In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
Tag Archives: sm
Battle of the B-Sides: g.o.d, Red Velvet, GOT7, SF9, Dreamcatcher
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
Song Review: Ten (WayV) – Silence
Promotion of Japanese music is often unpredictable. Ten’s Silence was released over a month ago as part of his first Japanese mini album but its music video has finally arrived today. I listened to the song back when it first came out and can’t remember a thing about it, but sometimes extra promotion unveils aspects … Continue reading
Song Review: Red Velvet – Irene & Seulgi – Tilt
Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi made their unit debut all the way back in 2020, spawning two singles backed by high gloss fashion and plenty of charisma. Five years later, they’ve returned with a new mini album and the club-ready title track Tilt. Along with Seventeen’s Thunder, today seems to be the day for dance … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from May 18 – 24
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. In 2025, I thought I’d try something new and add a weekly feature to supplement my monthly round-up. Each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And … Continue reading
Song Review: SHINee – Poet | Artist
SHINee have spent the last week celebrating their anniversary with the streaming of multiple concerts. This all builds up to a new single, written by (and featuring vocals from) their late member Jonghyun. Though Poet | Artist won’t be promoted beyond a music video, it still feels more notable than a typical fan song. After … Continue reading
K-Pop Risers & Fallers: May 2025
Rather than contain my “Risers and Fallers” feature to a single post in June, I’m going to share a bite-sized version at the end of each month. This will let me account for more songs and make a nice lead-in to the monthly round-up post. I anticipate most of these ratings adjustments will be negligible: … Continue reading
RIIZE ODYSSEY: In-Depth Album Review – Another Life
RIIZE’s new album has a very strong visual element, with music videos or shortened “track videos” for each song. Because of this (and because the album is so strong), I’ll be working through the entire track list over the next few days. Make sure to check back often! 1. Odyssey // 2. Bag Bad Back … Continue reading
RIIZE ODYSSEY: In-Depth Album Review – Inside My Love
RIIZE’s new album has a very strong visual element, with music videos or shortened “track videos” for each song. Because of this (and because the album is so strong), I’ll be working through the entire track list over the next few days. Make sure to check back often! 1. Odyssey // 2. Bag Bad Back … Continue reading
RIIZE ODYSSEY: In-Depth Album Review – The End Of The Day
RIIZE’s new album has a very strong visual element, with music videos or shortened “track videos” for each song. Because of this (and because the album is so strong), I’ll be working through the entire track list over the next few days. Make sure to check back often! 1. Odyssey // 2. Bag Bad Back … Continue reading
RIIZE ODYSSEY: In-Depth Album Review – Midnight Mirage
RIIZE’s new album has a very strong visual element, with music videos or shortened “track videos” for each song. Because of this (and because the album is so strong), I’ll be working through the entire track list over the next few days. Make sure to check back often! 1. Odyssey // 2. Bag Bad Back … Continue reading
RIIZE ODYSSEY: In-Depth Album Review – Show Me Love
RIIZE’s new album has a very strong visual element, with music videos or shortened “track videos” for each song. Because of this (and because the album is so strong), I’ll be working through the entire track list over the next few days. Make sure to check back often! 1. Odyssey // 2. Bag Bad Back … Continue reading
RIIZE ODYSSEY: In-Depth Album Review – Ember To Solar
RIIZE’s new album has a very strong visual element, with music videos or shortened “track videos” for each song. Because of this (and because the album is so strong), I’ll be working through the entire track list over the next few days. Make sure to check back often! 1. Odyssey // 2. Bag Bad Back … Continue reading
RIIZE ODYSSEY: In-Depth Album Review – Bag Bad Back
RIIZE’s new album has a very strong visual element, with music videos or shortened “track videos” for each song. Because of this (and because the album is so strong), I’ll be working through the entire track list over the next few days. Make sure to check back often! 1. Odyssey // 2. Bag Bad Back … Continue reading
RIIZE ODYSSEY: In-Depth Album Review – Odyssey
RIIZE’s new album has a very strong visual element, with music videos or shortened “track videos” for each song. Because of this (and because the album is so strong), I’ll be working through the entire track list over the next few days. Make sure to check back often! 1. Odyssey // 2. Bag Bad Back … Continue reading
Song Review: RIIZE – Fly Up
RIIZE premiered their first full album in a slightly novel way, unveiling a forty-two minute long mini-movie incorporating each of the ten tracks. This followed pre-release Bag Bad Back, a song that has grown on me immensely. But more importantly, it means that I’ve been able to soak in title track Fly Up for a … Continue reading
THIS WEEK IN K-POP: Ranking the New Releases from May 11 – 17
At the end of each month, I compile my top three K-pop title tracks and list a ton of honorable mentions. In 2025, I thought I’d try something new and add a weekly feature to supplement my monthly round-up. Each Sunday, I’ll offer a compendium of the week’s new releases featured on the blog. And … Continue reading
New & Noteworthy J-pop of the Week (May 18, 2025)
In connection with my desire to fully keep up with the J-pop industry, I’m planning to do a weekly round-up of any new releases that have caught my ear. Some of these may have been covered on the blog already, but my hope is that this will become a one-stop shop for anyone interested in … Continue reading
Song Review: Taeyong (NCT) – Rose (ft. Red Velvet’s Seulgi)
Rose is an interesting display of time travel. NCT’s Taeyong is still on hiatus as he fulfils his military service. This song was first unveiled in 2021 and the video premiered during an event last year. Now, it’s finally made its way online in time for Korea’s Rose Day. I don’t think we can call … Continue reading
Song Review: Yuta (NCT) – Twisted Paradise
NCT’s Yuta made his solo debut last year with a pummeling J-rock sound. Of all the group’s members, his solo work has felt the most leftfield so far and that’s a great thing. It’s clear he’s passionate about this style, which should always be the number one element fueling solo work. This passion continues with … Continue reading