Maybe it’s because he had limited promotions on music shows, but I often underestimate just how successful Park Jihoon’s solo debut was. His L.O.V.E was certainly a sleeper hit with me, and did a good job catering to his talents. Like most Produce 101 alumni, I still think he’d function better as part of a … Continue reading
Tag Archives: review
EXO – OBSESSION: In-Depth Album Review – DAY AFTER DAY
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
Song Review: U-Kwon – Fuego (ft. Reggae Peace Like A River)
Seeing U-Kwon’s name pop up on the K-pop release slate made me remember his group Block B for the first time in a while, and also made me realize how gradual their decline has been. Though not disbanded, the group seems to be in a state of purgatory, with some of its members in the … Continue reading
EXO – OBSESSION: In-Depth Album Review – NON STOP
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
Random Shuffle Review: Girls’ Generation (SNSD) – The Boys
With over 2,900 songs on my iPhone’s “K-Pop Singles” playlist, I thought it would be fun to add a bit of unpredictability to my song review posts. So as a result, we have the “Random Shuffle Review” feature. The rules are simple. I fire up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and whatever song plays first gets … Continue reading
EXO – OBSESSION: In-Depth Album Review – Baby You Are
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
EXO – OBSESSION: In-Depth Album Review – Ya Ya Ya
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
Song Review: JYP (Park Jinyoung) – Fever (ft. Superbee & Bibi)
JYP Entertainment has had a blockbuster year, but its founder hasn’t released new music in quite a while. In fact, the last time he dropped a music video was all the way back in the spring of 2016. New single Fever finds him back to his old ways: uncomfortably lustful in the video and undeniably … Continue reading
EXO – OBSESSION: In-Depth Album Review – Groove
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
Song Review: IZ – Memento
It’s been a rough year for us Sweetune fanatics. 2018 gave us several new classics, but all 2019 has offered are a couple of way-below-the-radar boy group tracks, a standout Japanese Hara (RIP) track, and a trio of IZ singles, which don’t sound like Sweetune at all despite being composed by the team. Oh, and … Continue reading
Song Review: NewKidd – Come
NewKidd made their official debut earlier this year with the underrated Tu Eres. That song didn’t represent any inventive musical breakthrough, but it harnessed K-pop’s obsession with deep house in an addictive way. For new single Come (컴), the guys have switched things up completely, presenting a dark, oddly structured track that mystifies just as … Continue reading
EXO – OBSESSION: In-Depth Album Review – Jekyll
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
Song Review: Limitless – Wish Wish
I was not a big fan of Limitless’ summer debut. In fact, at this point I can barely recall it at all. I know that it was vaguely tropical, but whatever hooks it might have delivered have evaporated with the changing of the seasons. But, debuts are often marred with growing pains. Sometimes it’s the … Continue reading
Song Review: TXT – Angel Or Devil
Much like Cat & Dog, the first time I heard TXT’s Angel Or Devil I was not particularly impressed. And also like Cat & Dog, I quickly became addicted to its goofy charm and now consider it an album highlight. Such is the power of TXT, I suppose. Seriously though, they have an uncanny ability … Continue reading
EXO – OBSESSION: In-Depth Album Review – Trouble
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession. Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track! 1. Obsession // 2. … Continue reading
Song Review: EXO – Obsession
Despite SM Entertainment’s occasional ambivalence when it comes to promotions, EXO comebacks still feel like events. Even with the group down to six members thanks to military enlistments, the arrival of their new album Obsession marks a much-anticipated bookend to 2019’s K-pop slate. We’ve had solos and sub-units all year long, but the full group … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: EXO – Stronger
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Stronger (from Ex’Act / Lotto – 2016) EXO often closes their albums with a more subdued song, and Stronger definitely fits that description. Essentially a piano ballad, the track has many peers within the group’s discography. It slots neatly between material like … Continue reading
Song Review: AOA – Come See Me
Though I’ve always loved AOA’s discography, I was only familiar with a few of the members prior to this year’s Queendom series. Because of this, I was delighted to find a group of ladies with an appealing sense of self-deprecating humor and a down-to-earth warmth at odds with their often-glamorous image. Korea seems to have … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: EXO – Stay
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with EXO’s A-Z reviews here! Stay (from Universe – 2017) Taken from EXO’s third winter album, Stay is a traditional piano-led mid-tempo augmented with a few unique instrumental touches. It’s even produced to sound like it’s spinning on an old record player. The chorus brings in some … Continue reading
Song Review: Kang Daniel – Touchin’
I was quite hard on Kang Daniel’s July debut. It felt too beholden to trends, at the expense of really showcasing his appealing personality. Still, the album was a huge commercial success, cementing his status as one of 2019’s biggest soloists. With new single Touchin’, his ban on music shows has been lifted and he’ll … Continue reading