The SB Mixtape, 6/11/2020: Solo Dance Party
2020 is not pulling any punches. First the wildfires in Australia, then Covid-19, and now the Black Lives Matter protests and ensuing police violence. This half-year feels like it has lasted for a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Music & Lyrics: Girls and Shoes
All women love shoes. Or at least, that is the common belief. Many women do not love shoes, or are neutral on the subject, but that particular cliche is not going anywhere anytime soon. Hell will...
View ArticleSide B: The Seductions of Girl’s Day
10 years ago, Girl’s Day made their debut with “Tilt My Head”. Their early years saw them struggle with uneven sales, concept changes, and multiple member departures. Then, in 2013, they broke through...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Somi’s “What You Waiting For” Tells About Grief
A single sentence holds a plethora of meanings. “I love you”, for example, can be a romantic declaration, a statement of fact, an utterance of admiration, a mark of friendship, a reassurance, a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
ONF’s “Spin Off” Is the Perfect Summer Album
The music industry is a fickle and unpredictable beast. It can be nearly impossible to tell when to follow trends or when to buck them; to pinpoint the thing that will give an act their first taste of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“Not Shy” Shows Itzy The Risks Of Turning Mainstream
Since their debut, Itzy’s entire concept has revolved around being different. Their music actively encourages their fans, especially female ones, to eschew the traditional path and social expectations...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“New Rules” Showcases Weki Meki’s True Strengths
Weki Meki has had a busy 2020. Their most recent comeback, “Cool”, is their third so far, supported by their second EP of the year and fourth overall. This is because, despite their promising start...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Loona’s ‘Midnight’ Shows Two Disparate Sounds
One of the most interesting moments in K-pop is when diving into a full release by a group whose appeal lies anywhere but their music. Loona is an ideal candidate for this, as their appeal can be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Music & Lyrics: Space, The Final Frontier
Throughout human history, the heavens have enthralled our minds. For thousands of years, the nebulous space around the earth served as a source of mysticism and wonder, its bodies inspiring awe, fear,...
View ArticleThe SB Mixtape, 11/26/2020: K-pop Thankfulness
Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s… not my favorite holiday, I’ll be honest. The reality of Thanksgiving is a meal with a menu that remains unchanged from time immemorial served at a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Yubin’s “Perfume” Is Darkly Glamourous
Since the break-up of her group, Yubin has released an interesting and diverse series of singles. Her latest, “Perfume”, sees her both return to the retro-inspired sound she thrives in, while...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hyuna Is Not A “Good Girl” And She’s Proud Of That
Hyuna has had one of the most interesting careers in K-pop. She started out with a very sexual “bad girl” image, but over the last decade, there has been a subtle shift in her public persona. Hyuna...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Side B: The Vulnerability Of Taemin
When he debuted as the maknae of Shinee over a decade ago, Taemin quickly became known for his youth and effeminate looks as much as his impressive dance skills. However, over the last six years, he...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chungha’s “Querencia”: A Self-Portrait In Four Parts
After much anticipation, four EPs, and a release delay, Chungha has released her much-anticipated debut album, Querencia. As much as I adore Chungha, which is a lot, the rollout for this project could...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Soyou Overreaches and Underperforms in “Goodnight My Love”
One of the great tragedies of K-pop is the struggles of Soyou to establish a solo career. A very talented vocalist and duettist, she has always had difficulties forging an music identity on her own,...
View ArticleThe SB Mixtape, 4/01/2021: K-pop Jock Jams
I, like many humans, have a favorite sports team. My athletic drug of choice is the Pittsburgh Penguins, who after a rough start are second in the Eastern standings, only two points behind the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Side B: Diving Deep With AkMu
7 years ago, a brother-sister act won a reality competition and were launched into stardom. Akdong Musician always feels like an act whose success, on paper, defies logic. Starting out as folk-pop,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Music & Lyrics: Eye See You
It is often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. The eyes are, after all, the conduit between the outside world and a persons’ inner self. Almost everything has to go through the eyes...
View ArticleClik here to view.
WJSN The Black Turns to the Neo-Noir in “Easy”
Whenever a group debuts a subunit whose sole apparent purpose is to be the complete inversion of their parent group, one cannot help but raise a few eyebrows. Such was the announcement of WJSN The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Twice’s “Taste of Love” Is Doomed By A Lack Of Effort
There is something perpetually nerve-wracking about summer releases. On the one hand, a good summer EP or song can give a group a definite boost, as well as provide a built-in excuse to make music...
View Article