My interest in jpop group Kis-My-Ft2’s releases has been pretty hit and miss over the years. I’ve loved some (mostly Perfect World), but found others to be too generic and overly processed. Still, they’re a group that I feel that I should like, given that they’re one of the more kpop-sounding boy bands in Japan, so I approach each … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. For those of us who love the polished Sweetune pop sound, … Continue reading
Lee Hi has always seemed to be stuck in a time loop. I mean this in the best way, as her style (both vocally and production-wise) looks back at the soul and jazz of the past rather than towards the trends of the day. And though this approach will never appeal to me as much … Continue reading
For their first truly original Japanese single, B.A.P have opted for a sort of hybrid of their Young, Wild & Free from last year and 2013’s excellent One Shot. Even the music video features shades of both. This is a wise move, as the sound is one hundred percent theirs and skillfully paints a clear … Continue reading
Brand New Days is the rare example of a kpop group recording a jpop song that could easily function as one of its actual Korean comebacks. It doesn’t opt for a radical departure in sound, but instead builds on the successes of the group’s discography. Apink has been riding the cutesy concept since their inception, … Continue reading
As part of KAT-TUN’s two-pronged victory lap before hiatus, Greatest Journey acts as both the theme and farewell to their (very funny) variety show Sekaiichi Tame ni Naru Tabi. More importantly, it’s the most upbeat, sunny track the guys have released in awhile, sending them off with a joyful blast of singalong pop. The first time … Continue reading
Unlock is the last official KAT-TUN single before member Taguchi leaves the group and the remaining three go on hiatus. Because of this, it carries with it an aura of sadness, though you wouldn’t know it from the song alone. Unlock is a classic uptempo rock number from the guys. And even if it may not … Continue reading
While the vocals in many of their peers’ tracks can sometimes feel like accessories to the beat or concept, Mamamoo puts the singing front and center. No need for electronic builds or breakdowns when a robust vocal harmony can get the job done even more effectively. It’s a commendable, even old-fashioned, characteristic of their music, and … Continue reading
True rockers are a rarity in the kpop world. Some of that is due to the musical tastes that the genre caters to, but I think just as much comes from the culture itself. There’s an element of respect, particularly when it comes to age, that’s woven into every fabric of Korean life. That makes the persona … Continue reading
Girl group 4TEN briefly went by the (strange) name Poten and released a very underrated single last summer. Nevertheless, they’ve been unable to break out in the kpop world. Like many groups with a similar struggle, they’ve come back again and again with varying sounds and concepts, trying to find something that will stick. I’m … Continue reading
After making their long-awaited return from the ashes last November, B.A.P have made a speedy comeback with their new mini album, Carnival. It marks a drastic shift in sound and image from their last us-against-the-world concept. In fact, we really haven’t seen the guys this light and colorful since Stop It, from all the way … Continue reading
Before I start, I need to give full disclosure on my relationship to Taemin’s music. I’m an enormous fan, and I selfishly want him to be Korea’s answer to Michael Jackson. I think he’s that good. In my opinion, he’s the best dancer in all of kpop. All this praise means I also hold him … Continue reading
If Tell Me (What Is Love) is any indication, it seems as if SM’s new weekly Music Station platform may become an avenue to release some long-awaited fan favorite material. This song is not unknown among Exo fans, and is one of many unreleased tracks from SM’s vault that has been performed live in the … Continue reading
Chocolate is a song released as part of veteran singer Yoon Jong Shin’s year-long collaboration project. He previously worked with Epik High’s Tablo, and now he’s composed a track for Seventeen’s vocal unit. Jong Shin doesn’t actually sing on Chocolate, so it’s more of a Seventeen sub-unit release than an actual duet. One of the things … Continue reading
After pre-releasing a song a few weeks ago, Kim Jaejoong is back with his new album, No.X. It’s released as he’s serving in the military, so we won’t be seeing any sort of promotion. I’ve noted before that, although I can appreciate his solo material, none of it has really stuck with me in the … Continue reading
As a companion to their just-released Tragedy (review here), KAT-TUN also gave us Atsuku Nare, which translates to Be Motivated, and its accompanying music video. I wasn’t that impressed with Tragedy, but luckily Atsuku adheres to the elements of the group’s music that I prefer. The song was written with athletics in mind, though it doesn’t sound like your … Continue reading
U-Kiss has had a career arc that feels somehow unfulfilled. Despite being a veteran idol group (they debuted all the way back in 2008), their prominence in Korea has really plummeted as they’ve focused their attention on Japan instead. Because of this, they’re a group that many forget actually still exists. This isn’t fair, but it just … Continue reading
Alongside their two group title tracks (Baby Baby and Sentimental), Winner has also released a solo from youngest member Nam Taehyun. Taehyun previously gave us the sweet, brittle Confession from the group’s debut album. But I’m Young does it one better, taking on darker, more nuanced territory. When writing about a song, I try not to … Continue reading
Winner has come back with no less than three title tracks, and the promise of more to come throughout the year. Of the three, Baby Baby probably makes the most impact, while Sentimental is happy being a looser, more fun addition to their discography. The track plays with Winner’s image and essentially turns them into an … Continue reading
When it became clear that both Winner and iKON were going to be active under YG at the same time, many were concerned how each group would differentiate themselves from the other. Now that we’ve had multiple comebacks from both, I think it’s safe to say that Winner has carved out its own specific niche … Continue reading
