December’s glut of ballads seems to have extended into January this year. It feels like all I’m doing lately is reviewing ballads, which makes it hard to come up with anything new to say. Of course, TVXQ are no stranger to big, emotive balladry – especially when it comes to their Japanese work. But one … Continue reading
Kim Jaejoong’s most recent Korean album was released around the time The Bias List was launched in early 2016. Since then, he’s enlisted, released Japanese music and been active on variety and in dramas. I can still remember when he made his solo debut back in 2013. I had only been a K-pop fan for … Continue reading
Because of how early the Lunar New Year holiday falls this year, the remainder of January is going to be very slow when it comes to comebacks. Like, December slow. It’s in these times that I find myself writing about each and everything that gets released, even if I’d usually pass on it during a … Continue reading
Okay, K-pop, I think it’s time to admit you have a problem. Out of the eight songs I’ve reviewed this week, 50% of them have suffered from the dreaded half-time trap-rap breakdown in their second verse. The rest were mostly ballads or mid-tempos, which don’t generally include rap at all. Some songs are strong enough … Continue reading
Despite garnering huge success as part of idol group Wanna One, Ong Seungwu’s post-disbandment activities have focused more strongly on acting than music. His solo work has been limited to a fun (but forgettable) summer single and an OST for his drama At Eighteen. He’s yet to actively promote a song on music shows, and … Continue reading
My reactions to DreamNote’s singles have been pretty polarized so far. I was not a fan of their self-referencing debut, but follow-up Hakuna Matata wormed its way into my top fifty tracks of 2019. New single Wish (바라다) falls somewhere in the middle, borrowing elements from both songs without pushing the group’s sound in any … Continue reading
Say what you will about the effects of Produce 101 (and believe me, I’ve had a lot to say on the matter), but its influence has reignited interest in idol acts that fall outside of the usual group configurations. Both soloists and duos have seen a resurgence in popularity, offering the chance for popular trainees … Continue reading
Soloist Younha has had a long and illustrious career, filled with commercial highs and lows. But, her name has now been rocketed back to attention thanks to a feature from BTS’s RM. That song, produced by the brilliant Eden/Ollounder/Leez team, isn’t even her title track. Given its big-name collaborators and general awesomeness, it probably should … Continue reading
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
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 