E’Last’s Dark Dream took awhile to grow on me, but once it did I found myself quite engrossed in its dramatic, symphonic sound. That song struggled with a shifting of energy and structure, but always brought things back with its knockout chorus. Because of this, I was ready for anything the group dished out with … Continue reading
When Lovelyz went on indefinite hiatus last year, all members except leader Babysoul went their separate ways. She – now going by her given name Lee Sujeong – elected to stay with Woollim Entertainment as a soloist. Never mind the agency’s uneven reputation when it comes to their senior artists. But, just months after splitting … Continue reading
VERIVERY are hitting us with rapid-fire comebacks. A few weeks ago they returned with r&b slow-jam ‘O’ – a song I’ve enjoyed more each time I play it. This served as a prelude to the release of their first full album, which also acts as the conclusion of their multi-part ‘O’ series. Sadly, this concept … Continue reading
A few weeks ago, new boy group YOUNITE teased their debut with pre-release track Everybody. Its playful hip-hop sound was super engaging and made room for an equally enjoyable chorus. With so many boy groups opting for a dark, gun-slinging shout-pocalypse style, YOUNITE seemed to be a fresh group worth looking forward to. However, when … Continue reading
In honor of Kis-My-Ft2’s complete videography being uploaded to YouTube (in edited form, of course…), I can’t resist writing about each single. To put this in context for Bias List readers, Kis-My-Ft2 (or Kisumai, as they’re often known) are my J-pop version of Infinite. That’s how much I love them and their discography. Yet, I … Continue reading
It seems every big K-pop group must have their English-language single these days — or at minimum a song directly targeted toward international markets. This is an exciting development for many, but it comes with its own challenges. I don’t begrudge K-pop artists’ global success. I just hope they find it on their own terms … Continue reading
Universe app reviews have a Bias List history of being a little… different. It’s my not-so-subtle way of combating at the app-ification of music. Last time, we enjoyed a gif-heavy review of Eunbi’s Universe classic. This time, I’m taking cues from La La Pop‘s melodious title to present a review comprised entirely of audio reactions. … Continue reading
It’s cool that SM Entertainment has kept its digital Station platform going. The idea launched around the same time The Bias List did, offering an avenue for the agency’s artists to expand their catalog by tackling new genres and collaborating with talent from around the industry. Love Theory pairs NCT’s Taeyong with K-hip-hop artist Wonstein. … Continue reading
Thus far, rookies EPEX have delivered contrasting concepts, debuting with the boisterous hip-hop of Lock Down before segueing into the cutesy funk pop of Do 4 Me. It’s all part of their “Prelude to Anxiety” series – whatever that’s supposed to mean. At least one thing is true: new single Anthem Of Teen Spirit (학원歌) … Continue reading
The pool for K-pop idol group names has been so emptied that agencies are simply grafting random letters, numbers and symbols together. I’m going to quote ILY:1’s fandom page because I’m kind of obsessed with how much this reads as parody: “Their name is a combination of the word “I” and suffix “-ly,” while the … Continue reading
EXO’s Suho completed his military service earlier this year and has quickly returned with a new solo album. Last time we heard from him, he delivered the soft-rock balladry of Let’s Love. The song did incredibly well, establishing his voice outside of EXO. I’m all for K-pop members exploring a more rock-infused sound, but the … Continue reading
When Kingdom debuted last year, I couldn’t help but be impressed by their ambition. Not only did they have a unique concept, but their rollout promised seven albums – each centered around the lore of a different member. Coming from a small agency, I questioned whether they’d have the resources to see this plan through. … Continue reading
I’d like to think NINE.i’s name is so literal that it means the members have nine eyes (five members + an eye patch?). But alas, there are ten members. That makes twenty eyes and a bit of confusion on my part. Upon further research, it looks like NINE.i (inexplicably) stands for “Everyday NEW.i.” Um. What? … Continue reading
Despite their rookie status, BAE173 haven’t released much music. We last heard from them nearly a year ago, when they delivered the anthemic Loved You. That song wasn’t perfect, but it had a classic touch and melodic though-line that made it stand out. With new single Jaws, the group has switched gears dramatically, opting for … Continue reading
Majors’ agency is banking on an interesting promotional approach. Rather than put all their eggs in one basket, the group’s comebacks have delivered dual title tracks – each inspired by a different genre. They’ve cast their net wide, which has some advantages. For example, I’m more inclined toward the EDM of Giddy Up than the … Continue reading
At this point, I’ve given up on NCT’s title tracks delivering anything beyond the same ‘shout over bass-heavy distortion’ schtick. So, I’ll temper my thoughts with this in mind. Comparing a song like Glitch Mode (버퍼링) to My First And Last, Superhuman or Highway To Heaven is useless. They’re not even trying to do the … Continue reading
When it rains, it pours – and Red Velvet fans are feasting on new music this month. Not only did the group make a long-awaited comeback last week, but their first full Japanese album also looms on the horizon. Before we get there, the ladies have revealed new J-pop single Wildside. SM artists have a … Continue reading
After their debut in 2018, D-Crunch have reliably delivered one comeback per year. No more, no less. This makes it challenging to gain a foothold or a fanbase, but I admire their consistency. Their title tracks have all been solid, though none has enjoyed a long reign on my own playlist. New song Addiction (중독) … Continue reading
A week after its release, I’m feeling pretty ambivalent about Stray Kids’ Maniac. Like many recent tracks, its plusses and minuses cancel each other out and result in music that’s perfectly… fine. This indifferent impression carries through the entire mini album. The songs are generally okay, but there’s nothing pulling me back for repeat listens … Continue reading
Much has been written about the “girl crush” branding that’s taken over K-pop these past few years. Songs within this style have been around for decades, so I’m not sure we can call this a new sub-genre. But, the general template for a “girl crush” track has quickly become oversaturated, making it easy for these … Continue reading
