3YE have released a variety of different title tracks, and each has drawn upon edgier sounds than many girl groups tackle. I think the trio are at their best when given an insistent electro groove, such as last year’s Queen. New single Stalker replicates this charm in bits and pieces, and is at its strongest … Continue reading
It feels like ages since WJSN made a comeback. I’ve missed their music, and consider them one of this generation’s most consistently great girl groups. Apart from a few notable offshoots, the girls have cultivated an identifiable sound and twisted it just enough to remain fresh. New single Unnatural twists that style a bit more … Continue reading
There’s so much to unpack when it comes to NTX’s debut. First, there are those uncomfortable teaser photos, where the guys cosplay as different “cultures” in the most awkwardly stereotypical way imaginable. Then, there’s the song’s nearly-eight minute music video, which opens with a lengthy credits sequence just as it should be drawing the attention … Continue reading
With Brave Girls’ unexpected resurgence, there’s been a renewed interest in Brave Entertainment as well. This puts DKB in an awkward position. Clearly, they’re not the Brave Sound group the general public is interested in hearing from at this moment, but that’s hardly their fault. I’m sure this comeback has been in the works for … Continue reading
Since her solo debut, Kim Sejeong has become synonymous with ballads. But now that Gugudan is no more, it makes sense that she would expand her palette and maybe even absorb some of her former group’s charms. New single Warning isn’t exactly adventurous, but it injects a welcome variety to her music, delivering the optimistic … Continue reading
Even before the formation of Winner, I longed for a Kang Seung Yoon album. His early solo songs – Wild & Young, Stealer, It Rains – hinted at a gutsy rocker. And paired with some of YG’s best in-house talent, the music itself was fantastic. So, I was kind of disappointed when Seung Yoon was … Continue reading
It’s been a challenging few weeks for fans of Kim Sung Kyu. His departure from Woollim Entertainment – after over a decade with the agency – throws into question the future of his solo work and of Infinite as a group. As consolation, he’s released one final album with Woollim, and it brings him back … Continue reading
With so many idols (and former idols) branching into international markets, it’s becoming harder to decide which songs to write about on this blog. I mean, Jackson’s LMLY can hardly even be considered K-pop. It’s performed entirely in English by an artist who now works mainly in China. But, we can’t overlook Jackson’s history with … Continue reading
IU is supporting her new album with a good old-fashioned double title track strategy. We don’t see double promotions in K-pop nearly enough anymore. I’ve always thought it was a great way to showcase a full album, incorporating more sounds and moods than a single title track can convey. In Lilac’s case, IU chose the … Continue reading
Earlier this year, IU teased the release of her fifth full-length album, dropping digital single Celebrity as a taste of what was to come. She’s since spoken about how the album is meant to sound bigger than most of the coffee shop-friendly singles she’s delivered over the past few years. And with retro influences dominating … Continue reading
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
A J-pop group’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 J-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. I don’t usually write “buried treasure” … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. Forgive the obvious reference, but the … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. It seems a little silly to … Continue reading
Since leaving iKON and YG Entertainment in 2019, B.I has worked more as a producer than a solo artist. He’s also uploaded music to the online platform Soundcloud, a long-standing site gaining popularity with idols and K-pop stars as a way to share unreleased material. His new EP Love Streaming is forged from those Soundcloud … Continue reading
A K-pop group’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. The best Pentagon albums thrive on … Continue reading
Weeekly have quickly developed an enthusiastic fan base, and it’s easy to see why. Though their bright, bubblegum pop isn’t always for me, the girls boast skill and charisma for days. Debut single Tag Me was a ton of fun, and new track After School recaptures much of that playful hookiness. While the song is … Continue reading
Boy group MY.st debuted last spring, during the height of global lockdown protocols. To be honest, I can’t even remember the song, which tells you all you need to know about its impact. But, I’m always one for second (and third, and fourth…) chances, and when I saw that new single Dazzle (별이 쏟아진다) would … Continue reading
Rookie group DRIPPIN impressed me with their first mini album, but given Woollim Entertainment’s track record with boy groups, I was almost guaranteed to like their music. Still, Nostalgia had a gracefulness that set the group apart. Coupled with an excellent chorus, the song pointed toward an exciting future for DRIPPIN. Follow-up Young Blood isn’t … Continue reading
Though I never featured it as a “buried treasure” last year, I was really impressed by WOODZ’s album track Trigger. It built toward a stomping, bluesy climax bolstered by guitar. I mention this because new single Feel Like comes across as a natural extension of that song. This time, the entire track is driven by … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 