Each year, this countdown becomes more difficult to compile. Increasingly, K-pop songwriting has become a team activity. This makes it hard to suss out who exactly is responsible for what, and it also tends to flatten musical perspective and quirk. Even so, I’ve combed through the credits of my favorite 2023 music to find ten … Continue reading
I’m one of those K-pop fans who scours pre-release track lists for producer credits. I often become more excited by my favorite composer’s name on a track than the actual artist themselves. Because of this, my “top producers of the year” countdown has become a fun annual tradition. After all, these songs don’t materialize from … Continue reading
This is one of those “unique to The Bias List” countdowns, since most end-of-year lists focus on the artists and not the behind-the-scenes talent. But, I’ve always been a sucker for a great songwriter. Few K-pop acts stick with the same producers for long, making it even more important to find your favorite composers and … Continue reading
Fresh off the heels of a collaboration with NCT’s Doyoung and Haechan, Ryan Jhun has delivered the second installment of his new Maxis series. I love when notable producers tackle this concept – finding channels for their own work rather than submitting songs to an agency. I’m not sure how long this project is slated … Continue reading
Though he may not receive the same level of attention as other production teams, Ryan Jhun has been a K-pop architect for over a decade now. His touch can be found in many modern classics (View, Love Me Right, Dumb Dumb, Lucifer, My First And Last, Baby Don’t Stop etc etc etc) and his name … Continue reading
“Follow the producers.” That’s been my mantra since day one. Yes, there are certain idol groups who catch my attention more than others, but when it comes down to it, it’s the songs that really matter. And although they might not get the same attention, composers and producers are the ones responsible for the music … Continue reading
You all know how much I love a good producer! Honestly, I almost get more excited by the presence of certain producers’ names on title tracks than the artists themselves. Like last year, my countdown includes ten of 2018’s best composers. You’ll notice a lot of repeats from 2017, shuffled into different places. But, 2018 … Continue reading
Producers and composers are the fuel that keeps k-pop going, and they’re the very first album credit that I check when a new project is being teased. Last year, I counted down the top five producers, but I’m doubling that in 2017 to shine focus on some of the incredible talents that crafted this year … Continue reading
If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of k-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers. RYAN S. … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 