One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Traveler (ft. Zico) (from 4 Walls – 2015) Traveler has a slinky dance beat that’s quite addictive. To describe the texture, the best word I can think of is “corrugated,” though I guess “oscillating” is probably the better musical term. Either way, … Continue reading
Well… 2020 was certainly different, wasn’t it? It was a year where the industry couldn’t function as usual, but that didn’t stop K-pop from churning out more music than ever. It was a year of unprecedented international success and rising album sales — just as most other music markets struggled to move physical product. It … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Toy (from Pink Tape – 2013) It’s not easy to stand out within the adventurous Pink Tape album, but I’ve always found Toy to be a particular highlight. I adore the fade-in that opens the track, making the chanted hook that follows … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Thrill Love (from Hungry Romeo, Luxury Juliet OST – 2010) Another of f(x)’s many OST releases, Thrill Love has a bit of spark to it. It’s not a patch on their best work, but the effusive synth production gives it a fluffy … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! The Truth Is (Shh!) (from Juloring Animal Detectives OST – 2010) Earlier in this feature, I remarked on how unadventurous f(x)’s OST songs were compared to their album work. Well… I guess all it takes is a children’s animation to bring out … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Sweet Witches (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) Sweet Witches is an off-kilter electro pop track with a bit of a lounge feel. It’s a real oddball, from its simple synth beat to its staccato melody. Almost the entire track hinges … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Surprise Party (from Nu ABO – 2010) With a glossy 90’s r&b beat and wisps of strings and keys, Surprise Party’s instrumental is its greatest asset. The entire thing harnesses a head-nodding groove, ornamenting the track in all the right places with … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Summer Lover (from Red Light – 2014) You’ll probably have a sense of how Summer Lover sounds before even playing it, and the song does a good job encapsulating the appeal of the season. The instrumental melds a stomping beat to an … Continue reading
The theme of this year’s MAMA Awards was “New-topia,” which sounds a bit chilling in a weird way. But, things were definitely new here. This was unlike any MAMA yet, lacking a live audience. But even though everything was accomplished on soundstages, I think the producers did a great job making this still feel like … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Step By Me (from Chu – 2009) Released as part of f(x)’s first single album, Step By Me only hints at the daring group they would become. Instead, it exists in the “cuter” range of the girls’ discography, offering a throwback rhythm … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Step (from Pink Tape – 2013) Step is the militant club anthem f(x) were born to deliver. It has personality for days, throbbing over brassy synths and distorted electronics. Much of the melody is targeted at the same endpoint, giving the verses … 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. While BoA’s Better doesn’t have quite as many highlights as 2018’s … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Stand Up! (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) Stand Up is the kind of cheery girl group song you’d expect of most K-pop acts. It actually feels a little more suited to the Japanese market than Korea. The melody is bright … Continue reading
I’ve been a little hard on NCT lately, but that’s only because I find their concept so promising. It borrows quite a bit from systems that the J-pop market has been using for ages, but has the potential to bring a uniquely K-pop aesthetic to the approach. That potential has popped up here and there … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Spread Its Wings (from God Of Study OST – 2010) A sub-unit track recorded for the God Of Study OST, Spread Its Wings brings together Luna, Krystal and Amber for a mushy mid-tempo that sounds exactly as you’d expect it to. For … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Spit It Out (from Red Light – 2014) Spit It Out’s introduction is quite exciting, unveiling an ascending bed of synths and vocals. This quickly collapses into an off-kilter rap before segueing into a rapid-fire melodic verse. The song moves at such … 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. Though Kai’s debut mini album isn’t exactly the sound I’d hoped … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Sorry (Dear.Daddy) (from Nu ABO – 2010) This song title does not inspire confidence. Despite considering Madonna’s Papa Don’t Preach one of the finest pop songs in history, these kind of daughter-to-father tracks are usually way too sentimental for me. And, that’s … Continue reading
K-pop legend BoA has returned with her tenth Korean album, celebrating twenty (!) years since her debut. That kind of career is rare for any pop star, but the K-pop industry tends to be extra fickle. The fact that BoA remains such a dynamic presence is a testament to her skill, charisma and willingness to … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! So Into U (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) So Into U has that classic “wet” sound I always associate with certain producers like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and that alone gives it some welcome nostalgia. As far as the … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 