Album Reviews – Page 3

[Album Review] Whiplash (5th Mini Album) – aespa

November 25, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged aespaLeave a comment

aespa really hit it big last year with their lead singles. After the likes of Supernova (which took the industry by storm), followed by their Armageddon title track and studio album, aespa also returned in October 2024 with another hit – Whiplash. Just over a year after its release, I have finally gotten around to reviewing the mini-album of the same name, which features 6 songs (including the title track itself). And it is a super excellent mini-album, ranking quite highly on my list of album releases. All tracks on this mini-album are highly recommended for you to check out if you haven’t already!

Since Whiplash, aespa has released one digital single (Dirty Work) and a new mini-album, Rich Man, featuring the title track of the same name.

1. Whiplash (Title Track) – Whiplash definitely grew on me after I posted my review for the track. Given the growth, I am bumping the original review score to 8/10, though most of my thoughts remain the same. Click here for Whiplash’s full review. (8/10)

2. Kill It – The intensity and powerful energy from Kill It’s instrumental brings me to the edge of my seat each time the song plays. Combined with aespa’s commanding presence and strong vocals, aespa presents us with a killing combination that feels like a natural follow-up to 2023’s Drama. (10/10)

3. Flights, Not Feelings – If there is one sequence within Flights, Not Feelings to recommend you check out, it is definitely the chorus. Sure, the centrepiece is meant to be the most memorable part of the song. But the all-member vocal delivery of it, as well as the steady R&B beat of the entire length of the chorus, was just stunning. I find myself vibing to the song every time it comes up in my Spotify queue. Elsewhere in Flights, Not Feelings, you have some equally stunning harps and piano, and a consistent presence of amazing vocals from the members. (10/10)

4. Pink Hoodie – Seeing Pink Hoodie on the tracklist and the fact that the first two words of the song are ‘Baggy Jeans’ instantly remind me of NCT U’s Baggy Jeans. While there are some similarities between the two songs (i.e., both fall under the hip-hop and dance genres), Pink Hoodie is definitely more palatable. The execution of the chorus was much better – there was such a cool vibe to it that I couldn’t help but nod along to the beat. The bridge has a soothing presence, driven by vocals, contrasting with the rest of the hip-hop-based track. I also liked how intense the final chorus got, giving Pink Hoodie a final push to close out the song. (9/10)

5. Flowers – Flowers put the mini-album back in the R&B genre. I like how this is more of the classical R&B, with the prominent guitar riff in the background. The members sound stunning throughout the track, and I like how the melodies create a swaying effect. I also really enjoyed the subtle presence of autotune in the bridge, giving the track a little extra to offset it from being overly consistent. (9/10)

6. Just Another Girl – Hearing aespa have another go at the pop-rock genre is exciting. Whilst writing this review, I will admit I got slightly distracted and found myself checking out Live My Life. While not as explosive as the former track, aespa still does a great job with Just Another Girl. The deep vocals they used were intriguing, but I guess they were being nonchalant about calling out a cheating partner. The bridge is definitely the strongest and best sequence of the track. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

aespa’s solo teaser images for *WHIPLASH*

[Album Review] I’LL LIKE YOU (2nd Mini Album) – ILLIT

November 22, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged ILLITLeave a comment

Another album review for a 2024 release. ILLIT’s I’LL LIKE YOU was released October last year and serves as the group’s 2nd mini-album since their debut earlier in 2024 (with Magnetic). Leading the 5-track mini-album was the title track Cherish (My Love) and follow-up promotional single Tick-Tack. Overall, this was a fair mini-album in my opinion.

More recently, ILLIT released their 3rd mini-album, BOMB, featuring the singles Do The Dance and Jellyous, as well as their first Japanese single, Toki Yo Tomare. The group is also due to make their comeback next week with the single album NOT CUTE ANYMORE.

1. I’ll Like You – The mini-album’s namesake track, I’ll Like You, is both cute and smooth. ILLIT themselves, as well as the bright pops of synth in the background, contribute to the track’s cuteness. The smoothness comes from the dreamy side of the instrumentation and the melodies, which were catchy and fun. While I did enjoy this opening number, I’ll Like You does feel a bit straightforward and plain (relative to other tracks on the album). (8/10)

2. Cherish (My Love) (Title Track) – Click here for Cherish (My Love)’s full review. (7/10)

3. IYKYK (If You Know You Know) – IYKYK is another plain song on the mini-album. I wish the song was punchier, particularly for the chorus, which feels flat. This could have potentially made the “IYKYK” hook more prolific and given the song some additional flair. I did enjoy the synths in the background, particularly the panning effect, which made it sound warpy. IROHA, WONHEE, and MINJU’s rapping was also quite nice and seamless. (7/10)

4. Pimple – ILLIT puts their vocals on display in Pimple. This makes the track extremely appealing to me (after all, I am a vocals guy). I loved how dreamy they made the track sound, especially with the harmonies and pretty melodies. The medium-pop instrumental was also extremely pleasant and made for a nice background. (8/10)

5. Tick-Tack – I had plans to review Tick-Tack separately, but I (and time, but more so I) got in the way of those plans. Anyhow, Tick-Tack is definitely the hidden gem of this mini-album. It was mostly because of the fun, super-catchy chorus that Tick-Tack features. But I also enjoyed the retro video game-esque synths in the background, as well as the underlying grooviness of the instrumental. The members sound great in the track, as well. My only gripe about Tick-Tack is that it finishes as soon as it starts, leaving me disappointed each time I play the song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.8/10

ILLIT’s teaser image for *I’LL LIKE YOU*

[Album Review] GOLD (9th Mini Album) – ITZY

November 8, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged ITZY1 Comment

The next album up for review comes from last year. In October 2024, ITZY made their comeback with their 9th mini-album, GOLD, which was led by the title track of the same name. Also featured alongside that track were five new songs and five re-released versions of songs ITZY had released earlier in 2024 as part of their BORN TO BE studio album, to include LIA, who was on hiatus at the time of their release. For the purposes of this review, given that I have already reviewed those tracks as part of the album they were initially released on, I will focus primarily on the new songs added to ITZY’s discography in October 2024.

While I am still not a fan of the title track, the rest of the mini-album was a solid release from the group. More recently, ITZY made comebacks in Korea with Girls Will Be Girls and Japan with Rock & Roll. In fact, the group will be making another Korean comeback (yup, this backlog of album reviews is definitely growing out of control) this coming Monday with Tunnel Vision. But before we can get there, here are my thoughts on GOLD.

1. GOLD (Title Track) – Click here for GOLD’s full review. (7/10)

2. Imaginary Friend – Click here for Imaginary Friend’s full review. (10/10)

3. Bad Girls R Us – The instrumental for this track was quite the surprise. From the house elements in the foreground to the thumping beat in the background and then the switch to an acoustic country twang, Bad Girls R Us was a very intriguing mix. This instantly draws my attention to the song. But ITZY seals the deal with their crisp vocals and rapping. Bad Girls R Us is an awesome and unforgettable track. (10/10)

4. Supernatural – To me, Supernatural somewhat feels like a follow-up to the earlier track Imaginary Friend. Both songs have a subdued nature. But there are differences. Unlike Imaginary Friend, which was subdued through all elements, ITZY’s vocals are what bring the subdued nature to light in Supernatural. I liked that approach, but I wished the melodies were a little more developed. As for the instrumental for Supernatural, which does have a hint of that subduedness, it is also more upbeat and bouncier, which brings in energy to the song. However, those subdued notes still remain and help make the track feel aesthetically pleasing. (8/10)

5. FIVE – The message that ITZY is better as five is such a meaningful message, especially since this comeback sees LIA return from a hiatus and the group reforming back into a quintet. FIVE is a well-balanced pop track with nice textures thanks to the synth work. The vocals were also lovely throughout the song. However, what I liked most about the track was the brief hip-hop switch-up that followed the first and last chorus. It was a memorable point in FIVE. (8/10)

6. VAY (ft. CHANGBIN of Stray Kids) – ITZY join forces with labelmate CHANGBIN for the hip-hop track VAY. ITZY did a really great job in this hip-hop setting – I found myself vibing to their parts in the song. CHANGBIN adds his own flair through his parts, and I liked how he tempered his usual style to fit with ITZY. The instrumental was also quite crunchy, which was a nice and engaging textural component for VAY. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10 (based on the new songs on the mini-album only)

As part of the mini-album, five songs from ITZY’s 8th mini-album were re-released to also include LIA, who was on hiatus when these songs were originally released. These songs were not included as part of the final album rating

7. BORN TO BE (Final version) – Click here to see BORN TO BE’s full review. (7/10)

8. UNTOUCHABLE (Final version) – Click here to see UNTOUCHABLE’s full review. (8/10)

9. Mr Vampire (Final Version) – Click here to see Mr Vampire’s full review. (6.5/10)

10. Dynamite (Final Version) – Click here to see DYNAMITE’s full review as part of the BORN TO BE album review. ()

11. Escalator (Final Version) – Click here to see Escalator’s full review as part of the BORN TO BE album review. (9/10)

[Album Review] LOVE RACE (15th Mini Album) – SF9

November 2, 2025November 8, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged SF9Leave a comment

If you cannot tell by the title of the post, SF9’s LOVE RACE is the next mini-album up for review (still a massive backlog to push through). It is SF9’s 15th mini-album since their debut in 2016 (almost 10 years ago!), and was released back in March this year. LOVE RACE features a total of 6 songs, including the title track of the same name. It is a solid mini-album overall, per usual for SF9. There are some terrific songs on the mini-album, so it is definitely worth checking out.

LOVE RACE (the mini-album) is their first comeback since August 2024 – the mini-album FANTASY and title track Don’t Worry, Be Happy. More recently, the group is embarking on a world tour.

1. LOVE RACE (Title Track) – Click here for LOVE RACE’s full review. (8/10)

2. Suited – Leading on from the title track is Suited, a very smooth mid-tempo pop track. This helped make the flow of Suited feel velvety and stunning, and many of the song’s best attributes stem from this smoothness. The song’s chorus was very charming. I particularly liked the upward inflexion at the end of the chorus, which gives the track something intriguing and memorable to remember it by. The vocals (and their layering) in Suited were really well done throughout. As for the rapping, I liked how they fit into the song while still maintaining an edgy tone. (9/10)

3. Side by Side – Side By Side is a great upbeat funky number. The energy that comes off this track is very refreshing. I also enjoyed the brightness exuded from the instrumental, making it suitable for a summertime track. The vocals and rapping were straightforward yet effective in contributing towards the same refreshing energy and bright tone. For this, it is my favourite track off the mini-album. (10/10)

4. WARURU – There was a lot that stood out in the electro-pop WARURU (which translates loosely to ‘Crashing down’). Firstly, I really enjoyed how JAEYOON (as the introduction), INSEONG and YOO TAEYANG delivered the pre-chorus. They really seized the opportunity to showcase their powerful vocals and did so very impactfully. I also enjoyed the line “Now you’re not the girl I used to know” delivered by YOUNGBIN and CHANI in the verses, which were memorable lines. The WARURU repetition was also noteworthy. This is all set against a solid background that enhances the dramatic nature of the song. (9/10)

5. No No No – I quite enjoyed how prolific the instrumental is in No No No. There is a strong funkiness to the instrumental, thanks to the electric guitar and brass elements, which come through quite strongly. The rest of the instrumental is strongly upbeat and comes off as ‘loud’ (but in a good way). I liked how the members really put themselves forward in the song through their rapping and vocals. The instrumental could have easily drowned them out, but SF9 ensured they were heard throughout No No No. I do think the song could have been blended together to be a little more cohesive. (8.5/10)

6. Love Puzzle (숨은 사랑 찾기) – We go into lovey dovey territory for Love Puzzle, which likens their lover to be the missing puzzle piece they are searching for. Love Puzzle is one of those mid-tempo pop ballads that is warm, fuzzy and lovely. The members do a nice job of making their vocals and rapping sound cohesive, as well. I find myself rather neutral towards the song (mainly because I am not the target audience), but I am sure fans are enjoying this more romantic side of the group. (7/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

[Album Review] ALIVIO (5th Mini Album) – CHUNG HA

October 25, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged CHUNG HALeave a comment

CHUNG HA’s February 2025 mini-album release, ALIVIO, is up next for an album review. ALIVIO is the soloist’s 5th mini-album since her debut and follows the digital single Algorithm released last year. The mini-album features 8 songs, including the title track STRESS and a collaboration single with SUNMI. The latter in itself is something enticing and to look forward to, but there is a lot more to the mini-album, particularly in the latter half of the mini-album, where CHUNG HA featured strong track after track. You can read more about my thoughts on ALIVIO down below.

1. Creepin’ – The mini-album starts off with Creepin’, an R&B number with a slightly warp effect to its instrumentation. This is more of an observation and not a negative. As for CHUNG HA, she sounds amazing in the song. But overall, I found Creepin’ to be a little underwhelming and lacked something to make it memorable. (7/10)

2. Salty (with SUNMI) – CHUNG HA join forces with SUNMI to bring us Salty. With these two big names at the helm, there are high expectations for this single. In my personal opinion, they definitely delivered. I really enjoyed the retro/house combination that makes up the instrumentation, though I wished there was a little more bite to the background. The opening chorus lines “My diamonds are cold, but I’m not made of ice” and “All of my emotions they get exercise” also have a memorable ring to them. (9/10)

3. Loyal – I enjoyed the atmospheric instrumental behind Loyal, though I feel like Loyal was lacking a drop somewhere in its instrumentation. It wasn’t until the 2:05 minute mark (in a 2:42 minute long song) that Loyal’s instrumental changed gears slightly. Alongside the atmosphere are CHUNG HA’s vocals, which were stunning throughout the song. The repetition of the song’s title also helped key it in my mind. (8.5/10)

4. STRESS (Title Track) – Click here for STRESS’ full review. (8/10)

5. Beat of My Heart – The chorus for Beat of My Heart is what wins me over. More specifically, it is CHUNG HA’s breathtaking delivery of the central piece of the song that grabs my attention. The way her vocals soar in the choruses and throughout the song is really something. As for the instrumentation, it falls into drum and bass territory, and I love how much bite this influence gives Beat of My Heart. (10/10)

6. Even Steven (Happy Ending) – Even Steven is a song about getting back at the people who have wronged you. While the lyrics for Even Steven hint at a terrible past, they also give the song an empowering feeling. And as a result of this empowerment, CHUNG HA’s powerful vocals, as well as the presence of the electric guitars, add a lot more oomph to Even Steven. I also appreciate the song’s straight-to-the-point vibe. (9/10)

7. Thanks for the Memories – CHUNG HA takes us down rock territory in Thanks for the Memories, my pick for the most highly recommended track of the mini-album. I love the energy this gives the song, particularly in the choruses, and the added textures from the synths give it a fun edge. CHUNG HA’s vocals are superb, with her ad-libs feeling like the perfect icing to a cake. She nailed this song!! (10/10)

8. Still a Rose – Bringing the long mini-album to a close is Still a Rose. It begins with a powerful sample of Vivaldi’s classic Four Seasons. I liked how the sample leads into the rest of the song, which speaks to the idea that one can always emerge as a rose following struggles and lows in life. The rest of the song falls into place, with the melodies having a clean feel. The line “A rose is still a rose” is quite catchy, as well. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

[Album Review] BLUE PARADISE (5th Mini Album) – ZEROBASEONE

October 22, 2025October 19, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged ZEROBASEONELeave a comment

You know the term ‘no skip albums’? BLUE PARADISE, ZEROBASEONE’s 5th mini-album, can be described by that. While no song was a knockout (i.e., 10/10 for me), all 6 songs on BLUE PARADISE are of consistently high quality, making the album suitable for the ‘no skip’ description. For those tuning in for the first time to BLUE PARADISE or needing a reminder, the mini-album was released in February of this year, led by the single BLUE and the pre-release single Doctor! Doctor!. It follows their CINEMA PARADISE and GOOD SO BAD comeback last year.

Alongside BLUE PARADISE, ZEROBASEONE also released their 1st Japanese mini-album, Prezent, led by the single Now or Never (which I haven’t reviewed yet…). More recently, the group returned in September with their 1st studio album, Never Say Never, and the single ICONIK.

1. BLUE (Title Track) – Click here for BLUE’s full review. (8/10)

2. Devil Game – Two elements in Devil Game really speak to me. The first is the song’s funky and groovy instrumentation. The funky bass and the background’s textural elements are all very cool. Definitely MJ-esque. The second element, and probably the most powerful in the entire song, is the vocals. I really liked all of their delivery within Devil Game, but I am loving the clear, crisp and strong vocals in the chorus, which keeps the song engaging. I love the alluring nature of the whispers in the pre-chorus, which just keeps the interest in Devil Game up. My only gripe about the song is that it has more captivating verses – everything standalone is great within the verses, but I don’t remember much from them as a whole. (9/10)

3. Doctor! Doctor! (Pre-release track) – Click here for Doctor! Doctor!’s full review. (8/10)

4. Out of Love – The first unit track on this mini-album features Kim Ji Woong, Zhang Hao and Kim Gyu Vin. This trio brings us Out of Love, a bold pop-rock track. It basically grabs me each time and hooks me on. The energy that comes off the instrumentation is also very satisfying and just hits all the right notes that I want out of a pop-rock track. The chorus is also super catchy, engaging me more. All three members’ vocals bring character to Out Of Love – I just wish they pushed themselves further to round out the song sonically to match the bold pop-rock vibes. (9/10)

5. Step Back – We return to the funky vibes with Step Back, courtesy of Ricky, Park Gun Wook and Han Yu Jin. I enjoyed the R&B grooviness that Step Back exudes and how the R&B side of the track gives a subtle maturity to the song that the three members pull off well. The upbeat nature also gives off a fun vibe. While strong vocals were on full display, I have to admit that Park Gun Wook’s high note at the end of the bridge surprises me each time. (9/10)

6. Cruel – The remaining members of ZEROBASEONE, Sung Han Bin, Seok Matthew and Kim Tae Rae, bring us Cruel. The track is another on the mini-album that gives us rock energy. The only difference is that the track is firmly in the rock sphere, with no other influences impacting the purity of the instrumentation. I really liked the grungy vibes that the instrumentation gives. While Cruel’s vocals aren’t the strongest in my opinion compared to the rest of the mini-album, Cruel manages to stand out thanks to the members’ rapping, as well as their fresh tones in the song. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

ZEROBASEONE’s teaser image for *BLUE PARADISE*

[Album Review] SPILL THE FEELS (12th Mini Album) – SEVENTEEN

October 11, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged SEVENTEENLeave a comment

Next up on the album reviews front is SEVENTEEN’s 12th mini-album, SPILL THE FEELS, released in October last year. Actually, it is almost to the day the mini-album dropped! The mini-album is led by the single LOVE, MONEY, FAME, featuring DJ Khaled. In addition to LOVE, MONEY, FAME, the mini-album also features 5 additional side tracks, including Eyes On You (which also has a music video, which I completely forgot about) and 3 unit tracks. Overall, SPILL THE FEELS is another fairly strong SEVENTEEN mini-album. The title track is the mini-album’s weakest track, but the rest of the mini-album makes up for this.

Since SPILL THE FEELS, SEVENTEEN saw the debut of 2 new subunits, HxW (with 96ers) and CxM (with 5, 4, 3 (Pretty Woman)) and the group comeback with the studio album HAPPY BURSTDAY (yet to be reviewed) and the title track THUNDER.

1. Eyes On You – The mini-album opens up with Eyes On You, a groovy house track. I quite like the club energy that this song exudes, as well as the freshness that the members bring to the music. S.COUPS and VERNON’s rapping really stood out, thanks to the way it contrasted with everything else in the song. As mentioned above, there is a music video for Eyes On You, and the video shows off their strong bond and friendship, no matter the circumstances they are in. (8.5/10)

2. LOVE, MONEY, FAME (ft. DJ Khaled) – Click here for LOVE, MONEY, FAME’s full review. (7/10)

3. 1 TO 13 – The next track is a wholesome one from the group, whose lyrics showcase their love for each other as a group and to their fans. It is a straightforward pop number, and the members make 1 TO 13 very comfortable and familiar. I’m just not a fan of the consistently tapping in the background, which sounds like it is coming from a laptop’s keyboard or trackpad. It was a tad distracting from that wholesome nature of the song. (8/10)

4. Candy (사탕) – The first unit track on the mini-album is by the Vocal team (JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, WOOZI, DK and SEUNGKWAN). Candy is a ballad, featuring a beautiful, jazzy piano background (that bridge was amazing!) and stunning vocals from the team (as always). It is on the shorter side. However, the way it is executed and presented is literally short and sweet, so I have no complaints about Candy whatsoever. (10/10)

5. Rain – The Performance unit (JUN, HOSHI, THE8 and DINO) is up next with Rain, my favourite track from this mini-album. I really enjoyed the disco vibes that are exuded from Rain, and I love how it propels the song forward. I also enjoyed the charisma and seductive nature of the track, as well as the members’ delivery, which allows the unit to put their best foot forward on stage (which they do!). (10/10)

6. Water – The Hip-Hop unit (S.COUPS, WONWOO, MINGYU & VERNON) is all that remains, and they give us Water. It is a synth-heavy instrumental, and the members’ delivery of Water is shrouded in autotune. Both work well together to create a dark and edgy hip-hop track. However, I personally am not a fan of the autotune. But I can get behind the hype that the members infuse into the number. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

S.COUPS’ teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
JEONGHAN’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
JOSHUA’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
JUN’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
HOSHI’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
WONWOO’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
WOOZI’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
DK’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
MINGYU’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
THE8’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
SEUNGKWAN’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
VERNON’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS
DINO’s teaser image for SPILL THE FEELS

[Album Review] BORN LIKE THIS (9th Mini Album) – AB6IX

October 7, 2025October 11, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged AB6IXLeave a comment

In September last year, AB6IX made a comeback with their 9th mini-album, BORN LIKE THIS, which was led by the single NVKED. I am finally getting around to reviewing the mini-album. In addition to the lead single, 4 additional tracks feature on the mini-album. As usual, AB6IX released a solid mini-album, with perfect songs marking the start and end of the album. In addition to the title track, I highly recommend you check out these tracks at the very least on BORN LIKE THIS.

In more recent times, AB6IX made a comeback almost a year after the release of BORN LIKE THIS with their 10th mini-album and single of the same name, STUPID. I have yet to review the title track, but I will do so soon.

1. In My Vein – In My Vein is a powerful hip-hop track that kicks off the mini-album very strongly. The thumping instrumental features a really cool rhythm that appeals to me from the outset. But it is AB6IX’s vocals that stand out the strongest in the song. There is a certain sleekness and classy vibe to the vocals that brings a great deal of character and tone to the song. Similarly, the rapping was also super engaging and extends that hip-hop influence. The “I have it in my vein” hook was also super catchy. Overall, a powerful opener for the mini-album. (10/10)

2. NVKED (Title Track) – Click here for NVKED’s full review. (8/10)

3. Forever Young – Forever Young combines pop-rock with a touch of old-school hip-hop in the second verse and rap portion of the bridge. I have to say that the chorus, which features the pop rock in its purest form, was extremely satisfying. The hip-hop was nicely executed and adds a further appealing dimension to the song. Overall, a decent side track from the group. (8/10)

4. Hurt Me – Hurt Me brings Latin-pop to the mini-album. Ideally, this influence would have brought a touch of freshness to the mini-album. However, it ultimately gets overshadowed by the percussion and synths in the chorus. Where it does shine through in Hurt Me, it definitely gives the track some life, flair, and energy. Truthfully, AB6IX continues the momentum that the Latin-pop influence brings through the percussion and synths. But the balance is off for me, and I find this to be a barrier to fully appreciating the song. (7.5/10)

5. Butterfly Effect – The mini-album started off strong and ended strongly with Butterfly Effect. I really liked the combination of the synth-pop and classical elements in Butterfly Effect. It makes for a pretty and strong background for AB6IX. The changes in tempo, from upbeat to soothing, thanks to the instrumental combination, make this track super dynamic and engaging. The best part has to be the bridge, with the classical music creating a beautiful instrumental piece. To top off Butterfly Effect, there are also stunning vocals and rapping throughout the track, as well. A great ender to this mini-album. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

[Album Review] ACT (5th Mini Album) – KANG DANIEL

September 24, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged KANG DANIELLeave a comment

A year ago, KANG DANIEL released his 5th mini-album, ACT, led by the single Electric Shock. An additional four songs are featured on the mini-album. Aside from the title track, the mini-album focuses on various EDM styles. This resulted in a very cool mini-album, featuring trendy tracks and a range of songs from KANG DANIEL as a soloist. One of the tracks also features CHUNG HA, further enticing listeners.

More recently this year, KANG DANIEL released his 6th mini-album Glow to Haze, which is led by the single Episode. I have yet to review Episode, but it will definitely get a review in the near future.

1. Losing Myself – The mini-album kicks off with an EDM track with some really cool dubstep drums and guitar riffs, with the latter giving Losing Myself a rock-leaning influence that hits super hard. I felt that KANGDANIEL himself could have provided some more powerful vocals in the track, particularly since the instrumental does drown him out slightly. Additionally, the track is too short and ends abruptly, which disappoints me. But the direction and the energy of the track are amazing. (8.5/10)

2. Get Loose – For me, Get Loose had the potential to be a cool trap dance track. But there was something that just got in the way from Get Loose in the way of reaching its full potential – the distorted vocals featured prominently throughout Get Loose. It was great at first as a textural component, but I just stayed, and I felt this got in the way of KANGDANIEL’s vocals. And with this blocking, what felt like some cool, laid-back vocals from the soloist himself, I found it really hard to get into Get Loose overall. (7/10)

3. Electric Shock (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Electric Shock. (6/10)

4. Come Back To Me (ft. CHUNG HA) – This all-English track brings together KANG DANIEL and CHUNG HA for such a beautiful collaboration. The pair of them sound effortless together in this single, and I find that to be a super strong aspect of Come Back To Me. The soft EDM pop instrumental was another strong aspect, with that string-like instrumental piece coming through stunningly. (9/10)

5. 9 Lives – Closing out the mini-album is 9 Lives, an uplifting song about the positive mindset of overcoming challenges. This messaging gives 9 Lives impact from the onset, but more is delivered through the music. The EDM propels the song forward, while KANG DANIEL’s husky vocals just sound so captivating. The line “Like I got 9 lives” that starts and ends the choruses was actually quite catchy and punchy, particularly as the opener to the final chorus. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.1/10

[Album Review] Pleasure Shop (3rd Mini Album) – KEY (SHINee)

September 23, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Key (SHINee), SHINeeLeave a comment

Yep, I am still in 2024 with some of the album reviews. Up next is KEY’s 3rd mini-album, Pleasure Shop, which was released in September last year. The six-track mini-album is led by a track that shares the same name as the mini-album, alongside five additional tracks. With KEY at the helm of the mini-album, you know it is going to be a strong and good set of tracks, and KEY does not disappoint with Pleasure Shop. It is definitely a recommended listen from me.

More recently (say in the last month), KEY returned with his third studio album, HUNTER, led by the title track of the same name.

1. Pleasure Shop (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for Pleasure Shop. (8/10)

2. Overthink – Overthink is probably the most intriguing single on this mini-album, instrumentally, with its really cool and sharp harp-like synth and the powerful, deep beats. While both initially felt conflicting, they somehow melded with one another to balance each other out. KEY himself manages to slide over the top of the background and join the cohesiveness that is Overthink, a definite pleaser in an aesthetic club. (10/10)

3. Golden – This dance pop track brings out a relatively more mellow sound, following the previous track. That being said, it is still quite upbeat. Just like the title of the song, Golden has a golden aura to it that makes it feel just right as the soundtrack for a sunset on a summer day. This is amplified by KEY’s vocals, which possess a particularly warm tone. I don’t think Golden stands out as much as some of the other songs on the album, but it is a nice palette cleanser for the mini-album. (8/10)

4. I Know – I love the deep funky vibes that really make I Know’s house instrumental – I wouldn’t mind listening to an instrumental version of the track just for those vibes. KEY’s bright vocals bring a nice accent to the song, as well. However, melodically, I Know feels a bit plain for my liking, especially on this mini-album. I wish there were more to I Know’s melodies to help it stand out more. (8/10)

5. Going Up – Going Up has similar deep funky vibes in its instrumental, but KEY’s vocals are so sensually alluring in this song. The bass is so powerful in this song that my surroundings feel like they are vibrating along when I play it. The synth-pop accents in the instrumental are also so beautiful. The way the ‘Up’ in the lyrics soars upwards briefly, relatively to the rest of the song, is also very unique. (10/10)

6. Novacaine – What gets me about Novacaine is the smooth vocals that KEY delivers. This, over the drum and bass instrumental, just clicks and works perfectly with one another to create such a pleasant closer to the mini-album. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

[Album Review] ONF: My Identity (2nd Studio Album – Part 1) – ONF

September 13, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged ONF1 Comment

While we are patiently awaiting the second part of ONF’s 2nd studio album, here is my review of the first part of ONF: My Identity, which was released back in February this year. Leading the 6-track album is the title track The Stranger. Once again, ONF did not disappoint with their album release, almost reaching the same heights as last year’s mini-album release (see info below). I ranked all the tracks highly, half of which received a 10/10 from me. For more of my thoughts on the album, keep on reading.

Before the release of this album, we last saw ONF through their 8th mini-album, Beautiful Shadow, which was led by the amazingly superior Bye My Monster.

Album cover for *ONF: My Identity (Part 1)*

1. The Stranger (Title track) – Click here for The Stranger’s full review. (9/10)

2. Night Tale – Following the title track is Night Tale, a cool electro funk number. While the song is under 3 minutes long, Night Tale packs quite a bit into its short span and effectively uses the time to make a punchy number. I really like HYOJIN’s ad-libs at the end, as well as WYATT and E-TION’s rap/rap-speak delivery in the second verse. The rest of the members’ deliveries also appear strong. The instrumental break, particularly thanks to the retro touches, definitely makes for a worthwhile dance break – exactly what the SEUNGJUN and the group gave us when Night Tale was performed on stage. (9/10)

3. Nothing But A Stranger – Next up on the mini-album are the unit tracks, with Nothing But A Stranger from the ON Team (HYOJIN, E-TION and MINKYUN). It is an R&B track that showcases what the unit is all about – vocals. I love how dreamier the melodies of Nothing But A Stranger gets as it progresses, allowing the trio to really whisk us away with their warm and comforting vocals as the song progresses. (10/10)

4. Anti Hero – The OFF Team (SEUNGJUN, WYATT and U) takes over the album with Anti Hero. The track features a rock-based track that is definitely exciting and powerful. The rock style reminds me of TVXQ’s Red Sun. I find myself head-banging along to the choruses each time I replay the song. Their rapping and vocals are on par with the instrumentation in terms of power and intensity, with WYATT’s deeper voice put on full display during the pre-chorus sequence, and SEUNGJUN and U’s vocals working perfectly in the chorus. (10/10)

5. Good Place – Good Place is probably the most unique and intriguing track on the album (and probably in recent times in KPOP overall). It is a fun house and tropical blend track, which doesn’t sound too out of the ordinary. But it also features a cool flute synth accompaniment that just gives Good Place something different to separate it from the rest. I like how the melodies and vocals were ‘easy on the ears’, which is also channelled throughout the rest of Good Place, which makes for an intriguing listen overall. (10/10)

6. Collab – Continuing on with the upbeat vibes from the previous song is Collab, a bossa nova-influenced track. It is a more mellow and pleasant track compared to the others on the album. But it is still very bright, bouncy and has some boldness to it. I liked how pronounced their vocals and rapping were over the top of the instrumentation, and the brass elements were very appreciated. It is more on the ordinary side, however. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.3/10

ONF’s teaser image for *ONF: My Identity* (Part 1)

[Album Review] SAD SONG (7th Mini-Album) – P1Harmony

August 31, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged P1Harmony1 Comment

Next up for an album review is P1Harmony’s SAD SONG, their 7th mini-album since their debut. The mini-album features a total of 7 songs, including the title track, which shares the same name, as well as its English version. For the side tracks on this mini-album, P1Harmony explores a diverse range of genres and successfully interprets them in their own style. I do encourage you to check the rest of the SAD SONG mini-album, especially if you are just discovering or getting into P1Harmony.

SAD SONG follows on from P1Harmony’s 1st studio album, Killin’ It, which was released last year alongside the title track of the same name. More recently, P1Harmony returned with their 8th mini-album and title track of the same name, DUH!, which I have yet to review (but will).

1. SAD SONG (Title Track) – Click here for SAD SONG’s full review. (8/10)

2. It’s Alright – It’s Alright brings a reggae influence to the mini-album. Also featured prominently are some funky-tinged electric guitar and really awesome vocals. The former helps reinforce the reggae influence, while the latter is on full display from THEO, KEEHO and JIUNG. Both THEO and JIUNG suit this song’s style so well, while JIUNG’s high note blows me away each time I listen to It’s Alright. “It’s Alright” is very much an understatement for It’s Alright. (9/10)

3. Last Call – Pop rock is next up on the mini-album through the single Last Call. The energy for this track is a definite selling point, and this encapsulates the desire to continue celebrating and partying that is expressed in the lyrics. Compared to the last song, Last Call is a well-balanced track that showcases the best of P1Harmony, with some members (KEEHO and INTAK, namely) pulling double duties. The rappers really give it their all in Last Call, and they all sound awesome. The vocalists continue to display their good vocals from the previous song, making the pop-rock feel familiar. (10/10)

4. Welcome To – The rock elements continue onwards in Welcome To, but in a grungier manner. I really liked the head-banging potential behind the rock instrumental, as well as the melodies during the chorus. I did wish the instrumental was a little more energetic, as this would have taken the song to the next level. And since I have been naming the key players in each song, I should continue this theme throughout the video by pointing out that SOUL really shines throughout Welcome To. (8/10)

5. All You – All You presents us with feel-good vibes with a jazzy introduction and an easy-going instrumental with brass elements. It is an extremely pleasant sound for the group, and they do a decent job with it. I do prefer P1Harmony in their more upbeat dance numbers, but this was still a good number from them. (7/10)

6. WASP – WASP serves as P1Harmony’s first subunit track, featuring the main rappers of the group – INTAK and JONGSEOB. I really liked the rough voices the pairs bring to the song. But JONGSEOB’s softer tone rap takes the cake for me. There is also something catchy about the “Wiung Wiung” hook in this hip-hop track. While WASP isn’t my go-to track for the usual reasons, it was still a decent number on the mini-album. Hope there are more unit tracks in P1Harmony’s future. (7.5/10)

7. SAD SONG (English Version) – See SAD SONG’s full review above.

Overall Album Rating – 8.3/10

[Album Review] abouTZU (1st Mini Album) – TZUYU (TWICE)

August 24, 2025August 23, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged TWICE, TZUYU (TWICE)Leave a comment

If you don’t remember from last year, TZUYU made her solo debut last year with the single Run Away and her debut mini-album aboutTZU in September. She was the third member of the group to embark on solo promotions, following NAYEON and JIHYO. While the title track didn’t really hit the same as her other members’ title tracks have, the rest of TZUYU’s debut mini-album does. I highly encourage you to check out the mini-album if you haven’t yet.

Also, keep your eyes out for an upcoming song review for fellow member CHAEYOUNG, who will be the fourth member of the group to officially go solo with her debut studio album, Lil Fantasy Vol. 1, dropping next month.

In the meantime, here are my thoughts on each song that featured on abouTZU.

1. Run Away (Title Track) – Click here for Run Away’s full review. (7/10)

2. Heartbreak in Heaven (ft. Peniel of BTOB) – Heartbreak in Heaven is an unexpected all-English pop song. It sounds quite pleasant and enjoyable in the moment. Although it sounds nice, I would have enjoyed Heartbreak in Heaven more if it had a bit more substance. It is a rather light song, which doesn’t bode all that well in the memorable department. The instrumental feels a little bare. TZUYU’s vocals were rather linear in terms of trajectory (though we did get some range from TZUYU), and Peniel’s featuring felt too constrained in the bridge. (7/10)

3. Lazy Baby (ft. pH-1) – If the previous song and Lazy Baby were battling for best collaboration on this mini-album, Lazy Baby will take the win. And it takes the win as best track on this mini-album. It has so much more character and energy that makes it super enjoyable in the moment and remains vividly in your mind even after the song wraps. The funky old-school vibes make Lazy Baby super fun. The same can be said for TZUYU’s vocals, which have a significant impact and oomph. pH-1 follows through with dynamic rapping, and I love when the pair come together in the song. (10/10)

4. Losing Sleep – At first, I didn’t think much of Losing Sleep. But repeating the song for writing this review was quite interesting. I actually quite like the single. Losing Sleep brings on the summery vibes that reflect the season in which the mini-album was released. TZUYU sounds quite mature in the song, and I liked this side of the TWICE member. The bouncy synth, featured consistently throughout the song’s tropical instrumental, doubled as a great textural element. The “Losing sleep over you” is very catchy and memorable, as well. And the high-pitched autotune vocals in the bridge brought interesting flair. (8/10)

5. One Love – I would have liked One Love more if it leaned slightly more into the pop-rock sub-genre. I really liked the direction of the song, especially the fun, light-hearted vibes in the verses, and the extent to which it went down the pop-rock path. But I keep on wondering what if it had gone bolder or pronounced with the pop-rock. I think it would have sounded awesome. TZUYU sounds heavenly in the track, especially in the chorus. She really suits the sound, which makes me wish there was more of it in the song and mini-album for TZUYU to really explore. (9/10)

6. Fly – TZUYU ends her debut mini-album with the pop-ballad Fly. I feel like this could have been on the soundtrack of a Disney movie. It just sounds beautiful. From the dreamy piano, strings and orchestral touches in the instrumentation to TZUYU’s vocals, everything was stunning and breathtaking. I love Fly so much that I’m giving it a 10/10, which is definitely the definition of ending on a high note in review land. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

[Album Review] AMORTAGE (1st Mini Album) – JISOO (BLACKPINK)

August 23, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged BLACKPINK, JISOO (BLACKPINK)Leave a comment

Next album up for a review is JISOO’s debut mini-album, AMORTAGE, which was released in February 2025. Led by the single earthquake, the mini-album features a total of four songs. All songs on this mini-album are definitely a great addition to JISOO’s small yet growing discography.

AMORTAGE and earthquake serve as her first solo release since her Me single album and lead single Flower from 2023.

1. earthquake (Title track) – Click here for earthquake’s full review. (9/10)

2. Your Love – Despite being released back in February (which is Winter in South Korea), Your Love radiates summer energy. To this day, Your Love has remained my favourite side track on this mini-album. It starts off soft with atmospheric synths and delicate vocals from JISOO, before building to a really nice drop which helps the pop melodies of Your Love shine. I love how simple and pure JISOO sounds in the song, and the energy just hits all the right spots for me. (10/10)

3. TEARS – TEARS goes down the pop-rock direction. The deep beats during the verses were very riveting and commanding, while the rock instrumentation gives TEARS some appreciated texture. I also like how dramatic the bridge got and how JISOO’s vocals are solid throughout. However, compared to the other songs on the mini-album, TEARS is just a little too plain for my liking. (8/10)

4. Hugs & Kisses – Bringing the short mini-album to a close is Hugs & Kisses, a powerful EDM song that definitely leaves an impression. The autotune placed over JISOO’s vocals in certain moments (like the very end) reminds me of some ‘00s pop diva songs. The chorus is actually quite catchy thanks to the pop melodies. The pre-choruses are dramatic, and the progression of Hugs & Kisses adds to the memorable factor. I liked how strong her vocals got to remain on top of the boastful EDM, and in some moments, she definitely soars. The bridge is a little awkward for me, but I liked how JISOO’s high note connects the bridge and final chorus. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9/10

[Album Review] HOT MESS (4th Mini Album) – EVNNE

August 16, 2025August 16, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged EVNNELeave a comment

Next album up for a review is EVNNE’s 4th mini-album from earlier this year, titled HOT MESS. It features 6 tracks, including the lead single that shares the same name as the title of the mini-album. HOT MESS (the mini-album) is their brightest and most vibrant release to date. For a group that excels with a powerful dance sound (like their debut single TROUBLE), they delivered HOT MESS with great strength and earned a super high rating from me (I think it is one of the first in a while to go above a 9).

More recently, EVNNE released their 5th mini-album, LOVE ANECDOTE(S), and its lead single How Can I Do. Do check it out (after you check out HOT MESS down below).

1. HOT MESS (Title Track) – Click here for HOT MESS’s full review. (8/10)

2. Birthday – Birthday sees EVNNE in a softer pop motif. The instrumental has an enjoyable and fun groove, and I liked the lighthearted vibes that come from the song. The vocals and rapping were nicely executed, with pleasantly catchy melodies to make the song appealing to listen to. (8/10)

3. Love Like That – Love Like That features pop-rock guitar riffs and upbeat vibes that make this track an instant favourite in my books. I enjoyed the delicate and comforting approach EVNNE goes for in the chorus. The combination with the pop-rock sound makes for a feel-good number that brings a smile to my face every time I listen to Love Like That. And with that effect being consistently delivered, even on bad days, I don’t think it is fair to give it any other rating. (10/10)

4. CROWN – The first impression I always get from CROWN is that it is like their past singles. While the mini-album has consisted of light and bright tracks so far, CROWN is the first with a powerful instrumental and fiercer vocals/raps from the members. The rappers definitely had an opportunity to shine with the hefty and powerful instrumental. That high note at the end and the incline in energy from everything else were perfect. CROWN honestly could have been the title track, and I would have been fine with that. (10/10)

5. Youth – Youth stick out for two reasons. Firstly, that powerful electric guitar riff in the background definitely leaves an impression. And the rest of the instrumental definitely follows similarly, becoming slightly grungy during the bridge for impact and effect. Secondly, right off the bat, the members show more emotion and sentiment in Youth. The fact that I can feel that without digging into the lyrics tells me that the members are doing a great job vocally. I really liked how powerful their vocals were consistently throughout Youth. I did wish there were some powerful rapping in the track. This would have really fit, particularly with the emotions being explored in Youth. (9/10)

6. KESHIKI (Korean Version) – KESHIKI was originally released 9 months ago by EVNNE as an original Japanese single. I never got around to reviewing it then, but I am excited to review it now. KESHIKI reminds me of an anime OST. The fast-paced nature and brass elements amongst the rock elements were super unique and fun. I also love the powerful vocals throughout the track, which keep the members over the top of the vibrant and energetic instrumentation. I honestly can’t find anything critical to say about the single, so it ends off the mini-album on a super high note. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 9.2/10

[Album Review] Hello, World (4th Mini-Album) – BAEKHYUN (EXO)

August 13, 2025Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged Baekhyun (EXO), EXOLeave a comment

2024’s Hello, World was BAEKHYUN’s first solo release since completing his military enlistment in 2023 and creating his own label INB100 for solo promotions. It is also his fourth mini-album, featuring a total of 6 songs, one of which is the title track, Pineapple Slice. The mini-album itself sees BAEKHYUN return with another R&B-centric release, following on from his highly successful 2021 Bambi mini-album and single. It is familiar territory for BAEKHYUN, as he knows what he does best and excels at.

1. Good Morning – Starting off the mini-album is the R&B Good Morning. It eases us into the mini-album, exactly how the phrase ‘Good morning’ is intended to greet you. I really enjoyed the soft and mellowness of Good Morning, though there is some deep bass in the instrumental that contrasts so well with that soft/mellow descriptor and give a subtle grooviness to the song. BAEKHYUN’s vocals are so rich and decadent in this song, making Good Morning so good. (8.5/10)

2. Pineapple Slice (Title Track) – Click here for Pineapple Slice’s full review. (9/10)

3. Rendez-Vous – Rendez-Vous was first performed at the encore concerts for BAEKHYUN’s first Asia tour last year, ahead of this mini-album’s release. The track is described as a bossa-nova inspired single. I enjoyed the influence in the instrumentation, as well as the jazzy elements in the background. BAEKHYUN’s stunning falsettos amongst his signature R&B vocals are a definite highlight of Rendez-Vous. (8/10)

4. Cold Heart – For me, it is the instrumental of Cold Heart that grabs my attention. BAEKHYUN does so well in the song (as expected), but the instrumental’s dramatic and haunting vibe just speaks volumes to me. The soft pronounced beats, the trap elements and the electric guitar come together to create a very fulfilling backdrop. As for the soloist’s vocals, I really liked the emotion you can feel from him, as well as the slight autotune that makes the instrumental and vocals come together so nicely. (10/10)

5. Woo – My first impression of Woo was that the song was glitchy (I keep notes, in case you are wondering how I can remember my first impressions to a song released almost a year ago), particularly at the onset. The trap elements in the R&B instrumental help aid this. But I have since learn that this was just how Woo is presented to us. Woo’s development was something I enjoyed, particular how the song changes slightly after a little while. His vocals here are just as good as on the other songs on the mini-album, though I did think the autotune for his background vocals were a bit of a miss here. (8/10)

6. Truth Be Told – The final song on the mini-album sees BAEKHYUN leans into the sensual side of R&B. The synths in the instrumental makes Truth Be Told feel intimate and atmospheric. It is quite a combination and it works beautifully in this song. BAEKHYUN’s vocals make Truth Be Told feel smooth and sensual. I enjoyed the fact that he plays around with different textures and deliveries in the song, but never compromising on the quality of his vocals and their fit for the genre. (9/10)