Seventeen have settled into a pattern that alternates between the upbeat pop of their past and an emotional brand of tempo-shifting EDM. And while I will always be drawn more strongly to their funkier sound, Seventeen are one of the few k-pop acts who have managed to put their own signature stamp on this ultra-trendy … Continue reading
Tag Archives: rating 9
Buried Treasure: Golden Child – I’m Falling
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. For lovers of the “pop” part of k-pop, Golden Child’s … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: EXO – Cosmic Railway
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. EXO’s new Japanese album is absolutely fantastic from start to … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: Target – Tempest
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Honestly, it’s been pretty awesome that I’ve gotten to write … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: Rainz – Open Ur Heart
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Though I would rather have seen Rainz stick with the … Continue reading
Song Review: Sunmi – Heroine
If there was one song in 2017 that I severely under-rated, it would be Sunmi’s Gashina. While I didn’t love it at first, the track became something of a national phenomenon. Utter ubiquity goes a long way in selling a song, and coupled with its addictive choreography, Gashina rightfully stamped its place in last year’s … Continue reading
INFINITE TOP SEED: In-Depth Album Review – Begin Again
Infinite’s long-awaited comeback resulted in the title track Tell Me, which divided opinion on this site and others. It’s taken from the group’s third full-length album, Top Seed, and kicks off a string of ten other newly released songs. Just like with 2016’s Infinite Only, I’m here to offer my thoughts on every single one … Continue reading
INFINITE TOP SEED: In-Depth Album Review – Wind
Infinite’s long-awaited comeback resulted in the title track Tell Me, which divided opinion on this site and others. It’s taken from the group’s third full-length album, Top Seed, and kicks off a string of ten other newly released songs. Just like with 2016’s Infinite Only, I’m here to offer my thoughts on every single one … Continue reading
INFINITE TOP SEED: In-Depth Album Review – Pray
Infinite’s long-awaited comeback resulted in the title track Tell Me, which divided opinion on this site and others. It’s taken from the group’s third full-length album, Top Seed, and kicks off a string of ten other newly released songs. Just like with 2016’s Infinite Only, I’m here to offer my thoughts on every single one … Continue reading
Song Review: EXO – Electric Kiss
Japanese releases by k-pop artists can be very hit and miss, but if any agency has managed a consistently solid j-pop catalog for their artists, it’s SM Entertainment. They’ve nurtured massive success overseas with TVXQ, Girls’ Generation and SHINee in particular, and for awhile I’ve wondered why EXO haven’t been given the same Japanese spotlight. … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: Stray Kids – School Life
Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of k-pop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. When Stray Kids makes their official debut later this year, … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Shower
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Shower (from Season 2 / Be Back – 2014) Closing out the Be Back album with a shot of energy, Shower marked the first time Infinite collaborated with producers Iggy and Seo Yongbae. The song is a fan-favorite, and for good reason. … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Shot
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Shot (from Inspirit – 2011) One of Infinite’s strongest b-sides, Shot never once lets up. From the opening, explosive refrain, the song is a jolt of pure energy. Sweetune ups the presence of electric guitars, fusing them to an aggressive dance beat … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – She’s Back
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! She’s Back (from First Invasion – 2010) As Infinite’s first single with Sweetune, She’s Back set the stage for what would follow over the next four years. The song is relentlessly cheerful, melding 80’s power pop with the kind of soaring vocals the … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Moonlight
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Moonlight (from Reality – 2015) Infinite have only worked with producers Seo Young-bae and Iggy two times, but both collaborations have resulted in absolute knockouts. Strong enough to be a title track, the strings-driven, disco-kissed Moonlight is one of the group’s best … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z: Infinite – Lately (White Confession)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Lately (White Confession) (from Lately – 2011) Some things just go perfectly together, and Sweetune + Christmas is one of them. Lately supplies Infinite with the kind of surging, ultra-melodic pop sugar rush their first few years were built on, but by adding … Continue reading
Song Review: Sonamoo – I (Knew It)
It took them awhile, but girl group Sonamoo have finally released two fantastic, back-to-back singles. This summer’s Friday Night was an unexpected, disco-infused treat, but I (아이) ups the ante by pulling influence from k-pop’s past. The song may have been produced by one half of the ubiquitous e.one production duo, but its dramatic, brass-spiked … Continue reading
Song Review: Seventeen – Clap
Though the emotional EDM of May’s Don’t Wanna Cry was far from Seventeen‘s usual sound, it ended up being one of the year’s biggest growers. And as the group led up to their second full album with a string of sub-unit releases, fans were promised an evolving, newly matured style. But this is Seventeen, who … Continue reading
Song Review: Super Junior – Black Suit
As part of their preparations for their first comeback in over two years, Super Junior have been releasing a documentary series online. If you’ve been watching, you’ll already have a pretty good idea of how Black Suit sounds. Upon hearing the first clip a couple of weeks ago, I feared that the song might be … Continue reading
Buried Treasure: Twice – 24/7
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. As much as I’ve enjoyed Twice’s singles, I’ve never pegged … Continue reading