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aespa Mini Album Vol. 4 - Drama (Drama Version)
aespa
Half a year after MY WORLD, aespa returns with their fourth mini-album Drama, bringing listeners some dynamic and empowering songs to jam to. Since they've put aside their "ae" and "KWANGYA" metaverse concept, we are now able to appreciate and focus more on the group's musicality. The girls bring all the drama in the hip-hop dance lead single Drama (Track 1)! Winter and Ningning slay with their on-point high notes, while Karina and Giselle also portray interesting vocal acting in their verses. Though Drama is not as addictive as their last comeback title Spicy, it's definitely a song that recalls the strong and dark vibe of their debut era. "Now you see me. Now you don't." With a powerful... [read more]
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ONF Mini Album Vol. 7 - Love Effect (Random Version)
ONF
"Lights On, hearts connected. Our LOVE stronger than ever." Almost two years after Goosebumps, ONF finally returns from the military and comes back in a full-member lineup for their seventh mini-album LOVE EFFECT! Producer Hwang Hyun again took charge of the production of LOVE EFFECT, an album that gathers the members' thoughts and sentiments while they were away from fans for one and a half years. Hyo Jin, E-TION, J-US, Wyatt, MK and U first unfold a new chapter with Be Here Now (Track 1) by showing their gratitude to fans who have waited for them: "The road that no one took, I've decided to go, because I have you who trust me. Let's sing all night now. Let's scream and dance together. Our... [read more]
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RIIZE Single Album Vol. 1 - Get A Guitar (Rise Version)
RIIZE
RIIZE officially becomes the first idol group to debut under SM Entertainment following the agency's contentious launching of the "SM 3.0" strategic plan earlier this year. Shotaro and Sung Chan left NCT to join RIIZE alongside SM Rookies' Eun Seok and Seung Han, Won Bin, So Hee and Anton. The rookies aspire to "rise" and "realize" their dreams while sharing their music and growing up with their fans BRIIZE. The boys express their emotions, inspirations and memories through two songs in their first single album Get A Guitar. Accompanied with addictively funky guitar rhythms and retro synth sounds, titular track Get A Guitar (Track 1) gives off a stylish and playful ambience while telling... [read more]
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Infinite Mini Album Vol. 7 - 13egin (COME Version)
Infinite
After four years of group hiatus, Infinite finally comes back again in a full-member lineup with their long-awaited seventh mini-album! The album is named 13egin to mark a new beginning for the group as they celebrate the 13th anniversary of their debut. Known for their powerful tunes and synchronized dancing, Infinite shows us mature New Emotions this time in the new album. Opening with Intro: 13 (Track 1) that signifies their start, 13egins sets off in a stylish mood with the title track New Emotions (Track 2). Produced by Ryan Jhun and Cory Enemy, New Emotions captures how a man feels "brand new emotions" as he falls helplessly in love with his crush: "You make me / Lose my mind / More... [read more]
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EXO Vol. 7 - EXIST (Photobook Version) (Random Version)
EXO
There has been a lot of drama with EXO this year, but that doesn't stop them from gifting EXO-Ls their first group comeback in a while. Two years after DON'T FIGHT THE FEELING, the EXO members gather again to prove that they're still strong in the K-pop game with their seventh full-length album EXIST. EXO returns with the pop dance title track Cream Soda (Track 1), which portrays an irresistible seduction to fall for, even knowing it could be risky and harmful. The song gives off a sexy ambience like the group's 2018 hit Love Shot. With its high notes and pitches, Cream Soda is the best song to show off the members' outstanding vocal skills. Chen, Baek Hyun, D.O., Suho and Xiumin's delivery... [read more]
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KISS OF LIFE Mini Album Vol. 1 - KISS OF LIFE
KISS OF LIFE
It's girl group domination in K-pop! Rookie group KISS OF LIFE from S2 Entertainment, founded by former Cube Entertainment chairman Hong Seung Sung, gathers four strong members – dancer Natty (from SIXTEEN and Idol School), main vocalist Belle (one of the songwriters of LE SSERAFIM's UNFORGIVEN), rapper Julie (former trainee of THEBLACKLABEL and Swing Entertainment), and lead vocalist Ha Neul. The girls show their versatility, skills and stage presence through their first mini-album KISS OF LIFE. In their self-titled debut release, KISS OF LIFE sets out to search for freedom as well as their true selves. They first reveal their group identity with the lead single Shhh (Track 1), which... [read more]
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LE SSERAFIM Vol. 1 - UNFORGIVEN (Random Version)
LE SSERAFIM
"I'm never going back. Burn the bridge, burn it all. We don't have to be forgiven. We are unforgiven." Following FEARLESS and ANTIFRAGILE, LE SSERAFIM continues to unleash their unique strong presence with powerful dancing and stylish sounds in their first full-length studio album UNFORGIVEN. Though there are 13 tracks in the album, the first six tracks are not new songs. UNFORGIVEN includes the five-member versions of The World Is My Oyster (Track 1), FEARLESS (Track 2) and Blue Flame (Track 3) from debut EP FEARLESS, in addition to three songs from second mini-album ANTIFRAGILE – The Hydra (Track 4), ANTIFRAGILE (Track 5) and Impurities (Track 6). Like with their previous two records, LE... [read more]
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BTOB Mini Album Vol. 12 - Wind and Wish (Wish Version)
BTOB
Spring is the season of blossoming, flowering and new beginnings. Before officially welcoming summer, BTOB leads us to embark on a journey searching for hope, happiness and healing moments in late spring with their 12th mini-album Wind and Wish. BTOB sends well wishes to loved ones in the lead single Wind And Wish (Track 1). Produced by Hyun Sik and MosPick's Son Young Jin, the dance ballad is filled with heartwarming lyrics that go perfectly with breezy spring days: "Woo-Ah Woah, deliver my heart, so that I can reach you far away. Woo-Ah Woah, when my wind passes by, you can feel the love." Different from their signature spring hit "Remember That," Wind And Wish feels more like the spring... [read more]
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STAYC Single Album Vol. 4 - Teddy Bear (Random Version)
STAYC
"STAYC girls, it's going down!" Since their debut with SO BAD in 2020, STAYC has been stealing hearts with their impressive live performance skills and catchy tunes crafted by producers Black Eyed Pilseung. They make their first comeback of the year with fourth single album Teddy Bear, spreading their cutesy and bubbly "teen fresh" vibe on Valentine's Day! Though STAYC is well-loved for their refreshing and energetic live singing, their singing style has always been a double-edged sword – so overpowering that it's sometimes exhausting to the ear. But in lead single Teddy Bear (Track 1), the girls sound way more comfortable, especially Yoon, Su Min and J. The song adorably expresses the... [read more]
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NewJeans Single Album Vol. 1 - OMG (Weverse Album Version)
NewJeans
Slaying with their debut album New Jeans that includes global hits like Hype Boy and Attention, NewJeans stuns audiences again with their first single album OMG! Min Ji, Hanni, Danielle, Hae Rin and Hye In continue to impress with their clean vocals blended in addictive, refreshing and easy-listening tunes. "Stay in the middle, like you a little. Don't want no riddle, say it, say it back. Oh say it ditto. I want you so, want you. So say it ditto." NewJeans tells another young, puppy love story in the old-school and sentimental Ditto (Track 2). Co-written by Min Ji, The Black Skirts and Oohyo, Ditto showcases a more emotional side of NewJeans in a stylish fashion of music rarely seen in... [read more]
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NewJeans Single Album Vol. 1 - OMG (Message Card Version) (Random Version)
NewJeans
Slaying with their debut album New Jeans that includes global hits like Hype Boy and Attention, NewJeans stuns audiences again with their first single album OMG! Min Ji, Hanni, Danielle, Hae Rin and Hye In continue to impress with their clean vocals blended in addictive, refreshing and easy-listening tunes. "Stay in the middle, like you a little. Don't want no riddle, say it, say it back. Oh say it ditto. I want you so, want you. So say it ditto." NewJeans tells another young, puppy love story in the old-school and sentimental Ditto (Track 2). Co-written by Min Ji, The Black Skirts and Oohyo, Ditto showcases a more emotional side of NewJeans in a stylish fashion of music rarely seen in... [read more]
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CSR Single Album Vol. 1 - Sequence: 17&
CSR
This year, K-pop is in full bloom with the rise of new blood like IVE, NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, Kep1er and NMIXX. Among fifth-generation K-pop girl groups, CSR may be a lesser-known name, but their refreshing song and style are worth our attention! CSR, whose name is taken from the initials of "cho sa rang" ("first love" in Korean), sparks cute and jolly energy with their sweet and upbeat songs in their first single album Sequence: 17&. Produced by MonoTree's Hwang Hyun, title track ♡TiCON (Track 1) expresses the shy, confused and heart-fluttering feelings of young girls in love through a teen-pop dance number: "Please explain how you feel. How do you love?! Whenever I want to see you, I put... [read more]
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(G)I-DLE Mini Album Vol. 5 - I love (Random Version)
(G)I-DLE
Just half a year after their chart-sweeping TOMBOY, (G)I-DLE comes back with another masterpiece release – I love. The girls portray six stories revolving around different kinds of love in their fifth mini-album. Minnie, Mi Yeon, So Yeon, Yuqi and Shuhua confidently break stereotypes again in the groundbreaking title track Nxde (Track 1)! Sampling Habanera from the opera Carmen, the alternative pop jam Nxde is inspired by Marilyn Monroe, with empowering lyrics about Nxde stars unveiling their true selves regardless of what others think: "If you were expecting some rated R show, oh I'm sorry, but that's not what we're showing. For refund, see that direction, whatever people say is not my... [read more]
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BLACKPINK Vol. 2 - BORN PINK (Box Set Version) (Random Version)
BLACKPINK
Another two years have passed, and finally a new BLACKPINK album has arrived! In BLACKPINK's second full-length album BORN PINK, the girls share their sensitive and sentimental thoughts in more dauntless lyrics (three of the eight new songs are marked explicit). BORN PINK opens with the group's signature and charismatic hip-hop style jams. Serving as the group's first release in two years, the multi-genre pre-release single Pink Venom (Track 1) is creative yet slightly underwhelming as it's not as resonant as expected, but the song's charting proves that public reception is still good. Title track Shut Down (Track 2) combines classical music – sampling of Niccolò Paganini's La Campanella –... [read more]
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NewJeans EP Album Vol. 1 - New Jeans (Bluebook Version) (Random Version)
NewJeans
HYBE and ADOR's long-awaited first girl group has finally arrived! NewJeans, produced by the proficient Min Hee Jin, has been grabbing attention since day one with their musical and fashion aesthetics that are pleasing to both the ear and the eye. On August 1, the group officially made their debut with the self-titled EP New Jeans. "A-T-T-E-N-T-I-ON, attention is what I want. A-T-T-E-N-T-I-ON, you got me looking for attention." The groovy intro and title track Attention (Track 1) introduces audiences to the beautiful vocal timbres and harmonies of these rookies. As the group's first-ever release, Attention sets up a fresh and dynamic style for them with its dreamy and subtly laid-back... [read more]
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KARD Mini Album Vol. 5 - Re:
KARD
Following two years of wait, KARD finally returns with a new music release! The co-ed group revives their presence in the K-pop scene with their fifth mini-album Re:. J.seph, BM, So Min and Ji Woo all took part in writing lyrics for the intro Break Down (Track 1), a song that shows their edgy and powerful side: "You say I gotta look good, I gotta look bad. Then you go and look for things that I lack… You love when I break down." Co-composed by RBW's Kim Do Hoon and Lee Hyun Seung, lead single Ring The Alarm (Track 2) gives off joyous summer vibes with its refreshing Moombahton tune accompanied with subtly sexy lyrics: "Ring the alarm, get on it, get on it all. What you want, what you need,... [read more]
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MeloMance Mini Album Vol. 7 - Invitation
MeloMance
From their 2017 sleeper hit Gift to the recent Business Proposal soundtrack Love, Maybe, MeloMance specializes in heart-touching and melodious tunes that give us all the feels. Two and a half years after Festival, the duo returns with five self-penned love songs in Invitation to accompany us during the romantic blossoming season. Kim Min Seok and Jeong Dong Hwan invite us to a festival of love in their five-track record. Showing off his powerful and refreshing vocal, Kim Min Seok conveys the growing feeling of excitement as he's on his way to meet his crush in the rhythmic title track Invitation (Track 1) – "I thought of you and froze. I'm getting ready to meet up with you who reached out... [read more]
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Bolbbalgan4 Mini Album - Seoul
Bolbbalgan4
We all enjoy Bolbbalgan4's spring jams – like Bom, Some, Travel, Hug – so it's sad that we didn't hear any spring-themed releases from her in the past two years. This year, Ji Young finally brings some sweet and lighthearted songs that put us in a lovey-dovey mood during the blossoming season. Our dreamy journey to Seoul sets off with first track Love Story, a modern rock number with high-teen spirit. Love Story cutely conveys the dreamlike feelings of a person in love: "It feels like the stars in the night sky are pouring down / Oh god please this is not a dream." The singer-songwriter captures a budding romance that first started in Seoul in the title track Seoul (Track 2). Refreshing and... [read more]
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IVE Single Album Vol. 2 - LOVE DIVE (Random Version)
IVE
Starship Entertainment's latest girl group IVE shot to fame in late 2022 with their chart-topping debut hit ELEVEN, which swept 13 trophies on music shows. With two IZ*ONE members in the group, you already know they're going to be big, but they've gone even higher than expected with such a well-made and stylish debut single. Four months after their eye-catching debut, the girls come back stronger and sassier with the new single album LOVE DIVE! IVE shows confidence and promotes self-love in the captivating, dark modern pop title track LOVE DIVE (Track 1). While some may suggest that it's merely about romantic love, LOVE DIVE can also be interpreted as looking into the mirror and falling in... [read more]
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WEi Mini Album Vol. 4 - Love Part.1 : First Love (FALLING IN LOVE Version)
WEi
From debut single Twilight to All or Nothing and Bye Bye Bye, WEi has pulled off various concepts in their first album trilogy. Out of all the concepts they've tried, I still think that cute, bubbly music and fashion style suit them the best, like DOREMIFA from IDENTITY: First Sight. This time, the boys finally reveal their high-spirited and youthful vibe by singing stories about first love in their fourth mini-album Love Part.1: First Love. Love Part.1: First Love sets its dreamy and romantic mood with Dae Hyeon's Britpop-style BLOSSOM (Track 1) that compares first love to the blossoming season. They shyly confess to a crush in the feel-good title track Too Bad (Track 2): "This... [read more]
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