Carrying on a tradition that began with 2013’s still unbeatable Miracles In December, EXO is back with their fourth special winter album. Sometimes these releases end up being overtly tied to the holidays, and other times they’re simply an excuse to spotlight a good ballad. Universe falls into the latter category, delivering a wistful piano ballad … Continue reading
For all its merits, mainstream k-pop is too often dependent on the newest and shiniest idol acts. Its current incarnation may have developed in the 90’s, but there just aren’t enough of those original superstars left who can compete with today’s trends. Luckily, dance floor diva Uhm Jung Hwa made a very welcome, long-awaited return … Continue reading
It’s hard to believe that this is already Twice’s fourth single of 2017 (fifth, if you count Japanese release One More Time). To say the girls have had a big year is an understatement, but that type of frequent promotion should be expected from Korea’s biggest girl group. With new single Heart Shaker, they once … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! 60 Seconds (from New Challenge – 2013) Though leader Sungkyu’s original solo recording remains the definitive version of 60 Seconds and would easily garner a rating in the 9’s, the full group brings a certain amount of weight to the already-excellent track. It’s … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! 1/3 (from Over The Top / Paradise – 2011) Though Infinite’s first full length album was bolstered by two back-to-back mega-hits, its album tracks are often a bit more experimental. In some ways, 1/3 is of the standard dance-pop style that the group … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! With… (from Infinitize – 2012) As Infinite’s original fan song, With holds a special place in their discography as a dramatic, emotional closer to their 2012/2013 concerts. As a simple pop ballad, it has a satisfying heft to it, made only more galvanizing … Continue reading
There are few k-pop comebacks that feel quite as exciting as the forthcoming return of legends TVXQ. And while we still have a bit longer to wait for the duo’s upcoming Korean album, they’re already active again in Japan. As miffed as I may be that they’re promoting in a foreign country first after their … Continue reading
No matter how popular HyunA is, she will always be a divisive artist. K-pop pushes sexuality as much as any genre of entertainment, but it’s usually clouded in a confusing mix of innocence and perceived wholesomeness that plays to a sense of cultural modesty. HyunA, on the other hand, throws it all out there. This … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Up To You (from Reality – 2015) Also translated as “Take Care of the Ending,” Up To You closes out one of Infinite’s strongest albums — 2015’s Reality. The aggressive instrumental melds electro-swing with more traditional dance pop to thrilling, effortless effect. The … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Together (from Grow OST – 2014) Every idol group needs a celebratory song for the fans. And before Together came into existence, Infinite used to close their shows with the 2012 power ballad With. But in late 2014, Together became the group’s quintessential … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. As much as I’ve enjoyed many of EXID’s past singles, … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Still I Miss You (from New Challenge – 2013) A classic Infinite ballad, Still I Miss You is buoyed by its sentimental atmosphere and lilting, harmonized chorus. It’s a formula, but one that the group delivers gorgeously. Throughout the years, k-pop visual … Continue reading
As the 18-month rollout of girl group LOONA enters its final stretch, we’re left with only a few new members to introduce. Thankfully, the soundtrack to these introductions has become more and more impressive as the debut project deepens. Coming off the ambitious, experimental Odd Eye Circle sub-unit of the past two months, newest girl-of-the-month … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. I’ve always preferred Red Velvet‘s upbeat “red” material over their … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Rosinante (from Season 2 / Be Back – 2014) Using a Don Quixote literary reference as its title, Rosinante takes Infinite’s trademark synth sound and jettisons almost everything else. Like many of the tracks on Be Back, the production merges dance pop funk … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Request (from Request – 2013) CF tracks are designed primarily to promote a product, and they really aren’t supposed to be this good. But rather than go gimmicky or opt for a commercial jingle sound, Request sees Infinite teaming once again with Sweetune … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Reflex (from Season 2 / Be Back – 2014) Embracing 80’s synthpop stronger than ever before, Reflex feels like a sonic sequel to Be Mine. The instrumental is built on the old Stock Aitken Waterman drum program sound that powered so many late-80’s … Continue reading
KARD have received a fair amount of criticism (including some from this very site) for essentially replicating the same sound each time they release a new single. There’s something to be said about artists spinning their wheels, but I also believe that the best idol groups are those who develop a trademark style and gradually … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Apart from title track Sixteen, I wasn’t a big fan … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Only Tears (from Infinitize – 2012) One of Infinite’s most delicate ballads, Only Tears’ gentle mix of piano, guitar and strings provides little distraction from the purity of the group’s vocals. Even so, the instrumental builds gorgeously, becoming more grandiose as the song … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 