In a K-pop world where Sweetune productions are becoming more and more of a rarity, the last bastion of reliably good Sweetune jams has fallen. Yes, boy group TST have moved on to new producers. And, like most groups who make this transition, their material has suffered. I appreciate what they’re trying to do with … Continue reading
I often write about how important it is for a K-pop group to develop a signature style. But, there comes a point when repetition becomes self-plagiarism. This is where Momoland exists now. Ever since the viral success of 2018’s Bboom Bboom, each title track they’ve released has sought to replicate that exact sound. This was … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! 24/7 (from Don’t Mess Up My Tempo / Love Shot – 2018) 24/7 rest largely on its titular hook. Even the instrumental revolves around the same melody. Because of this, the song is a little repetitive for my taste, without enough variation … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! XOXO (from Growl – 2013) XOXO lays out a solid groove and sticks with it for three minutes. It has an appealing, throwback charm even if its ambition is generally low. The percussive piano is a nice touch, but like so many … Continue reading
Even as the year comes to a close, Stray Kids keep churning out new material. Less than a month after their most recent comeback, the group has unveiled a mixtape project. Since debut, they’ve included a special mixtape track on the physical version of each of their albums, with some even being paired with music … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! With You (from Don’t Mess Up My Tempo / Love Shot – 2018) With You fades in with a beautiful tranquility that continues even as more instrumental elements are added to the track. The vaguely trip-hop beat feels unique within their discography, … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Winter Heat (from For Life – 2016) With all the winter songs EXO have recording, I feel like I’ve said all I can say about this kind of track. Winter Heat’s dynamic percussion allows it to stand out a bit, with each … Continue reading
Red Velvet’s ReVe Festival series has seem them blitzing through a variety of styles with all the whiplash of a good carnival ride. Though I wasn’t too hot on it in the moment, the polarizing Zimzalabim remains my favorite title track from the project. It encompassed their quirky “red” side, which has always been my … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! What I Want For Christmas (from For Life – 2016) Is that a slight jangle of sleigh bells I hear? It must be Christmas. EXO brings us yet another holiday track with What I Want For Christmas, but it’s in the upper … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Wait (from Love Shot – 2018) Wait feels like a song that belongs on one of EXO’s holiday albums. Over a subdued, acoustic guitar instrumental, the track brings unique texture to the group’s standard r&b balladry. It suffers from appearing so early … Continue reading
Kim Jaehwan really surprised me back in May, but it had nothing to do with his title track. Begin Again was a fairly straightforward K-ballad, bettered by Jaehwan’s immense talent. However, the rest of the album unveiled a diverse set of styles, including the brilliant funk-pop blast of Designer. Sure, Kim Jaehwan can rattle off … Continue reading
So many male soloists have used Taemin’s slinky dance pop as a template for their own work. From Kim Donghan to Lee Gikwang, and Park Jihoon to Kang Daniel, a restrained, rhythmic arrangement seems to be the touchstone of choice. The latest performer to steer down this route is Lim Jimin, who debuted last May … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! They Never Know (from Ex’Act / Lotto – 2016) Opening with a soulful touch of organ and scratchy LP ambiance, They Never Know aims for languid nostalgia and mostly hits the mark. Melodically, it’s a pretty simple pop song, but the members’ … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Bird (from Bird – 2019) Following up on their excellent 2018 Japanese album, special single Bird was the first EXO track to feature only six members. It’s an oddly generic effort for the group, but succeeds thanks to a strong chorus and … Continue reading
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
One day, there will be a dramatic biopic about the struggles inflicted upon CL these past few years. After 2NE1 disbanded, she seemed poised for international success. Instead, she was barely allowed to release material at all, presumably held back by the shackles of YG Entertainment. This drought has finally ended. CL has officially left … Continue reading
Maybe it’s because he had limited promotions on music shows, but I often underestimate just how successful Park Jihoon’s solo debut was. His L.O.V.E was certainly a sleeper hit with me, and did a good job catering to his talents. Like most Produce 101 alumni, I still think he’d function better as part of a … Continue reading
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
It’s been a rough year for us Sweetune fanatics. 2018 gave us several new classics, but all 2019 has offered are a couple of way-below-the-radar boy group tracks, a standout Japanese Hara (RIP) track, and a trio of IZ singles, which don’t sound like Sweetune at all despite being composed by the team. Oh, and … Continue reading
NewKidd made their official debut earlier this year with the underrated Tu Eres. That song didn’t represent any inventive musical breakthrough, but it harnessed K-pop’s obsession with deep house in an addictive way. For new single Come (컴), the guys have switched things up completely, presenting a dark, oddly structured track that mystifies just as … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 