Fresh off their pre-release ballad Saturn last week, MADEIN are back with their latest title track Love, Afraid (사랑, 두려움). That title might as well stand for the dueling emotions listeners have felt before and after sexual abuse allegations were leveled at the group’s CEO. It’s a messy, unsure time to be a MADEIN fan, … Continue reading
Despite featuring a strong member line-up, I haven’t yet been able to connect with One Pact’s music. I admire how they compose their own work, but in my case it’s a matter of diverging musical tastes. However, teasers for new single 100! unveiled a promising funk pop sound, joining the ranks of many current boy … Continue reading
Around this time last year, Chungha promoted the disappointing Eenie Meenie when fantastic b-side I’m Ready was just begging for single treatment instead. Artists have every right to explore a variety of genres, but Chungha is such a convincing dancefloor diva that it feels like a missed opportunity whenever her music ventures elsewhere. Thankfully, new … Continue reading
The title of EVNNE’s new single practically begs for a snarky review. The quotes write themselves, but the truth is K-pop songs are rarely hot messes anymore. The industry has become too streamlined and safe for things like that to happen. This Hot Mess also feels safe with current trends in mind, but it’s still … Continue reading
With Lady Gaga’s excellent Abracadabra being rapturously received around the globe, there’s a tantalizing feeling in the air that big shiny choruses and grandiose ideas may just be coming back to pop music. Us K-pop fans know any global trend takes a bit of time to filter down to the industry, but Born Again is … Continue reading
ALL(H)OURS joined January’s pre-release rush with the underwhelming Graffiti, but teasers for new title track Gimme Gimme seemed to promise a return to the pounding dance sound of last summer’s Shock. In this current K-pop climate, it’s more important than ever to develop a distinct sonic identity and ALL(H)OURS would do well to hitch their … Continue reading
While “virtual” artists are incredibly popular and common in Japanese music, PLAVE have carved out their own niche in Korea. I still don’t understand why or how they’re as successful as they are, but I’m certainly not going to begrudge fans for enjoying their content. As usual, my commentary focuses on the music itself and … Continue reading
IVE have built a sizable portion of their singles run around iconic samples, from Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive to Blackstreet’s No Diggity to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. These interpolations have almost become a concept of sorts, and new single Attitude follows suit by borrowing the iconic hook from Suzanne Vega’s Tom’s Diner. … Continue reading
Less than a week after surprise dropping pre-release single ZEN, BLACKPINK’s Jennie is already back with the second taste of her upcoming album. Teasers so far have promised a host of guest artists featuring on the project, and Love Hangover invites American singer/rapper Dominic Fike as duet partner. As I anticipated, the track offers a … Continue reading
Whenever writing about boy group KJRGL, it’s my civic duty to remind you that that acronym stands for “Kind (of) Just Right Good Luck”. I just love that nonsense. This group is Japanese but co-managed by Sony Music Entertainment Korea. Because of this, their music tends to have a very K-pop sound and that continues … Continue reading
A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Every boy group worth their salt … Continue reading
(G)I-DLE’s Minnie released her solo debut album last week, led by two promoted tracks that did little for me. However, the album grows stronger as it goes on, climaxing with its best song. That song has now been given its own video featuring WayV’s Ten, who duets with Minnie on Obsession. I can’t claim to … Continue reading
Super Junior’s Eunhyuk made his idol debut nearly twenty years ago. Across those decades, he’s been active in sub-units and even released a couple solo tracks. However, he’s never delivered a solo album. With the release of Explorer, he’s finally taken the plunge. And like any artist should, he’s taken this opportunity to develop a … Continue reading
New K-pop releases are usually telegraphed well in advance. Surprise drops are still relatively rare. BLACKPINK’s Jennie recently announced a solo album scheduled for March, but pre-release track ZEN arrives with no warning on a day and time artists don’t often release new music. It’s fun to be caught off balance for once — especially … Continue reading
ZEROBASEONE are having a very busy start to the year. Days after their new Japanese single we have pre-release Doctor! Doctor!, to be followed by two EPs — one J-pop, one K-pop — in the near future. Judging by its exclamation-heavy title, you might expect Doctor! Doctor! to be some campy pop romp (at least, … Continue reading
Intergenerational K-pop collaborations are usually reserved for special events like year-end festivals. But sometimes, these team-ups make their way into a recording studio so we can enjoy the music for longer. Pop legend Kim Wan Sun pre-dates the idea of “K-pop generations,” known as the Korean Madonna even before Seo Taiji & Boys came around … Continue reading
For their first full-length Drip, BABYMONSTER have benefitted from an old-fashioned album campaign. These promotions include a pre-release, a title track and multiple follow-ups. We don’t see this approach very often in K-pop anymore, and the finale of this new music video promises even more to come. Today, we have the mid-tempo Really Like You, … Continue reading
It’s been a long seventeen month wait for us Sweetune aficionados. The production duo helmed NINE.i’s excellent Turn It Off in August 2023 and swiftly disappeared, briefly reappearing for forgettable H1-Key and DKZ b-sides last year. Now, they’re back in title track territory with BBGirls’ new single (and first under their new agency) Love 2. … Continue reading
I feel like I should open this review the exact same way I did the one for ZEROBASEONE’s new Japanese single moments ago. Like ZB1, &TEAM have worked their way into my core five new-gen boy groups, just below the trinity of TWS, RIIZE and BOYNEXTDOOR. Their music has become increasingly strong, harnessing a melodic … Continue reading
I’ve developed this little cadre of fifth-gen boy groups who are making K-pop really fun for me these days. At the top are my big three: TWS, RIIZE and BOYNEXTDOOR. Then, there are ZEROBASEONE and &TEAM, playing the role of the cool cousins who come visit every once and awhile. For me, their music has … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 