After a glut of high-profile rookies in 2019, this year felt more subdued. There were still tons of new acts, and many of them made it onto my “Top 50 Songs” countdown. But, most hailed from smaller agencies with less promotional power. Making a rookies list is a combination of looking back and looking forward. … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! 1, 2, 3 (from SMTOWN Winter ‘The Warmest Gift’ – 2011) Released as part of the special winter compilation albums SM Entertainment used to release, 1,2,3 is undeniably cheesy. It feels as if it was ripped from some imaginary Disney movie, down … Continue reading
A couple weeks after the MAMA Awards showed the potential of an audience-less, pre-recorded stage show, KBS went far less ambitious. Now, it could be argued whether this broadcast should have happened at all given K-pop’s surging Covid cases, but the producers opted to cobble together what they could. I’m curious why this year’s Gayo … Continue reading
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, songs … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Zig Zag (from Electric Shock – 2012) Zig Zag is a percussive beast, throwing all its weight behind the robust set of rhythmic elements that make up most of its instrumental. Even the swoops of distorted synth have a percussive drive. And … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! You Are My Destiny (Luna & Krystal) (from Chu – 2009) Previewing the sentimental style they’d bring to many OST releases, You Are My Destiny is a standard K-ballad performed by two powerhouse vocalists. In that regard, it’s an enjoyable showcase for … Continue reading
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, songs … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! X (from 4 Walls – 2015) Continuing the retro grooves that fuel most of the 4 Walls album, X brings us back to 80’s electro-funk in great style. The gurgling instrumental is immensely appealing, and offers a playground for the girls to … Continue reading
Though Taeyeon is still an idol performer by definition, her music has slowly transitioned to sounds I would expect from independent artists. While this has garnered her credibility in many circles, it’s not the type of thing I tend to gravitate to. It’s been over a year since a new Taeyeon release has really sparked … Continue reading
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, songs … Continue reading
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! When I’m Alone (from 4 Walls – 2015) With a co-writing credit from Carly Rae Jepsen (!), you might expect When I’m Alone to be an upbeat bubblegum pop song. Instead, this glistening, synth-fueled slow burn caps off the 4 Walls album … Continue reading
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
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 Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 