U-Know’s first (!) full album is scheduled for early next month, but prior to that he’s dropped pre-release Body Language to offer a hint of what we might be in for. With over twenty years in the industry, he’s tried his hand at just about every genre you can imagine, but Body Language pairs him … Continue reading
I’m always a bit skeptical about songs called “Rock & Roll” that aren’t from actual rock bands, but if anyone’s got the attitude to drive this style it’s ITZY. They made their name on a brash energy that felt punky even as it was carefully designed by a corporation to appear so. Japanese single Rock … Continue reading
Though ONEWE debuted all the way back in 2019, K-pop is currently experiencing a resurgence of bands and rock music in general. This opens possible inroads that were harder travelled before, though it also means a more stuffed marketplace. Today, they guys are back with their sixth mini album and its sprightly title track Maze. … Continue reading
Recent releases by TWS, RIIZE and IDID have me wondering if I’m starting to go full circle and enjoy weirdly atonal boy group hip-hop tracks again. It helps when the production is interesting and the subject matter isn’t simply “I’m so cool, look at me.” To be honest, much of my opinion about this style … Continue reading
So far in izna’s discography, there hasn’t been a full single that I’ve loved. Instead, there have been parts of izna singles I’ve loved. The synthpop chorus of Sign. The mid-2010s, vaguely tropical beat of their self-titled debut. Producers Teddy, Kush and 24 have robust resumes but I need them to take every one of … Continue reading
I often write about K-pop groups needing to find a “signature sound,” but that doesn’t mean the sound is always for me. Boy group POW have taken an oddly subdued approach with their music, leaning on elements of downbeat jazz to fuel their aesthetic. It hasn’t worked all that well commercially, but at least their … Continue reading
EXO has seen many of its members go solo and I’m beginning to spot a musical pattern between their output. Kai aside, I can’t think of any other major boy group whose solos have hung on more tightly to adult contemporary sounds. The guys seems to love tasteful rock and R&B that draws upon the … Continue reading
As Seventeen enters their inevitable military enlistment era, focus has shifted from group work to solos and sub-units. Next on the docket are S.Coups and Mingyu, joining forces alongside American singer/rapper Lay Bankz for a party track that heavily samples Roy Orbison’s iconic 1964 hit Pretty Woman. Wow… that’s a lot going on in one … Continue reading
Boy band Aimers have been kicking around since 2022 — one of those underrated, underknown groups who somehow manage to come back each year despite never breaking free of the dreaded “nugu” label. I have a soft spot for groups like this, though no Aimers song has hit me hard enough to be anything more … Continue reading
Throughout her solo career, GFriend’s Yerin has tried on a few musical guises. Her bright vocals and undeniable presence have served her well throughout these various sounds and continue to do so on new pop/rock single Awake. Awake exists in a lineage of similarly-constructed songs over the past year or so. It seems that everyone … Continue reading
Boy group TIOT have waffled between the wonderful and the frustrating, finding most success on this blog when they let their vocals do the talking on softly anthemic pop-rock. New single My Pride lacks the obnoxious production of their most polarizing work but struggles to find a compelling replacement. My Pride feels like a late-album … Continue reading
Last year, Kingdom added a “The,” capitalized their “D” and released one mini album before taking a lengthy hiatus. It all seems like much ado about nothing, and the title of special single Last Flower (화월가) makes me a bit concerned for their future. Still, it’s nice to see them revert back to the historical … Continue reading
GENBLUE blur the lines between K-pop and C-pop, composed of both Korean and Taiwanese members and promoting music in both languages. So far, their Chinese singles outweigh their Korean work, but they seem to be making a renewed push into the market with new track Badass. This title already gives me pause, as I often … Continue reading
Since their debut, rookies HITGS have released some truly diabolical material — songs I’ve disliked but have gone on to begrudgingly sing along with because they’re so stupidly catchy. This doesn’t make the music good, but it leaves an impression. New single A-Ha! dispenses with many of the gimmicks of the group’s past to embrace … Continue reading
In a K-pop climate where everyone seems to be harnessing rock touchstones, EXO’s Suho has thrived on the genre for years. It’s been a sweet spot for his solo music and new title track Who Are You continues to paint him in this light. It’s a sprawling mid-tempo seemingly designed for road trip sing-alongs. This … Continue reading
Big Hit is going to make me write about every one of these damn CORTIS songs, aren’t they? The group’s debut rollout has now hit its fourth music video, leaving only one album track to go. That’s a lot of promotion, but I’m curious if it’s actually bearing fruit. Their music hasn’t worked for me … Continue reading
When Taemin released his single Veil last week, I was surprised it wasn’t paired with a music or performance video. After all, he’s one of K-pop’s premiere visual artists, with choreography and sheer star presence often elevating the songs themselves. It turns out we just needed to wait a few days before that video materialized. … Continue reading
Primrose released a joy bomb of a pop song with the buoyant Cinema early this summer. That track had surprising staying power for me, powered by a splashy chorus and unabashedly upbeat energy. I’d have loved to see the girls continue down this musical lane, but instead they’ve returned with the more subdued Love Your … Continue reading
Japanese tripleS sub-unit “∞!” debuted last year with the moody, hypnotic Untitled. It was one of the better tripleS title tracks, though I can’t say it stayed on my playlist for long. Now, they’re back with a jauntier pop song in new single Password. There’s a joke going around about tripleS’s strong reliance on “la … Continue reading
Since their 2023 debut, LUN8 have tried on a variety of styles and even reconfigured their line-up. This has made it difficult to gain a firm grasp on the group, as Fantagio Entertainment simply seems to be throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. The latest in this approach is a new single … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 