Song Review: GFriend – Apple
Review

Song Review: GFriend – Apple

By not promoting the excellent Labyrinth as a title track this February, GFriend are responsible for the year’s biggest missed opportunity. But, when the composers of new single Apple were revealed, it seemed that K-pop might see some justice after all. Among the thirteen (thirteen!!) names attached to the track, several were also behind Labyrinth. … Continue reading

Buried Treasure: SF9 – Go High
Review

Buried Treasure: SF9 – Go High

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 would hesitate to call SF9’s 9loryUS a “summer” album, … Continue reading

Song Review: Great Guys – Run
Review

Song Review: Great Guys – Run

Despite their upbeat, self-praising name, Great Guys’ music has been inconsistent in both style and quality. However, I appreciate their willingness to try new things, and I’ve got to give them an “A” for effort with new single Run (내 심장은 널 향해 뛰어). Rather than opt for sounds that every one else is peddling, … Continue reading

Song Review: Chungha – Play
Review

Song Review: Chungha – Play

Though Chungha has yet to release her 2020 album, she’s delivered quite a few new tracks already. Not all of these have been equally successful, but I’ve generally been pleased with her more up-tempo offerings. New single Play follows suit, harnessing the well-worn power of tropical pop to craft a summer-ready anthem. It mostly works, … Continue reading

Song Review: SF9 – Summer Breeze
Review

Song Review: SF9 – Summer Breeze

SF9’s first full album was a big commercial success back in January, and many readers have recommended its b-sides to me. Rest assured, I listened to the album when it was released and enjoyed almost everything on it. However, no one song stood out as being particularly impactful, which actually describes my feelings around SF9 … Continue reading

Song Review: Weeekly – Tag Me
Review

Song Review: Weeekly – Tag Me

2020 has been flush with girl group debuts. The problem is, most of them have emerged from smaller companies and fallen under the radar. Weeekly’s debut has been anticipated for some time thanks to various members’ participation in 2018’s MIXNINE. Their song Tag Me (@Me) borrows from the impossibly peppy, upbeat girl group trends of … Continue reading