One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Black Pearl (from XOXO / Growl – 2013) In 2013, dubstep was all the rage. Black Pearl incorporates just enough to make the song trendy, but relies more heavily on pulsing electronics and staccato hooks. Perched somewhere between mid-tempo and dance track, … Continue reading
A legacy can be both a blessing and a curse. TVXQ’s storied past includes some of my favorite K-pop ever, and the guys continue to be incredibly active since their return from the military in 2017. Yet, each time they release a new song, I expect it to hit me the way that their past … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Bad Dream (from Don’t Mess Up My Tempo / Love Shot – 2018) Led by a fluid instrumental that seems to exist in a constant state of flux, Bad Dream draws upon harmony as its greatest calling card. There are elements of … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Baby, Don’t Cry (from XOXO / Growl – 2013) One of EXO’s most iconic slow jams, Baby, Don’t Cry opens with an evocative piano riff that sets the tone for an extended r&b plea. In doing so, it pulls the best from EXO’s … Continue reading
Among other things, 2019 has suffered a distinct lack of Sweetune-produced tracks. Their work has been relegated to severely under-known boy groups and idol band IZ, with none of their songs making waves outside of small fan bases. So, when I heard that former Kara member Goo Hara would be returning with a Sweetune-penned Japanese … Continue reading
It’s been over two years since I last wrote about Akdong Musician. I’ve missed their musical perspective, but most of all I’ve missed their voices. In the summer of 2017, right before Chanhyuk enlisted, the sibling duo released their spin on light, radio-friendly EDM. Dinosaur marked a fun shift in their acoustic sound, and left … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Angel (from Mama – 2012) As EXO’s earliest ballad, Angel provided the template for stirring work yet to come. It’s still one of their enduring melodies, underlined by a simple, piano-led arrangement that’s bolstered by the evocative vocals of the group’s then … 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. Not only have Twice steadily been refining their sound in 2019, … Continue reading
Twice have had a transformative 2019 so far, embracing a more refined sound while maintaining their immense popularity. Fancy has slowly become my most-played title track from the group, eclipsing their iconic 2016 work. Time will tell if new single Feel Special will overtake that spot, but the song makes a great first impression. By … 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. The first time through Seventeen’s new album, I was a little … Continue reading
The Produce 101 train rolls on, with agencies eager to throw their musical scraps at participating trainees and project groups before figuring out what to do with them in the long-run. The tragically-named Teen Teen brings together Produce trainees Lee Woojin, Lee Taesung and Lee Jinwoo, which makes me wonder if “Triple Lee” was ever … Continue reading
It’s easy to see why Dreamcatcher have cultivated an enthusiastic fan base. They follow the road-map I usually prescribe for newer groups: stick with a well-matched pool of composers, develop your signature sound, and offer just enough variation within that sound to keep things interesting. Since 2017’s Chase Me, the girls have forged a consistent … Continue reading
I’ve made peace with the fact that Seventeen’s funky days are (largely) behind them. International audiences seem to prefer “dark” concepts, and worldwide fame is too tempting to ignore. The danger, of course, is that Pledis Entertainment already has Nu’est, who churn out songs with a darker palette on the regular. With a reliance on … 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. I struggled to decide whether to label this a “buried treasure” … Continue reading
If any K-pop act is poised for Japanese success, it would have to be Dreamcatcher. Their rock-infused sound pulls heavily from J-pop aesthetics. Heavy metal guitars are still very much in vogue when it comes to Japan’s eclectic taste, making the group’s cross-country transition a natural one. Imagine my shock, then, when their first original … Continue reading
Because they debuted at such a young age, FTIsland have been able to consistently release music for twelve years without a military enlistment-forced hiatus. This is almost unheard of when it comes to male K-pop groups, and it’s positioned the guys as one of the industry’s staples. Zapping is their first album without leader Jonghoon, … Continue reading
There was a time when I would have been excited by the prospect of a Japanese Produce 101 spin-off, but the series has reached the point of over saturation. I’m kind of over the whole thing, especially when considering the franchise’s effect on K-pop as a whole. But, like it or not, Produce is still … Continue reading
Over the course of their four-year career, CLC have run the gamut of sounds and concepts. Recently, they’ve settled on an edgy, attitude-laced style that’s brought them international attention. But back in March of 2015, the girls debuted with the bright, addictive Pepe. Though that song is rarely mentioned in the CLC conversation nowadays, it … 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. X1’s Flash seems to have been generally well-received, but most of … Continue reading
Since debuting as a soloist, Sunmi has been a reliable producer of high-quality, slightly left-of-center K-pop. She had a particularly strong 2018, perfecting a musical style that drew heavily on 80’s inspirations. She’s been quieter this year, spending more time on tour than on music shows. During her concerts, she’s unveiled a couple new tracks … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 