With over 3,000 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
Over the years, I haven’t been particularly kind to Ravi’s solo music. I settled on an “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” approach, choosing not to write about every song he releases. But, I’m always up for a pleasant surprise and still preview his work in case something … Continue reading
I’m still reeling over how fantastic Lucy’s June album Gatcha was. Those four songs felt like a crystallization of the group’s potential – diverse and sprawling with great melodies and inventive arrangements. Since then, the guys have received well-deserved attention thanks to a shout-out from Korea’s national archery team. New single Rolling Rolling (떼굴떼굴) could … 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. Everglow are proud pirates, but their … Continue reading
Dramas weren’t a big part of my K-pop/J-pop consumption until last year, so I was mostly immune to OST hits. That’s still the case for Korean soundtracks, which don’t often double as promoted title tracks. But in Japan, nearly every single is a tie-in with a drama, anime or commercial. It’s a wonderfully symbiotic relationship, … Continue reading
December seems to have become the month when K-pop groups take their victory lap. Similar to their Treasure series, ATEEZ are tying a bow on their Fever project with one final epilogue release. Our first taste comes in the form of rock ballad Turbulence (야간비행), again produced by the group’s team of frequent collaborators. An … Continue reading
Before listening to Gaho’s first full album, I braced myself for a mix of rock and balladry. The reality is much more nuanced, showcasing a variety of sounds and styles all driven by his strong vocal. But more than anything, I was struck by an immediate comparison to another artist. It took me a few … Continue reading
At times, Everglow have been a frustrating prospect. I mean, you can’t release a track as awesome as La Di Da and never return to that sound! Too often, their title tracks have borrowed some of my least favorite elements from K-pop’s boy groups. And listening to previews for new single Pirate, I assumed the … Continue reading
2021 has been relatively short on big-name debuts, but December is ready to squeeze in a few before we flip the calendar. Leading the pack is Starship’s new girl group IVE, who arrive with tons of hype thanks to two members hailing from IZ*ONE. Their visual and audio teasers seemed to promise a sleek, sophisticated … Continue reading
After the madcap energy of yesterday’s Christmas EveL, Stray Kids dial back for a more traditional holiday sound. Winter Falls is much closer to an expected December ballad template, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. In fact, it’s satisfying to hear the group set the gimmicks aside and simply let their talent shine. When writing … Continue reading
After releasing a mammoth twenty-one track album in February, Chungha has been pretty quiet. But, she’s back to close out the year with digital single Killing Me. After such a long hiatus, this is nice treat that falls in line with the “Savage,” club-ready segment of Querencia. It’s this style of song that seems so … Continue reading
It’s already the time of year when idol groups start delivering holiday tracks. A few will be festive. Many will be ballads. And then, there’s Stray Kids. Prior to release, I couldn’t quite imagine how a Stray Kids Christmas single would sound. But immediately upon hearing Christmas EveL, I couldn’t believe how obvious the answer … Continue reading
Mamamoo’s success has provided an equally successful launching pad for its members’ solo careers, with Hwasa being the biggest beneficiary. In addition to her solo music, she’s a regular on MBC’s long-running series I Live Alone, as well as one of the buzziest idols in the industry. She brings a sense of nonchalant confidence to … Continue reading
After leaving boy group B.A.P, Bang Yongguk released a few digital singles and produced two tracks for rookie group Just B. His blend of rock and hip-hop is always a welcome addition to the K-pop conversation, so I was happy to hear that new single Race would bring plenty of guitar. And while this may … Continue reading
Gaho first came to prominence in early 2020 with a huge OST hit from K-drama Itaewon Class. But, he’d been releasing music for several years prior. Now, he’s delivered his first full album – a landmark moment for any artist. Preceded by singles Ride and Rush Hour, the twelve-track work is being promoted with title … Continue reading
I went into this year’s Kingdom: Legendary War familiar with SF9’s music but not attached to the group itself. I’m not sure the competition changed that much, but their interpretation of Taemin’s Move offered a potential inroad that caught my attention. Its sleek, dancefloor-ready sound and stylish image informed parts of their summer comeback Tear … Continue reading
Monsta X’s Gambler made a very good case for increasing creative control in idol comebacks. Co-composed and arranged by member Joohoney, the song felt like a genuine expansion of the group’s sound. New single Rush Hour pulls a few more producers into the mix, and comes across as an amped up version of Monsta X’s … Continue reading
E’Last’s Dark Dream has become quite a sleeper hit for me. I’ve always wanted to love the group’s music as much as I appreciate their concept, and Dream is as close as I’ve come since their 2020 debut. Back when the single album was released, I nearly wrote a “buried treasure” review for To.Lie. Luckily, … Continue reading
I haven’t yet listened to Younha’s new album, but the preview left me a little confused. The snippets sounded quite strong, with a rock influence well-suited to her voice. But for the title track, she’s opted for one of the only straightforward ballads. I know ballads are popular this time of year, but it seems … Continue reading
It’s been so satisfying to watch how Twice’s concept has evolved over the years. They’ve had their missteps (every group does), but by and large they’ve been able to mature their discography without losing its most appealing aspects. It’s rare that my favorite single from a group comes so late in their career, but I … Continue reading
