A.C.E had the unlikely honor of releasing one of my favorite songs of 2019 and one of my least favorite songs of 2019. Apart from that, they’ve been a remarkably consistent group – at least when it comes to quality. Their release schedule has been anything but consistent. However, it looks like we’ll be getting … Continue reading
What to do with ONF’s New World (신세계)? I’m all about classification, and this song doesn’t really fit within K-pop’s usual categories. I wouldn’t normally review a song that’s been given a performance video rather than an actual music video. Yet, I don’t think you can really call New World a b-side either, since it’s … Continue reading
I’ve been longing for the return of “funky Seventeen” for way too long now. Their first three years remain unbeatable, offering a steady supply of rollicking, upbeat tracks. These can still be found from time to time within their albums, but the group’s title tracks have steered toward angstier and edgier material for some time … Continue reading
After their brief but shining stint on Road to Kingdom, Golden Child have returned with the final installment in their current trilogy of singles. Like Wannabe and Without You, One (Lucid Dream) was composed by Woollim in-house producer BLSSD. As incredibly talented as he is, I’ve been hesitant about him steering Golden Child’s sound. He … 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’m in the market for a fun, frothy girl group summer … Continue reading
When I think of K-pop survival series, IU doesn’t immediately come to mind. But to be fair, she probably never thought she’d be singing something called “Into the I-Land” either. For those who haven’t been keeping up, I-Land is the name of Big Hit Entertainment and MNET’s upcoming “making the band” series, where trainees will … 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. In an alternate timeline, Stray Kids just released their new mini … Continue reading
As Twice’s 2019 material matured, that sense of sophistication bled over to their Japanese discography as well. Both Breakthrough and Fake & True represented quantum leaps in quality when stacked against past J-pop releases. I had hope that this streak would continue, but new single Fanfare pulls them back a little. This is despite the … Continue reading
For me, Weki Meki’s discography has been extremely hit or miss. For every Tiki Taka or Picky Picky, there’s a Dazzle Dazzle. Apparently, they love repetitive titles, as well! “Oopsy” might as well be a thinly veiled apology for some of their more regrettable material. In reality, it’s the title of their newest single, and … Continue reading
Boy group D1CE have been saddled with a horrible fate for any newly debuted rookie: the long hiatus. We haven’t heard from them since last July, sacrificing almost a year of unfilled potential. It’s hard enough to build momentum when you’re from a smaller agency, but lack of activity makes for an even trickier situation. … Continue reading
I nearly selected CRAVITY’s Cloud 9 as a “buried treasure” back when it was first released in April. I’m glad I didn’t, because now it’s been chosen as a summer follow-up single. And while the track isn’t anything revolutionary, its bright, upbeat sound is a welcome salve for all of the edgy, moody boy group … Continue reading
When it comes to sound and style, Nature have been on a roller coaster. As an under-the-radar rookie, they’re making a lot of the right moves, even if it doesn’t always result in the right songs. What I mean by this is that they’re taking chances. Whatever you might think of them, title tracks like … Continue reading
I always get a little nervous when it’s time for another Stray Kids comeback. I adore so much of their material, but their hard-hitting hip-hop sound can also be pretty hit-or-miss when it comes to my personal taste. I tend to enjoy their songs best when they incorporate an additional instrumental element, from psy-trance to … Continue reading
I have no idea what a “mazy” night is supposed to be, but if that’s the kind of night it takes to get a song like this, I want my whole freaking life to me mazy. Seriously, though, Mazy Night has been a long time coming. Originally scheduled for release at the end of April, … Continue reading
When we last met rookies AWEEK, they were thrilling us with the brisk dance track Breathe. Though I haven’t returned to that song as much as I would have thought, it still stands as one of 2019’s more refreshing efforts. New single 1.4.3 (Henry says hi!) opts for a brighter sound, delivering the kind of … Continue reading
After an uncertain 2019, IZ*ONE are back on track with the release of their second album this year. Though they’ve flirted with several different production teams, their sound has remained in the same general ballpark. For me, though, they’ve yet to replicate the taut momentum of Violeta. February’s Fiesta had its moments, but was a … 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. Every NCT-related album this year has had its high and low … Continue reading
I’ve spent the past few weeks poring over the performances of Road to Kingdom’s competing groups. But to be honest, I’ve always been much more infatuated with music – the actual songs – than all the trappings that go along with them. That’s why, even though ONF didn’t rank at the top for me this … 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 think that Cosmic Girls’ Neverland is my favorite girl group … Continue reading
It’s hard to believe there was a time when Brown Eyed Girls were gifting K-pop with mainstream blockbusters like Abracadabra and ambitious opuses like Sixth Sense. The group – and its members – has since moved on to more niche material, including a genre-hopping covers album late last year. Solo releases have been infrequent, and … Continue reading
