It’s been quite some time since I’ve written about a new Bullet Train track. To be honest, their music just hasn’t been the same since vocalist Koichi left. That’s no dig …
Read More »[Review] ASTRO dull themselves to match trends on “Knock”
In an all-too familiar K-pop template, Astro’s increasing success has come with a shift in their music. Their once bright, energetic style has dulled to a generic, moody haze — …
Read More »[Review] Taeyeon is “Happy”, but doesn’t inspire the same emotion
More than almost anything else in the world, music makes me happy. There’s a certain indescribable rush that my favorite songs give me, and it can’t really be quantified. I …
Read More »[Review] NCT Dream goes “Ridin” with refreshing ambition
NCT’s rotational nature is in full effect this year, with the news that Mark would be re-joining NCT Dream later in 2020. Before that happens, the unit’s six-member configuration has …
Read More »[Review] “Stay Tonight” an excellent match with Chungha
Since her solo debut in 2017, Chungha’s popularity has steadily climbed. She’s arguably become the most successful female soloist in this generation of idol pop, with every title track lodging itself …
Read More »[Review] Oh My Girl saddled with a mash of trop & trap on “Nonstop”
In a perfect world, Oh My Girl would have had a big, “Remember Me“-style comeback track waiting to be released just after their successful run on last year’s Queendom. Maybe …
Read More »[Review] MIYAVI’s surging rock anthem “Bang!” part of creative resurgence
Since its release last month, I’ve held up NEWS‘s ‘Story‘ as 2020’s best J-pop album so far, but MIYAVI’s new ‘Holy Nights‘ might just give it a run for its money. …
Read More »[Review] APRIL’s “LALALILALA” nostalgic wistfulness that contrasts well with moodier trends
2020’s girl group slate has given us “Dun Duns” and “Nun Nu Nan Nas“, “ASSAs” and “Dumhdurums“. So, it only makes sense that this onomatopoeia train would wind up at …
Read More »[Review] IMFACT’s driving & effective “Lie” is quite a relief to hear
Last week, I lamented that it had been three months since I had rated a K-pop boy group title track higher than 8.25. This got me thinking about which act …
Read More »[Review] GOT7 unfortunately blend in with the crowd on “Not By The Moon”
My relationship with GOT7’s post-2015 music has been fraught with disappointment and disinterest. However, 2019 reignited some sparks, led by a strong spring mini album and a great fall single in the …
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