HANRORO’s latest album, "HOME," explores themes of familial trauma and the cyclical nature of hope and despair. Known for her writing for artists such as TXT, Taeyeon, and AKMU and successful singles, HANRORO explores the journey of healing from trauma. The album blends various genres, from haunting rock anthems to delicate acoustic pieces, while maintaining a cohesive narrative.
After Landing - The album opens with "After Landing", a soft guitar melody, gradually ... read more
ENHYPEN's "DARK MOON SPECIAL ALBUM" is a special album that ties into the group's ongoing webtoon series, "Dark Moon." This special album deviates from their previous releases, presenting a darker, more experimental sound that aligns with the webtoon's vampiric and mysterious themes.
One In A Billion - The prerelease track, "One In A Billion," embodies ENHYPEN's signature dark cinematic style, blending pop-rock elements with driving beats and energetic guitar ... read more
KIM JAE HWAN, known for his powerful vocals and emotional delivery, returns with his EP "I Adore." This release showcases his ability new ability to create a captivating R&B album.
뭘 (What) - This track kicks off the EP with a jukebox-inspired sound featuring a soothing instrumental. It sets a nostalgic tone with its charming instrumental; Jaehwan's vocals, while good, take a backseat to the standout instrumental. The melodies and retro vibe create a lovely listening ... read more
MCND, a dynamic K-pop group known for their energetic performances and playful sound, has returned with their 7th EP, "X10." Debuting in 2020, the group has steadily built a reputation for their charisma. However, despite their consistent output, MCND has yet to achieve a breakout hit that propels them to the top of the charts.
X10 - Opening the EP is the title track, "X10," a country-influenced sound immediately setting a confident tone. Having a country song as the title ... read more
After much anticipation, Yves has finally released her debut solo EP, "LOOP." With her presence in LOONA’s music and her interest in showing an alternative-sounding K-pop album, Yves had a lot of expectations to meet. Signed with the indie label PAIX PER MIL, Yves embarks on a new chapter in her career. With influences ranging from R&B to pop-house to indie pop-rock, "LOOP" showcases Yves' versatility and willingness to experiment, making it a significant step in ... read more
aespa's long-awaited first full-length album, "Armageddon," has finally arrived! aespa has long been a beacon of innovation in K-pop, pushing boundaries with their AI concepts and futuristic soundscapes. Their first full-length album, "Armageddon," arrives with high expectations, especially given the group's history of hits.
Supernova - The album kicks off with "Supernova," an explosive track that sets the tone. I am the one person in the world who waited for the ... read more
If you miss the sound of the third generation of K-pop, you NEED to listen to We;Na. Formerly known as Clip, they officially debuted in 2022 with the single "Like Psycho." Now, in 2024, they just released their first project, “Step like We;Na.” Despite some production flaws, each track is extremely unique and engaging, making this a compelling release worth listening to.
Baby Step - The beginning features a baby laughing, which is a crazy choice. The track features a ... read more
NOMAD’s self-titled debut album introduces a fresh-faced boy group navigating the realms of hip-hop and R&B, backed by some of the industry's notable producers. However, while showcasing potential, it often fails to deliver memorable moments. (also, they need to sue their company for how terrible their music video is for “No Pressure,” omg)
No Pressure - The album starts with "No Pressure," a straightforward groove that relies heavily on its repetitive "no ... read more
TWS, the first boy group under Pledis after SEVENTEEN, debuted with the mini-album "Sparkling Blue." TWS steps into the spotlight with youthful energy and catchy tunes, blending contemporary pop, R&B, and elements of indie rock, aiming to capture the refreshing boy group vibe.
plot twist - Opening the album with energy, "Plot Twist" is a shimmering pop track that immediately sets the tone. The production, featuring a mix of guitar and glittering synths, allows the ... read more
RM's sophomore album, "Right Place, Wrong Person," which delves into a compelling narrative and intricate production. As a longtime fan and glazer of RM, this album was a highly anticipated release. This is a haunting breakup album and a beautiful ode to self-determination. This is probably his most emotionally resonant album, next to his mixtape “Mono.” And this album has so much genre-blending, HE RELEASED A JAZZ RAP ALBUM BRO.
Right People, Wrong Place - "Right ... read more
NewJeans's sophomore EP, "Get Up," solidifies their sound while exploring fresh, experimental beats and clever production. Their debut EP brought us a cool mix of '90s R&B and modern pop, but "Get Up" takes it up a notch with even more genre variety. I’m absolutely obsessed with this album. If this album has no fans, I'm dead.
New Jeans - Opening the EP is "New Jeans," a track that immediately sets the tone with its pretty and fun atmosphere. This was ... read more
NewJeans made a sensational debut with their self-titled EP, "New Jeans," creating a whirlwind in pop culture with their unique blend of R&B, pop, and nostalgia from the late 90s and early 00s. There is probably no worse time to review NewJeans than right now, given what's going on with Min Heejin, but we're ignoring it.
Attention - "Attention" is a standout opening track that immediately sets the tone for the EP. It's nostalgic and refreshing. The song features lush ... read more
Soojin's second EP, "RIZZ" (awful title), follows her successful solo debut last year. With "AGASSY," she established herself as a compelling and innovative artist with an album about empowerment and redemption. "RIZZ" arrives with high expectations, hopefully delivering more of Soojin's unique sound and artistic vision.
RIZZ ME UP - The title is a nightmare, but the song is so fun 😭. This track introduces a light and fresh sound influenced by 2-step and UK ... read more
Soojin's debut solo album "AGASSY" marks her highly anticipated return to the music scene. After years of silence following her departure from (G)I-DLE from a bullying scandal, Soojin re-emerges with a project that promised a fresh start and a reintroduction of Soojin as a solo artist.
Flowering - The album starts with "Flowering," a dreamy and gentle intro that sets a delicate tone. It kicks off the album's theme of personal and artistic renewal. The lyrics are about the ... read more
This album has a problem with being very monotonous. Every song starts with a fun concept that sounds well-executed, and then it is just that same thing for three minutes, and then it ends. Every song ends up falling flat. There are some fun moments, particularly on WAO WAO and ALL OURS, but you have to sit through the rest of the dull mixing and dispassionate vocals to get there.
WAKER is not your typical 5th-generation K-pop boy group. The group's lineup spans a wide age range and includes idols who have previously participated in survival shows but did not make the final cut and members from pre-debut groups who never had the chance to debut. Despite these challenges, WAKER's debut album, "Mission of School" is a surprisingly cohesive pop record. However, the album's inconsistent and often terrible production and mixing significantly hinder its overall ... read more
Deux is one of the most significant K-pop acts from the first generation, playing a pivotal role in shaping the genre during the early 1990s. Originating from the dance crew Wawa, Deux was formed when members Lee Hyundo and Kim Sungjae decided to branch out on their own. Alongside influential contemporaries like Seo Taiji and Boys, Deux was among the first groups to introduce hip-hop to the Korean music scene. Their innovative incorporation of hip-hop and new jack swing laid the groundwork for ... read more
TXT's first full-length album, "The Dream Chapter: MAGIC," serves as the second installment in their Dream Chapter trilogy, following their impressive debut mini-album. TXT changed direction and is starting to address the restlessness of youth and the challenges of adolescence. While this album is aimed at a teenage audience, it retains the innocence and childlike sentiments of "The Dream Chapter: STAR," Despite these interesting themes and few standout tracks, I found ... read more
Formed through the competitive reality show Boys Planet, ZEROBASEONE has quickly built a strong fanbase through a series of successful singles and EPs. With season-themed releases so far, ZEROBASEONE's latest album, "You had me at HELLO," showcases the group's take on a summer album.
Solar POWER - I wish you could see my face when I first heard the intro. I was so appalled. Going full Stray Kids and Ateez-esque trap EDM. It made me so uncomfortable to hear this style from them omg. ... read more
This debut album introduces BigHit's then-newly-formed boy group TXT, marking the company's second group debut after the massive success of BTS. Expectations were huge for TXT's first album, and it did not disappoint. TXT is my ult group and this mini-album went so crazy in 2019, I love it.
Blue Orangeade - This energetic and playful opening track blends pop with hip-hop elements, featuring catchy melodies and vibrant production tailored for a younger audience. The vocals are bright and warm, ... read more