One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Between Me and You (from Reality – 2015) In the running for Infinite’s best ballad, the rock-tinged Between Me and You is one of the strongest vocal showcases in the group’s entire discography. Growing from an organ-like synth, the opening verse builds tension … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! Bad (from Reality – 2015) Though its simple chant of a chorus was initially disappointing for a group who had made their name on the strength of such indelible melodies, Bad’s hip-hop inspired arrangement is bolstered by the symphonic grandiosity that drives … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! As Good As It Gets (from New Challenge – 2013) Sweetune had been working with Infinite for years before As Good As It Gets was recorded, and by this time the production team had full mastery of how to utilize the guys’ … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with Infinite’s A-Z reviews here! An Inconvenient Truth (from New Challenge – 2013) Long before the tropical trend hit maximum impact, An Inconvenient Truth’s bright synths brought an island sound to k-pop. Though the song’s lyrics have been derided by many, there’s no denying the strength of its … Continue reading
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. Judging from commentary online, B1A4‘s Rollin‘ comeback has disappointed a … Continue reading
There are few “sure things” in k-pop. but the beauty of a self-produced group is that you can be assured of some sense of musical consistency. B1A4 has been that group for the better part of their career, driven primarily by the songwriting prowess of members Jinyoung and CNU. Leader Jinyoung has been in charge … Continue reading
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. There have been some big name rookies already this year, … Continue reading
SM Entertainment has promised a second half of the year that sees a return of some of its biggest legacy artists. That kicks off with the tenth anniversary comeback of Girls’ Generation. It’s been two years since the girls’ last album, and this extended wait has built up plenty of anticipation. As enjoyable as the … Continue reading
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. Thank god for EXO-CBX. Even when EXO itself veers toward … Continue reading
Over the past year and a half, underrated group Snuper have gone from strength to strength, solidifying a signature sound and cultivating a growing fan base. They were never going to be an act who hits it big right out of the gate. For the most part, their music bucks current trends in favor of … Continue reading
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. If the executives at SM Entertainment had put me in … Continue reading
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. Red Velvet‘s Red Summer mini album is so strong that … Continue reading
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. Sometimes k-pop comeback choices baffle me. Why Halo (or Halo’s … Continue reading
I’m a big fan of most material released by SM Entertainment, but it’s been awhile since the agency promoted a track that wasn’t trying to be anything else but a chart-conquering, energy-building pop hit. Even Red Velvet‘s last single, which seemed to grow on almost everyone, initially split opinion with with its chirpy, repetitive chorus. … Continue reading
Some songs just scream summer. And with July approaching, I’m hoping to hear quite a few of them soon. But the first single to really embrace the sunny pop stylings of the season isn’t actually from Korea. Japan beat k-pop to the prize in the form of Junho’s deliriously catchy Ice Cream. Given his stature … Continue reading
Much has been made about BLACKPINK essentially being a replacement group for the now-disbanded 2NE1. And I get it. There are four of them, they’re part of YG Entertainment, and they work with the same producers that crafted 2NE1’s sound. In the case of new single As If It’s Your Last (마지막처럼), we’re likely dealing … Continue reading
Whether it be in Korean or Japanese, B1A4 know how to deliver a pop song. The group has had a high level of control over their music for quite a number of years, with most of their material composed by either leader Jinyoung or vocalist CNU. That approach has extended to their j-pop releases as … Continue reading
It’s such a thrill to write about a solo G-Dragon track. Though Bigbang has been active over the past few years, we haven’t heard from G-Dragon on his own since 2013’s brilliant Coup d’Etat album. But on a personal level, he was one of my first ambassadors to k-pop as a whole. I can’t think … Continue reading
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. So far, 2017 has been short on strong pop albums. … Continue reading
There’s something to be said for sticking with a producer for longer than a handful of releases. And when that producer is Sweetune, a group can be assured that they’re in good hands. Though Snuper may not have reaped the same commercial success as some of their peers, they have been the most consistent rookie group … Continue reading
