One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! Mr. Blue (from Fever Season – 2019) We’re firmly in GFriend’s brief tropical phase with Mr. Blue. The group didn’t follow trends often, but the whole Fever Season album felt more like a concession than a breath of fresh air. That said, … Continue reading
It always amazes me how quickly artists can jump back into work after their military enlistment ends. Jay B returned less than a month ago, yet today he’s released his first full album. He may have been working on this for years, but it’s still impressive he was able to get it off the ground … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! My Buddy (from Flower Bud – 2015) Ah, the requisite treacly fan song. You’re always going to get a few of these in the discography of any idol act. At least this one’s quite upbeat. It has that cliched “wave your hands … Continue reading
The holiday season is upon us, which means K-Pop (and J-Pop) will soon be unleashing their seasonal efforts on the market. Alongside the release of their first Japanese album, NCT Wish are ready to usher in winter with the festive Wishful Winter. The song makes sense for November/December but feels like a throwaway in the … Continue reading
Seventeen are here to cap off an incredibly successful 2024 with the release of a new Japanese single. Shohikigen (消費期限) has been available for awhile now (I first wrote about it as part of a J-pop round-up), but they’ve just unveiled the music video for the song. While it’s rare for a K-pop act to … Continue reading
Ten years after her debut with Red Velvet, Irene has finally released her first solo album. Better late than never — especially as the group enters a phase of their career when solo work tends to be more common. Like A Flower is well-suited to this musical era, drawing upon trends to craft a catchy … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! Mermaid (from LOL – 2016) There aren’t really many skips on the LOL album, but this is one of the tracks that doesn’t stand out as much for me. It’s got touches of their signature 2016 sound, tied to a much more … Continue reading
Last week, WayV pre-released the upbeat High Five, building on the funky energy of this spring’s Give Me That. Now, it’s time to move back into edgier territory. Title track Frequency melds old-school hip-hop rhythms with the harsh performance style many expect from the NCT universe. Compared to similar efforts in this mold, the song … Continue reading
Ushering in your debut with a self-titled track has become a bit trendy these days, with Izna the latest to cement their status this way. The group was formed on season two of I-LAND — the same series that created ENHYPEN in 2020. That’s where the similarities end, as Izna are under the production hand … Continue reading
TWS has been a musical balm this 2024, offering structurally diverse bursts of exciting pop when everyone else was going beige and repetitive. To me, there hasn’t been a debut year this airtight in years and now the guys are tying a bow on their successful 2024 with a shift to a more sentimental sound. … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! Memoria (from Fallin’ Light – 2018) Previous Thoughts: “This is not the high-octane dance pop many might have expected. It’s far more restrained, gradually developing its story rather than hitting listeners all at once.” (full review) Updated thoughts: GFriend’s Japanese releases always … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! Me Gustas Tu (from Flower Bud – 2015) Sometimes it’s so weird what makes a song popular. I have to remind myself that most people aren’t like me: voracious seekers of new music. Casual listeners need great songs pushed in their face, … Continue reading
K-Pop’s first generation is often referenced as the foundation for the industry we enjoy now, but there aren’t enough good English-language sources that give its music the focus it deserves. I’m hoping to change that with a continuing flashback series, spotlighting personal highlights from the era – both iconic and obscure. The era in question … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with GFriend’s A-Z reviews here! MAGO (from Walpurgis Night – 2020) Previous Thoughts: “And, like many of K-pop’s recent retro offerings, MAGO has a great chorus. It’s a two-parter, kicking off with an effervescent refrain that feels like a big centerpiece without going overboard. This is followed … Continue reading
Jay Chang has had quite a varied idol career so far. First appearing on Boys Planet, he later debuted with boy group One Pact. Then, he participated in another survival series (Build Up) and debuted with its winning project group B.D.U. That contract took him away from One Pact’s recent comeback. All the while, he’s … Continue reading
ICHILLIN’ released a couple great tracks early this year, but both ended up falling off my playlist much quicker than expected. They each felt more like production showcases than enduring melodies — an approach that often struggles in the long run once the excitement of that production wears off. I predict a similar future for … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 