Since the start of The Bias List in January 2016, I’ve always looked back at my three favorite title tracks by K-pop artists each month. Now, it’s time to look even further into the past, one month at a time. And, yes, the top three rankings count toward The Bias List’s personal artist scorecard! Which … Continue reading
Like it or not, this summer in K-pop has been completely hijacked by downtempo hip-hop and r&b — a holding pattern that is likely to continue next week with big releases by EXO-SC and Kang Daniel. I personally despise this turn of events, but what are you going to do? The music charts want what … Continue reading
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. February 2018 Overall Thoughts When it comes to k-pop, I was dreading February. Between the Pyeongchang … Continue reading
As we continue to build towards the unveiling of NCT‘s first full-length album, Baby Don’t Stop is the second volley in a series of pre-releases by sub-units of the group. Last week’s Boss set the bar pretty high, but to be honest I didn’t expect much from Stop. Taeyong and Ten are two of NCT’s most … Continue reading
My k-pop loving heart skips a beat every time I hear the name Yoo Young Jin. Despite having vastly different styles, he and Sweetune are my all-time favorite k-pop composers. But while I can find clear Western touchstones for Sweetune’s 80’s-drenched style, Yoo Young Jin’s unique beat-driven blend is without precedent. SM Entertainment uses his … Continue reading
Hitchhiker has long been one of my favorite SM Entertainment producers, collaborating with acts like Shinee and Super Junior to brilliant effect. His experimental solo work is a little harder to enjoy on a pure pop level, relying heavier on trippy, repetitive riffs and percussive loops than any sense of melody. Last year’s $10 felt … Continue reading
