Each year, it feels like my B-Sides and Album Tracks list grows stronger and stronger. Too often, K-pop agencies miss the boat on releasing these incredible songs as title tracks. 2021 was no different, revealing a host of gems that would have topped my Singles list had they been promoted. Instead, I’ve got two days … Continue reading
Tag Archives: shinee
The Top 40 K-Pop Album Tracks & B-Sides of 2021 (40-21)
Each year, it feels like my B-Sides and Album Tracks list grows stronger and stronger. Too often, K-pop agencies miss the boat on releasing these incredible songs as title tracks. 2021 was no different, revealing a host of gems that would have topped my Singles list had they been promoted. Instead, I’ve got two days … Continue reading
Song Review: Minho (SHINee) – Heartbreak
Compared to his SHINee bandmates, Minho’s solo career has always gotten short shrift. Fans have made do with a digital single here and there, rather than the mini and full albums that carved out niches for Taemin and Key. Because of this, I’m not totally sure how a full Minho comeback would sound. Would he … Continue reading
The Top 10 K-Pop Albums of 2021
2021 offered quite a few strong albums, enough for both of my categories to include numerous honorable mentions. Full albums were especially great this year — a trend I hope to see continue in 2022. Like usual, my top ten list is cut in half, presenting the top five mini albums and the top five … Continue reading
The Top 10 K-Pop Artists of 2021
After ranking my favorite rookies of 2021, I turn my attention to K-pop’s more established artists. This year, the criteria is the same as ever: Quality of work Quantity of work Influence of work on the industry As usual, the first criteria far outweighs the next two, and is entirely subjective. This is not a … Continue reading
The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2021 (Day Five: 10-1)
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … Continue reading
The Top 50 K-Pop Songs of 2021 (Day Two: 40-31)
The end of the year countdowns are finally here! As always, we’ll kick off with the big one: The Bias List’s top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. To be eligible for this top 50 list, … Continue reading
Battle of the B-Sides: SHINee, Miss A, Girls’ Generation, BTOB, SF9
K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
Grading the K-Pop Agencies 2021: SM ENTERTAINMENT
It’s not quite December yet, but I’m going to kick off this annual feature a little early this year! Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at many of K-pop’s biggest agencies and offering my thoughts about how their 2021 went. First up is SM Entertainment. As usual, the thoughts are my own and … Continue reading
Key BAD LOVE: In-Depth Album Review – Eighteen (End Of My World)
In honor of SHINee’s Key taking charge of his sound on new mini album Bad Love, I’ll be taking a look at each track throughout the week. Check back every day, and make sure to explore my other In-Depth Album Reviews if you’re interested! 1. Bad Love // 2. Yellow Tape // 3. Hate That… … Continue reading
The Top Three K-Pop Songs of September 2021
At the end of each month, I look back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists. I take my own ratings into account, but there’s a bit of wiggle room as certain songs tend to grow or fade. September 2021 Overall Thoughts September is usually a hit of miss month. Releases tend to be … Continue reading
Key BAD LOVE: In-Depth Album Review – Saturday Night
In honor of SHINee’s Key taking charge of his sound on new mini album Bad Love, I’ll be taking a look at each track throughout the week. Check back every day, and make sure to explore my other In-Depth Album Reviews if you’re interested! 1. Bad Love // 2. Yellow Tape // 3. Hate That… … Continue reading
Key BAD LOVE: In-Depth Album Review – Helium
In honor of SHINee’s Key taking charge of his sound on new mini album Bad Love, I’ll be taking a look at each track throughout the week. Check back every day, and make sure to explore my other In-Depth Album Reviews if you’re interested! 1. Bad Love // 2. Yellow Tape // 3. Hate That… … Continue reading
Key BAD LOVE: In-Depth Album Review – Yellow Tape
In honor of SHINee’s Key taking charge of his sound on new mini album Bad Love, I’ll be taking a look at each track throughout the week. Check back every day, and make sure to explore my other In-Depth Album Reviews if you’re interested! 1. Bad Love // 2. Yellow Tape // 3. Hate That… … Continue reading
Song Review: Key (SHINee) – Bad Love
After being delayed from a planned July release, SHINee’s Key has finally returned as a soloist with his Bad Love mini album. Judging from reports, he and SM Entertainment clashed on everything from concept to title track. I imagine a scenario where SM presented some dusty old NCT scrap and said: “this is what the … Continue reading
Song Review: Key – Hate That… (ft. Taeyeon)
K-pop acts should never publicize comeback plans too far in advance. Schedules are fraught with uncertainty, especially when it comes to big agencies like SM Entertainment. Key’s new solo album was initially promised for July, but has now been pushed back to the end of September. To satiate eager fans, he’s pre-released Hate That — … Continue reading
Battle of the B-Sides: Onew, Seventeen, Deux, VIXX, BoA
K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
Battle of the B-Sides: Laboum, SHINee, B.A.P, U-KISS, BoA
K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
Battle of the B-Sides: Key, Pentagon, Red Velvet, A.C.E, Kim Hyun Joong
K-pop’s title tracks might gain most of listeners’ attention, but many album tracks are worth equal spotlight. I call these “buried treasures.” Beyond this, K-pop’s albums deliver thousands of additional tracks that settle for a more limited audience. It’s these songs that will become a part of my “battle of the b-sides” feature. In this … Continue reading
Ultimate K-pop Summer Song Final Match-Up: The Winner
Over the past three weeks, we’ve been voting on a series of K-pop summer songs. Throughout the match-ups, we’ve seen titans fall and underdogs rise. It all culminated in yesterday’s final battle, where SHINee’s View went up against Golden Child’s Let Me. So… which track won? Well, the Goldenness have descended. I guess I shouldn’t … Continue reading