There are times when you admire something even if you don’t necessarily like it. Stray Kids’ new single S-Class (특) has those qualities. I admire its chutzpah, and I admire the group’s willingness to experiment with sound and structure. This seems to be their answer to JYP Entertainment’s “mixx-pop” endeavor — basically cramming an entire … Continue reading
I was not a fan of HORI7ON’s first pre-debut single Dash, but follow-up track Lovey Dovey dramatically transforms their sound. Gone is the tough-guy chanting of Dash, replaced by pastel outfits and a light funk pop beat that borrows elements of new jack swing. This style appeals to me, even if the song feels a … Continue reading
Twice’s Hare Hare has been kicking around digital spaces for a few weeks, but I’ve held off writing about it in a J-pop round-up because I knew the music video was just around the corner. Today, we have the visuals to accompany this bouncy dance track. Hare Hare is modern Twice, through and through. It … Continue reading
The Faker Club is providing necessary counterprogramming for mainstream K-pop trends. Its artists from20 and Hello Gloom have delivered some of my favorite songs of the year, simply by opting for sounds and structures that are hard to find elsewhere. Eyes On Me is another winner. If you’ve perused any of my “Global Round-Up” posts, … 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. Dreamcatcher can always be counted on … Continue reading
With over 4,000 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the “Random Shuffle Review” feature. The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets … Continue reading
Some of my favorite Dreamcatcher tracks meld the group’s rock sound with borderline-cheesy, stadium-ready melodies. Songs like Fly High and Over The Sky veer closer to “anthem territory” and bring the sense of drama I crave in a great rock track. New single BONVOYAGE harnesses a similar energy, even if its execution doesn’t quite find … Continue reading
Upon the release of LE SSERAFIM’s most recent album, the track Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife seemed to spark a lot of online discussion. So, I’m not surprised it’s been given a music video and follow-up promotions. While Unforgiven attacks with its central catchphrase, Eve maintains the stylish — almost monotone — air of … Continue reading
2022 delivered a host of newly-debuted girl groups, and this year seems poised to do the same for boy groups. One of 2023’s most anticipated debuts is BOYNEXTDOOR — the first idol act under Zico’s KOZ Entertainment, with the backing of K-pop overlords HYBE. Their upcoming single album promises three promoted tracks, and today we … Continue reading
Last week, I called Avu-chan’s Year 0, Class 0 the best audition show I’d ever seen. That feeling has only intensified with time. And, it’s bolstered my interest in Ryugujo — the group formed through the series. They’re a self-proclaimed “alternative” act, which essentially means their music has a unique perspective and sound. Both songs … Continue reading
I was pleased to see VERIVERY find such big success with a bright, upbeat pop track last year. Not every boy group has to posture and pose like a villain to sell albums, and Tap Tap felt like the start of a new era for the guys. Crazy Like That takes a slight sidestep, delivering … Continue reading
I’ve been a bit confused by Travis Japan’s rollout so far, but that’s coming from a longtime Johnny’s fan who’s used to physical singles and albums. Digital music is the norm most markets, but this approach means the group only has two released songs to their name — even though they debuted all the way … Continue reading
When you think about it, HYBE’s embrace of the ever-growing AI market feels inevitable. I expect this to be a huge facet of K-pop as time goes on. Before writing about MIDNATT, let me tell you how I’ve been using AI over the past seven months. Last November, I discovered the Whisper AI model, which … Continue reading
I’ve been jokingly referring to newly-debuted group The Wind as “BFriend,” and I have a feeling that moniker is going to stick. So far, their music is a note-perfect re-creation of GFriend’s debut year. This alone scores them massive points from me. How refreshing to hear a new boy group do something totally different from … Continue reading
Thus far, there’s been a big disconnect between how much I like INI as a group and how much I enjoy the music they’re given. My favorite songs tend to be one-off projects or b-sides, while most of their singles have landed with a thud. But, the universe has finally aligned with Fanfare. It’s not … Continue reading
I’m not sure Chemistry needs to be covered here since it’s not technically K-pop. But, the song is making the rounds on K-pop communities and THE7’s debut Get Loose was pretty fun. Chemistry continues the group’s buoyant pop sound, delivering good (if generic) vibes. More than anything, Chemistry reminds me of a song you’d hear … Continue reading
You could say I’ve been hard on (G)I-DLE’s music so far, but everyone has their musical pet peeves and too many of their songs simply push the wrong buttons for me. However, I’m always ready to approach new music with an open mind, and pre-releases offer a great chance for acts to play a little … Continue reading
IVE’s music has reminded me just how important a good A&R team is. The ability to consistently choose great songs with a clear vision can’t be understated. But often when a K-pop act pursues the Japanese market, their material is determined by outside forces. There are many groups with lopsided discographies Korean/Japanese discographies (looking at … Continue reading
ONEUS’s pre-release Unforgettable has been a stealth attack on my playlist. It’s not one of their showier tracks, but its melodic through-line gives it high replay value. This is worth noting when writing about new title track Erase Me. The song has many strengths, but a through-line is not one of them. I don’t mean … Continue reading
The spring of 2023 will be characterized by a quartet of top-tier girl group releases. The results have been mixed so far, with IVE’s I Am throwing down the gauntlet in rousing fashion but LE SSERAFIM’s Unforgiven missing the mark. Now, aespa sweep us into the final stretch before (G)I-DLE bring things to a close … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 