful variety star. She’s seemed ready for solo stardom for awhile, and that day has finally come with the release of Movie Star. Movie Star plays things straighter than some might have expected, delivering a thumping electro track with … Continue reading
After dropping their pre-release Allergy last week, (G)I-DLE are back with their newest title track Queencard (퀸카). These two songs are linked thematically, but their overall sound is also consistent. The group has built upon the success of last year’s Tomboy, taking rock elements and giving them a fashionable K-pop sheen. This works well when … Continue reading
This kind of pre-debut song isn’t usually something I’d write about in detail, but Dream is the first musical taste of YG Entertainment’s new girl group BABYMONSTER and that feels like a big deal. With a name like BABYMONSTER, I expected the girls to come out swinging with some bombastic, attitude-infused track. I’m sure that … Continue reading
We’re nearing the summer months, when K-pop tends to get a bit brighter and more upbeat. I’m a longtime proponent of idol music that sounds and feels fun, and rookie group Aimers seem to be headed in that direction. None of their previous music has clicked with me, and new single Bubble doesn’t change that. … Continue reading
ICHILLIN are trying to confuse us! Less than two months ago, they returned with a song called Alarm. Now, they’re back with another one called Siren! I sense a theme here… I wasn’t a fan of Alarm, but Siren has some bite to it. As always, I’d prefer a robust, melodic chorus over the beat-drop/sing-talk hook … Continue reading
