First off, the phrase “blank effect” pretty much describes my reaction to the majority of K-pop this year! Secondly, I really like Park Jihoon as an idol but often struggle to embrace the music he makes. When he hits it out of the park, the result is super impressive — like this or this. But … Continue reading
DreamNote’s Blue was a refreshing palette cleanser — a pre-release that showcased their vocals and brought a shot of emotion to their underrated discography. As its title might suggest, Lemonade is much brighter and bubblier. As far as this specific K-pop style goes, Lemonade is a solid example. There’s not much critique I can offer … Continue reading
Lee Chaeyeon’s debut album was a quirky introduction that stood out. It seemed to promise an interesting musical future for the soloist, and if WM Entertainment’s track record is anything to go by, we’re in for a wild ride. New single Knock is another step in the right direction, though it falls short of becoming … Continue reading
Sometimes a song’s first few seconds tell you all you need to know. X:IN’s Keeping The Fire opens with a limp brass loop — a style popularized by songs like BLACKPINK’s Kill This Love. Of K-pop’s many tropes, this is one of my least favorites and almost guarantees a track will be anchored by some … Continue reading
It’s been almost a year since we heard from KARD, and to be honest I can’t remember much about their last title track. But, they’ve made a subtle sonic shift for new single Without You – opting for a club-ready sound that retains many of the elements that made them popular in the first place. … Continue reading
In my mind, IVE are the most exciting girl group working in K-pop right now. This bore out across 2022, as they blitzed the market with a succession of addicting (and highly successful) singles. While incorporating popular trends, their music aims for the pop jugular in a way few others do. They’re not afraid of … Continue reading
K-pop groups must stop unveiling their music videos before their album release. It seriously messes with my review schedule! To make matters worse, I had nearly finished my write-up for Kep1er’s Giddy when the song froze and contorted into a harsh sound of mangled metal. My computer locked up and I was forced to do … Continue reading
Rumors have been swirling that Mark’s new solo track Golden Hour is a Gordon Ramsay diss track, stemming from an infamous Twitter exchange. The idea alone is humorous. But although the famous chef is mentioned in the lyrics, the song itself is much weirder and more inscrutable. Whatever I may think about Golden Hour (honestly… … Continue reading
The BTS solos continue to arrive at an ever-increasing pace. Mere weeks after Jimin dropped his debut solo album, groupmate Suga has returned with a pre-release for his latest work under the Agust D moniker. People Pt.2 (사람 Pt.2) pairs him with IU for a sonic sequel to his 2020 track People. This song is … Continue reading
This is an interesting collaboration. I didn’t expect to see Heize pair with producer R.Tee, resulting in a sound that’s far more dancefloor-oriented than most of her work. Similar to his 2019 track with Anda (still a banger btw), Vingle Vingle (빙글빙글) centers around an instrumental-drop-as-chorus. If you must employ this overused trope, you better … Continue reading
The Faker Club label is on a roll, producing some of the industry’s most addictive synthpop. It’s been a joy watching from20’s career blossom from cool indie artist to impressive pop star. Last August’s Chemical became one of my most-played songs of 2022 and new single Bad Revenge maintains its undeniable flair. The production on … Continue reading
Every Apink review should start with a recognition of the group’s longevity. The fact that they continue to release new music is admirable and it’s great to have more active sunbaenims in K-pop’s girl group sphere. Even if I haven’t connected with much of what they’ve done post-2019, Apink have consistently delivering strong, stylish material … Continue reading
In this feature, I zoom into some of K-pop’s most legendary weeks — short periods of time that delivered multiple classics. K-pop is usually a Monday through Friday affair (at least in my time zone), with some weeks stuffed to the brim with releases. But, not all include multiple 9+ rated songs. Here, I’ll through … Continue reading
Fantastics’ Panorama Jet first emerged in February and I included it in my “New and Noteworthy J-Pop” round-up back then. But, there’s no way I’m not writing about the song in more detail now that it has an official music video! I love this group too much. Their music never fails to energize and inspire. … Continue reading
Thus far, I picture DreamNote as a fizzy/fun girl group, characterized by this 2019 standout. But, 2020’s Wish and 2021’s Ghost started to reinvent their sound. And now, pre-release track Blue makes a case for the strength of their vocals. As a song, Blue isn’t anything out of the ordinary. But as a performance, it … Continue reading
Kim Wooseok hasn’t promoted with UP10TION for years, and his departure from the group was made official this February. Pour one out for this eternal classic! But unlike other members, he’s remained with TOP Media. Looking back, I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a single title track from Wooseok. Sometimes that just happens. Obviously, our tastes … Continue reading
When writing about my favorite rookies of 2022, I mentioned how excited I was to see where NewJeans’ music would go after their breakout year. Sadly, the path it’s taking is not for me. NewJeans don’t need my help, as their incredible chart success has proven. But as their brand of muted pop starts to … Continue reading
This isn’t a title track or a “buried treasure,” but aespa’s new Tetris OST seems noteworthy enough to receive a write-up. Yes… you read that right. “Tetris OST.” We’re living in the upside-down, here. Thankfully, this upcoming Tetris movie is billed as a biopic/thriller and not one of those awful animated cash-ins that ruin a … Continue reading
Jisoo is the final member of BLACKPINK to make her solo debut, four-and-a-half years since Jennie kicked things off with Solo. Long waiting periods are nothing new for fans of this group (or YG in general), but long hiatuses would be worth it if they resulted in classic material. Sadly, the opposite has occurred. I … Continue reading
Since making his breakthrough in early 2018, Holland has struggled to consistently release music. After a blitz of singles at the end of the last decade, Number Boy is his first new work in years. It’s a welcome return for the groundbreaking performer and reestablishes him as a purveyor of moody synthpop. With this sound … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 