2024 has been a fantastic year for Asian musicians. BABYMETAL are still going strong, Beabadoobee, Audrey Nuna, Laufey, Peggy Gou, Griff, Sarah Kinsley, and ATARASHII GAKKO! all dropped huge albums, and beloved artists of their niches like yeule, ONE OK ROCK, two of the three DPRs (and endless others) all made releases in the past…
Category: Album Reviews
Taemin Embraces Sensual Power in His New EP “ETERNAL”
SHINee’s Lee Taemin can be described in various ways, but he is undoubtedly an artist who is a risk-taker and who isn’t afraid to blur the lines of gender and the exploration of sexuality in his artistry. His 2023 album Guilty signalled a return to form following his military discharge, indulging in sensuality with songs…
Creativity and Artistry in Jimin’s “MUSE” – EP Review
Originally conceived in classical Greek Mythology, nine muses were born from the union of Zeus and Mnemosyne, one for each night the couple slept together. However, it was Apollo and the nymph Eufime who raised them, thus literally and metaphorically giving birth to the association between the muses and the arts. While traditionally the muses…
ALL(H)OURS Takes You on an Electronic Joyride in Their First Comeback EP “WITNESS”
Whipping up something a little bit different than the edgy pots-and-pans music making the rounds in the K-pop boy group recording booths, ALL(H)OURS made a promising debut six months ago. Their sound is loud – there’s no doubt about that. But it’s drenched in thicker layers of EDM, and a little bit less of the…
Deliciously Smooth And A Little Bit Cheeky: Young R&B Artist cyd’s EP “SAVIOR” Review
What’s the smoothest thing you can think of? Likely velvet and silk; honey and butter spring to mind instantaneously at the thought. But there’s a handful of singers whose voices flow like they’ve never experienced a cough or a croak once in decades – and the sound is a top contender for that earlier question….
K.Will’s “No Sad Song For My Broken Heart”: A Heart-rending Journey Through Love and Loss
If you enjoy Korean ballads and the more melancholic side of K-pop, you are likely familiar with Kim Hyung-soo, better known as K.Will. Since making his debut in 2007, the artist has established himself as a singer with one of the most powerful voices in the Korean music industry. K. Will is also affectionately referred…
ATEEZ Search for Their Golden Hour with New Mini-Album “Golden Hour: Part 1”
Being able to stand out amongst the ever-growing K-pop groups of today is no easy feat, but ATEEZ makes it look simple, as proven by their tenth mini-album, Golden Hour: Part 1. The eight members have said goodbye to their pirate world but still provide the treasure with six golden tracks. Following the success of…
All the World’s A Stage: Review of RM’s “Right Place, Wrong Person” Album
While the 11-track album, which dropped three weeks ago, has been lauded as the sophomore follow-up to the critically and commercially successful Indigo, it is in fact Namjoon’s fourth solo excursion. Looking back to his ‘mixtapes’, RM in 2015 and Mono in 2018, it is clear to see Namjoon’s artistic journey, which starts with the…
James An Delivers Raw Honesty in New EP “I Have No Friends And I Must Party” – EP Review
Korean-Canadian artist James An will transport you back to the 1990s with his new EP, I Have No Friends And I Must Party. This eight-track release captures his genuine passion for hip-hop and skilfully pays homage to it. The artist mixed the quintessential elements of golden age hip-hop to create a beautiful and necessary listening…
RM Contemplates with His Latest Single “Come Back To Me” – MV/Single Review
In an industry where 3.5 minutes are considered too long for a song, RM takes a bold approach with his new single, Come Back to Me. The track runs for 6:29 and is complemented by a superb music video. True to his style, RM has collaborated with top talent from the film and television industry,…
BIGONE and BAEKHO Collaborate For New Project Single, “LOVE OR DIE”
A few days ago, the K-pop music scene welcomed BIGONE and BAEKHO their latest project single, LOVE OR DIE. In this collaboration, listeners are treated to a great mix of the artists’ musical skills, each offering their own perspectives on love. This exciting venture was orchestrated under the creative direction of music publisher PRISMFILTER, a…
SEVENTEEN Are Right Here: A Nine-Year Celebration of Their Greatest Hits – Album Review
Every excellent SEVENTEEN song begins with ‘Seventeen right here.’ But how does one describe Seventeen’s discography without veering into sentimentalism or turning it into a thesis? The 13 members are now reminding everyone of their immense talent with their latest release, 17 IS RIGH HERE. This box set of greatest hits is a proud display…
“Wanderland” – Blish’s Debut Album Offers Hope and Inspiration
“Every cloud has a silver lining” is how Korean artist Blish begins his enigmatic first full-length album, Wanderland. The first track, Rewind, has an extended invitation with an optimistic message that begins his storytelling. Whilst the chirping birds in the background are unexpected, it’s a delightful way to accompany the vocals of both Blish and…
How to Sing Like an A.C.E: “My Girl: “My Choice”” Review
The latest controversial K-pop take to ignite the passion of keyboard warriors has fans debating the importance of… good singing. Yes, you read that right. Some fans online admitted they’re just in it for the “vibes”, dismissing the role of a decent vocalist as something Western singers can handle instead. Not only does the opinion…
