I’ll always have a soft spot for a fledging act with a couple hundred YouTube views to their name. As I’m writing this, the visualizer to RE:WIND’s pre-release track RE:SET sits at just over six hundred views, but I have a feeling those six hundred people walked away very satisfied. Even before this release, RE:WIND … Continue reading
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab GOOD PLACE Even after seven years, my favorite ONF track is still 2018’s Complete. I just think their vocals work so well against a tropical house beat. … Continue reading
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab ANTI HERO After a bit of a slow down, My Identity roars back to life with its second unit track. Anti Hero comes courtesy of ONF’s “Off … Continue reading
In addition to frequent song covers, ATEEZ members have been stealthily delivering solo tracks through a series called “ATEEZ Present.” I haven’t written about these songs on the blog since I don’t always cover ballads, but Wooyoung’s new Sagittarius has a bit more bounce in its step as well as a glossy performance video. As … Continue reading
Earlier this week, BLACKPINK’s Jennie unveiled the star-studded track list for her upcoming solo album. We’ve already heard her collaboration with Dominic Fike, but she’s also set to partner with Doechii, Dua Lipa, Childish Gambino, Kali Uchis and FKJ. It’s a diverse list of talents, for sure. Doechii’s name stands out in particular, as she’s … Continue reading
Collaborations between Japanese and Korean acts have become more common, and as a fan of both music markets it’s fun to see the artists interact. ReawakeR is a big one, bringing together anime theme queen LiSA and Stray Kids’ ultra-popular Felix on the new OST for season two of Solo Leveling. Though the song has been … Continue reading
1. The Stranger // 2. Night Tale // 3. Nothing But A Stranger (On Team) // 4. Anti Hero (Off Team) // 5. Good Place // 6. Collab NIGHT TALE It’s been awhile since I’ve written a track-by-track in-depth album review, but ONF are long overdue for one. The six tracks I’ll be covering in … Continue reading
Boy group Xodiac have largely flown under the radar despite releasing a handful of solid tracks. Time 2 Shine gives them the (soft) rock makeover that’s proven very trendy in new-gen boy groups. It won’t win any awards for originality, but there’s always room on my playlist for more melodic material like this. Opening with … Continue reading
Mystic Story’s first boy group ARrC debuted last summer with a pair of promoted tracks that mixed quirky ideas with well-worn boy group tropes. Their agency is known for creative concepts but I’m waiting for the music itself to stand on its own. Comeback nu kidz offers an intriguing first step into new territory even … Continue reading
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
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 