Since opening Label SJ (a sub-label supported by SM Entertainment), Super Junior have taken a more active role in the production of their music. This is (understandably) the ultimate goal …
Read More »[Review] 1THE9’s “Spotlight” tries to make ‘merry go round’ swaggy, basically
When it comes to groups spawned by survival shows, it’s hard to predict what genre their music will take. More often than not, these projects simply cycle through whatever trends …
Read More »[Review] BTS & Halsey collab produces perfectly addictive summer radio hit in “Boy With Luv”
BTS have used their rising profile in the West to collab with various famous artists to varying degrees of success. The group’s latest comeback is “Boy With Luv” is another …
Read More »[Review] BVNDIT debut with familiar, workmanlike “Hocus Pocus”
BVNDIT’s debut album is titled ‘BVNDIT, Be Ambitious,’ yet it’s anchored by a title track so generic and workmanlike that it becomes difficult to recall once it’s over. There’s a …
Read More »[Review] CODE KUNST & Lee Hi deliver a measured gem in “XI”
The collaboration of CODE KUNST and Lee Hi is important not just because it always seems destined to deliver quality but also because it’s basically the only time Lee Hi …
Read More »[Review] BLACKPINK return with a grating mish-mash of sounds on “Kill This Love”
BLACKPINK‘s “DDU-DU DDU-DU” didn’t captivate me immediately upon release, but over time I found the hook and the instrumental addictive enough to put it on the year-end list of 2018’s …
Read More »[Review] IZ*ONE buck ‘Produce’ group trend, develop their sound with “Violeta”
For me, one of the most frustrating things about ‘Produce 101‘-spawned groups is that they don’t attempt to develop a signature sound or concept. Given their temporary status as project …
Read More »[Review] Bolbbalgan4’s “Bom” is pleasantly safe, which continues their brand
Last year, Bolbbalgan4 delivered their version of a summer song, and “Travel” went on to become a huge crossover hit. New single “Bom” takes its cues from spring — a …
Read More »[Review] Park Jimin excels on “Low Voice” off ‘The Last Empress’ OST
Even if Park Jimin never gets the type of mainstream recognition that seemed possible coming off her ‘K-Pop Star‘ win (and 15&), at the very least her vocal ability should …
Read More »[Review] Pentagon’s sound successfully evolves on “Sha La La” by invoking “Energetic”
After last September’s “Naughty Boy“, I feared that Pentagon might end up chasing their own tail on a never-ending quest to replicate the structure and energy of 2018 hit “Shine“. …
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