ITZY haven’t made a comeback since last summer, but their presence has definitely been felt within the K-pop industry during that hiatus. So many girl groups are taking influence from …
Read More »[Review] Yezi continues down new path, this time more successfully with “Home”
Only a month after her last solo release, ex-Fiestar member Yezi has already returned with another track. For most of her solo career, she’s capitalized on her skills as a …
Read More »[Review] “Kick It” suits NCT 127 and excels when at its most unhinged
Despite unlimited potential for new sub-units, NCT’s Korean promotion has largely boiled down to releases from either 127 or Dream. Both have secured plenty of fans under the NCT umbrella, …
Read More »[Review] Lee Daehwi’s “Rose, Scent, Kiss” is the stand out from the AB6IX solos
AB6IX’s solo project 5NALLY is mostly one long dirge, where the members’ personalities take a backseat to the kind of trendy music that prioritizes “cool” over interesting. Lee Daehwi’s Rose, …
Read More »[Review] ELRIS throw everything into “Jackpot”, though perhaps a few things too many
It’s been a staggering twenty months since Elris’s last promoted comeback. That kind of lengthy hiatus is often a death knell for idol groups. At the very least, it necessitates …
Read More »[Review] IU’s “I Give You My Heart” from ‘Crash Landing On You’ provides a wonderful melody & flawless execution
One thing I’ve always loved is how the Korean ballad is the staple of every Korean drama OST. There is no better way to express the ‘feels’ when watching a …
Read More »[Review] Sexy Zone’s “Far East Dance” serves as a breath of fresh air
With the Tokyo Olympics coming up this year, I expect the J-pop industry to unveil all sorts of material highlighting Japanese culture and cheering their athletes on. The anthemic sounds …
Read More »[Review] BTS go ambitious for “ON” to mixed success
BTS’s new album Map Of The Soul: 7 arrives with the kind of multi-week media roll-out that’s more commonly attached to artists outside the K-pop industry. It’s billed as a momentous release …
Read More »[Review] Weki Meki take an odd step backward with “Dazzle Dazzle”
Weki Meki didn’t release much music in 2019, but it was their strongest year yet. Picky Picky drew on their quirkier side to great appeal, and Tiki Taka was the …
Read More »[Review] KARD find their groove within the bombast on “Red Moon”
KARD have publicly talked about their difficulties finding music within the K-pop industry that’s written for a co-ed group. Their mixed configuration has become a distinct calling card, but also …
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