Thus far, AleXa has made her name on high-octane dance tracks, designed primarily to showcase her choreography and concept. It’s somewhat surprising, then, that she’s returned with a stripped-down ballad. Of course, it is the winter season, and January has a history of being very ballad-heavy when it comes to K-pop. I imagine that AleXa’s … Continue reading
After a Produce X 101 fueled boost, Victon have steadily released music and built a re-energized fan base. Sadly, I don’t think their A&R team and I have the same taste, because very few of their title tracks have appealed to me. Longtime readers will know what a stickler I am for “signature sounds,” and … Continue reading
KEEMBO’s Love Me 4 Me caps off an underwhelming week of K-pop releases. I’d be lying if I said my mind was really on K-pop anyway, given the events of this first week of 2021. But, I do appreciate when the industry kicks off the new year with a bang. I still remember when SM … Continue reading
As is typical with Big Hit-related groups, rookies ENHYPEN are following up their title track Given-Taken with a music video for another song from their album. If it were me, I would have chosen to promote 10 Months, but I’m clearly not in charge here. Instead, the video for the mysteriously-titled Let Me In (20 … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! You Are My Destiny (Luna & Krystal) (from Chu – 2009) Previewing the sentimental style they’d bring to many OST releases, You Are My Destiny is a standard K-ballad performed by two powerhouse vocalists. In that regard, it’s an enjoyable showcase for … Continue reading
Though Taeyeon is still an idol performer by definition, her music has slowly transitioned to sounds I would expect from independent artists. While this has garnered her credibility in many circles, it’s not the type of thing I tend to gravitate to. It’s been over a year since a new Taeyeon release has really sparked … Continue reading
Earlier in the year, ONEWE added an EDM layer to their moody rock sound, delivering the potent End Of Spring. They followed this up with the relatively forgettable Parting. And now, nearly two seasons later, they’re back with a song befitting December. A Book In Memory (기억 속 한 권의 책) slows things down for … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! The Truth Is (Shh!) (from Juloring Animal Detectives OST – 2010) Earlier in this feature, I remarked on how unadventurous f(x)’s OST songs were compared to their album work. Well… I guess all it takes is a children’s animation to bring out … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Surprise Party (from Nu ABO – 2010) With a glossy 90’s r&b beat and wisps of strings and keys, Surprise Party’s instrumental is its greatest asset. The entire thing harnesses a head-nodding groove, ornamenting the track in all the right places with … Continue reading
With their contracts expiring next spring, IZ*ONE have delivered three Korean comebacks this year. They’ve been active in Japan as well, but I think it’s best to just brush that single under the rug. Instead, we have Panorama – a track that harnesses the energetic IZ*ONE sound we’ve all come to know. It slots nicely … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Step By Me (from Chu – 2009) Released as part of f(x)’s first single album, Step By Me only hints at the daring group they would become. Instead, it exists in the “cuter” range of the girls’ discography, offering a throwback rhythm … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Stand Up! (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) Stand Up is the kind of cheery girl group song you’d expect of most K-pop acts. It actually feels a little more suited to the Japanese market than Korea. The melody is bright … Continue reading
I’ve been a little hard on NCT lately, but that’s only because I find their concept so promising. It borrows quite a bit from systems that the J-pop market has been using for ages, but has the potential to bring a uniquely K-pop aesthetic to the approach. That potential has popped up here and there … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Spread Its Wings (from God Of Study OST – 2010) A sub-unit track recorded for the God Of Study OST, Spread Its Wings brings together Luna, Krystal and Amber for a mushy mid-tempo that sounds exactly as you’d expect it to. For … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Sorry (Dear.Daddy) (from Nu ABO – 2010) This song title does not inspire confidence. Despite considering Madonna’s Papa Don’t Preach one of the finest pop songs in history, these kind of daughter-to-father tracks are usually way too sentimental for me. And, that’s … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! So Into U (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) So Into U has that classic “wet” sound I always associate with certain producers like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and that alone gives it some welcome nostalgia. As far as the … Continue reading
EXO’s Kai has been primed for a solo debut for years now. As one of the group’s most dynamic performers, it feels like the sky’s the limit when it comes to the showstoppers he could deliver on his own. And, the pre-release teaser film for his debut album harnessed that theatricality in exciting ways. Yet, … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Shadow (from Pink Tape – 2013) Shadow emerges as track two in the Pink Tape album, and has always suffered in comparison to Rum Pum Pum Pum. Under the hood, the song is almost as experimental, but the overall arrangement is much … Continue reading
NCT is absolutely stuffed with talent and personality. But, that only goes so far without strong songs to harness it. On the whole, both parts of the NCT Resonance album remind me of a b-side collection. They’re not so common anymore, but artists used to cobble together unreleased material and outtakes into a special album … Continue reading
While it might not be an official debut, My Heart Skip A Beat is the first taste of new RBW girl group Purple Kiss. Sharing an agency with Mamamoo, expectations are high for what these girls will eventually deliver. And, I wouldn’t be surprised if Heart ends up being a red herring. It comes across … Continue reading
