Natty made her solo debut earlier this year, and reminded me of a young BoA. Her skill as both a dancer and vocalist positions her well for upbeat pop music, and I’m glad to hear she’s continuing that approach with new single Teddy Bear. From the title alone, you’d expect the track to be pretty … Continue reading
STAYC aren’t just a run-of-the-mill debut group. They arrive bolstered by producers Black Eyed Pilseung, and are the first act signed to their new agency High-Up Entertainment. Black Eyed Pilseung have been responsible for quite a few major K-pop hits, including songs from Twice, Chungha and Apink. So, have they saved their best material for … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Love (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) As far as I know, Love is the only instance where production team Sweetune has worked with SM Entertainment. That’s kind of surprising when you think about it, but just shows how much of … Continue reading
SixTONES have taken the J-pop world by storm this year, and much of that is due to their ability to subvert expectations. Yes, they still brandish the elaborate costuming that’s become a hallmark of Johnny’s Entertainment acts, but their music has pushed toward a more international direction. I’m of two minds about this. I love … Continue reading
Arashi are putting a bow on their twenty-one year recording career, with what is assumed to be their final studio album This Is Arashi. It’s an odd hodgepodge of songs, including some of the group’s recent English work and even a Christmas track. So rather than feel like a cohesive project, the album plays more … Continue reading
Just two-and-a-half weeks since their comeback in Korea, Twice have delivered their next Japanese single. This is truly the K-pop group who doesn’t sleep. Rather than draw from the retro style of October’s I Can’t Stop Me, Better feels more like a sequel to last year’s Fake & True and Feel Special. It continues Twice’s … Continue reading
Boy group E’Last debuted this spring with a theatrical sound that hearkened back to older generations of K-pop. I really enjoyed their single Swear, but didn’t return to it nearly as much as I would have thought. Still, I’m excited to see the group maintain their dramatic flair with new track Tears Of Chaos (눈물자국). … Continue reading
Kim Junsu has always been one of those indispensable K-pop vocalists. There’s no one else quite like him, and just hearing his voice hearkens back to earlier eras. His last album was released all the way back in the spring of 2016, promoted by the excellent, underrated Rock The World. Now, after four years and … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Let’s Try (from Electric Shock – 2012) I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with Let’s Try. It’s such a gawky pop track, hinging on a sing-song hook that’s either addictive and cloying depending on your mood. The track’s sheer spunk gets it … Continue reading
Less than a year after debut, Japan’s Produce 101-spawned JO1 is releasing their first full album. Of course, the Japanese market works differently than K-pop, usually cobbling together a run of already-released singles and b-sides into an album. But, this still seems like a quick accomplishment for the rookie group. After the generic Infinity, August’s … Continue reading
Of all the Wanna One members, Ha Sungwoon never really caught my attention. Yet, his solo career has gone from strength to strength. He’s proving himself a great pop songwriter with surprising versatility. And, I love the funky route his title tracks have taken. Forbidden Island (그 섬) continues this arc, thriving on a hearty … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! La Cha Ta (from La Cha Ta – 2009) Given their penchant for off-kilter, experimental material, what could an f(x) debut possibly sound like? Well, flash back to 2009 and you’ll find La Cha Ta. There are certainly touches of what would … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Kick (from Pink Tape – 2013) The Pink Tape album is full of interesting textures, and Kick unveils its aggressive electronic assault immediately. It’s an abrasive track, melding hard-hitting rap with all manner of synth samples. The pre-chorus slows things down for … Continue reading
It’s no secret how much I adored Sexy Zone’s Run. That song felt like the climax to years of musical growth for the group. And immediately after its release, fans were treated to the announcement of member So Matsushima rejoining the group after a nearly two year hiatus. New single Not Found finds Sexy Zone … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Jet (from Electric Shock – 2012) Right from the start, Jet pulls no punches. We get a brilliant ascending introduction that quickly segues into a hard hitting verse. I love the electro beat during this segment. The melody is all over the … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! …Is It Ok? (from Hot Summer – 2011) I’ve always loved Is It Ok’s introductory instrumental. It primes the listener for a big, grandiose show that materializes gradually as the rest of the song unfolds. The ornate production is perfectly paired with … Continue reading
Berry Good are a resilient bunch. It’s been over a year since their last comeback, and when you’re talking about a lower-profile group that kind of a hiatus can be very anxiety-producing. But, the girls are back with new single ACCIO (presumably named after the magic spell in Harry Potter). Upon hearing the first teaser, … Continue reading
Though they debuted with little hype, Secret Number caught my attention with strong vocals and a song that took advantage of that skill. I haven’t played Who Dis? all that often since its release in May, but I still have a soft spot for its straightforward arrangement and hearty delivery. New single Got That Boom … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Goodbye Summer (ft. D.O.) (from Pink Tape – 2013) Certain summer songs succeed on a sense of wistfulness, and Goodbye Summer nails that sentiment. The track is little more than strumming guitar and airy harmonies, but its simplicity works. This is a … Continue reading
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, 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. Though I Can’t Stop Me is the undisputed highlight of Twice’s … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 