During Lucy’s first two years after debut, they felt like one of the freshest acts in K-pop. Their music overflowed with ideas and hooky melodies that kept me coming back for more. Since then, they’ve settled into a reliable niceness. I’m not sure if it’s them or me, but I haven’t been able to muster … Continue reading
I wouldn’t consider myself the biggest Travis Japan fan overall, but their single Candy Kiss was one of my favorite songs of last year. They excel when given old-school funk beats and an uncomplicated, upbeat sentiment. Someone in the agency must agree, because new single T.G.I. Friday Night feels like a natural extension of that … Continue reading
The Boyz’ Phantasy series has seen them in top form, rattling through a variety of styles with confidence and flair. The trilogy comes to a conclusion with Love Letter, which feels a bit like an afterthought. Minimal promotion and a truncated track list give it the air of a going-through-the-motions repackage, but thankfully Nectar continues … Continue reading
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly three years since DAY6 released a new album. The aptly-titled Fourever is their first as a quartet and a welcome return for one of the most dominant idol bands of the last decade. Title track Welcome To The Show offers a suitably dramatic sound to usher in their … Continue reading
Anyone remember short-lived boy group MASC? They had a couple of bangers, but unfortunately disbanded before they could establish much of a discography. Members Heejae and Ireah appeared on last year’s Peak Time series and have re-debuted as duo SEVENUS. The idea of a duo is highly underrated in K-pop. They all exist in the … Continue reading
JYP Entertainment has found great success straddling the K-pop and J-pop markets with acts who can easily swerve between the two. New boy group NEXZ will continue this tradition with their upcoming debut, but first it’s time for a fresh single from NiziU. Though they’re first and foremost a J-pop act, the girls made a … Continue reading
Since their late-2020 debut, BAE173 have cycled through various boy group tropes — some more successful than others. To me, they’re at their best when revisiting an overwrought, emotional second-gen sound. Tracks like Annoyed and Loved You give them their own niche in the current K-pop landscape, albeit one that’s borrowed from fifteen years ago. … Continue reading
Lately, there’s been a plague of member hiatuses and departures for reasons that feel comparatively minor. Tempest’s Hwarang is currently sitting out group activities as penance for… visiting a dance club. Look, there’s a lot I love about K-pop (obviously), but this silly micromanagement of its artists needs to stop. It’s reached a level where … Continue reading
It took me some time to come around to xikers’ sound, but their second mini album — and particularly the raucous energy of title track Do Or Die — made me a convert. As with any group debuting in the shadow of an ultra-famous agency senior, they’re at their best when blazing their own musical … 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. I love highlight medleys, and I … Continue reading
Over the past few years, from20 has released a series of synth bangers that firmly established him as one of my favorite artists working in K-pop. With new single Demon, he makes a slight shift into funk pop, retaining his slick sound and catchy hooks. This sound isn’t quite as thrilling to me, mainly because … 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. Twice have entered an interesting stage … Continue reading
Twice continued their winning streak with the feel-good, synth-fueled I Got You earlier this month. That song acted as a pre-release for both One Spark and the accompanying album With YOU-th. The two songs share a sense of uplift, anchored by glossy pop melodies and a confident performance. For whatever reason, K-pop’s pre-release tracks often … Continue reading
The pre-releases for IU’s newest album have run the musical gamut, from theatrical balladry to quirky, hip-hop inflected dance. She’s saved the best for last, unveiling the uplifting pop surge of Shopper. It ticks many of the boxes we’ve come to expect from her music but does so with such gusto that it’s hard to … Continue reading
TRI.BE have the distinction of being backed by legendary producer Shinsadong Tiger, who has written more than his fair share of classic K-pop tracks. But thus far, they’ve struggled to deliver classics themselves, largely playing on trends without fully embracing a signature sound that gives them their own musical perspective. New single Diamond arrives almost … 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. In writing about The Wind’s H! … Continue reading
Watching TWS’s Plot Twist‘s unlikely rise to the top of the Korean charts has been an absolute joy. The digital charts tend to be a tough place for boy groups — especially rookies with a bright pop sound. However, the song has caught on and truly lived up to its name sake. This is a … Continue reading
Across three releases, Aimers have shown plenty of potential but haven’t quite caught my ear. The teasers for new single Somebody hinted a potentially spectacular showcase, and against my better judgement I set expectations far too high. As such, the full song’s fragmented approach leaves me wanting. If the entire song had the driving energy … Continue reading
I chose The Wind as my favorite rookie of 2023 for many reasons. One of the biggest was their willingness to let their main vocal belt. But now that main vocal is gone, making future music a dicey prospect. New single H! TEEN both confirms my worries and offers an exciting offramp toward a reconfigured … Continue reading
Seven years after his debut with NCT U, Ten has finally released his first solo album. Talk about delayed gratification! He’s had plenty of solo singles throughout the years, but I can’t believe it took this long for SM Entertainment to give him something more substantial. He follows a lineage of male idol performers gone … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 