One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! 4 Walls (from 4 Walls – 2015) I often wonder how I would have responded to 4 Walls had it been released before SHINee’s View. This song was originally meant for the guys, but it fits f(x) like a glove. Yet, I’m … Continue reading
Tag Archives: K-Pop A-Z
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – 12:25 (Wish List)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! 12:25 (Wish List) (from Winter Garden – 2015) Unlike yesterday’s look at an f(x) holiday track, this write-up will be more favorable. 12.25 happens to be firmly ensconced on my own holiday playlist. I love its off-kilter sound, leveraging the infinite power … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – 1, 2, 3
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! 1, 2, 3 (from SMTOWN Winter ‘The Warmest Gift’ – 2011) Released as part of the special winter compilation albums SM Entertainment used to release, 1,2,3 is undeniably cheesy. It feels as if it was ripped from some imaginary Disney movie, down … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Zig Zag
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Zig Zag (from Electric Shock – 2012) Zig Zag is a percussive beast, throwing all its weight behind the robust set of rhythmic elements that make up most of its instrumental. Even the swoops of distorted synth have a percussive drive. And … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – You Are My Destiny (Luna & Krystal)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! You Are My Destiny (Luna & Krystal) (from Chu – 2009) Previewing the sentimental style they’d bring to many OST releases, You Are My Destiny is a standard K-ballad performed by two powerhouse vocalists. In that regard, it’s an enjoyable showcase for … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – X
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! X (from 4 Walls – 2015) Continuing the retro grooves that fuel most of the 4 Walls album, X brings us back to 80’s electro-funk in great style. The gurgling instrumental is immensely appealing, and offers a playground for the girls to … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – When I’m Alone
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! When I’m Alone (from 4 Walls – 2015) With a co-writing credit from Carly Rae Jepsen (!), you might expect When I’m Alone to be an upbeat bubblegum pop song. Instead, this glistening, synth-fueled slow burn caps off the 4 Walls album … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Traveler (ft. Zico)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Traveler (ft. Zico) (from 4 Walls – 2015) Traveler has a slinky dance beat that’s quite addictive. To describe the texture, the best word I can think of is “corrugated,” though I guess “oscillating” is probably the better musical term. Either way, … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Toy
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Toy (from Pink Tape – 2013) It’s not easy to stand out within the adventurous Pink Tape album, but I’ve always found Toy to be a particular highlight. I adore the fade-in that opens the track, making the chanted hook that follows … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Thrill Love
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Thrill Love (from Hungry Romeo, Luxury Juliet OST – 2010) Another of f(x)’s many OST releases, Thrill Love has a bit of spark to it. It’s not a patch on their best work, but the effusive synth production gives it a fluffy … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – The Truth Is (Shh!)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! The Truth Is (Shh!) (from Juloring Animal Detectives OST – 2010) Earlier in this feature, I remarked on how unadventurous f(x)’s OST songs were compared to their album work. Well… I guess all it takes is a children’s animation to bring out … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Sweet Witches
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Sweet Witches (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) Sweet Witches is an off-kilter electro pop track with a bit of a lounge feel. It’s a real oddball, from its simple synth beat to its staccato melody. Almost the entire track hinges … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Surprise Party
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Surprise Party (from Nu ABO – 2010) With a glossy 90’s r&b beat and wisps of strings and keys, Surprise Party’s instrumental is its greatest asset. The entire thing harnesses a head-nodding groove, ornamenting the track in all the right places with … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Summer Lover
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Summer Lover (from Red Light – 2014) You’ll probably have a sense of how Summer Lover sounds before even playing it, and the song does a good job encapsulating the appeal of the season. The instrumental melds a stomping beat to an … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Step By Me
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Step By Me (from Chu – 2009) Released as part of f(x)’s first single album, Step By Me only hints at the daring group they would become. Instead, it exists in the “cuter” range of the girls’ discography, offering a throwback rhythm … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Step
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Step (from Pink Tape – 2013) Step is the militant club anthem f(x) were born to deliver. It has personality for days, throbbing over brassy synths and distorted electronics. Much of the melody is targeted at the same endpoint, giving the verses … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Stand Up!
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Stand Up! (from Pinocchio / Hot Summer – 2011) Stand Up is the kind of cheery girl group song you’d expect of most K-pop acts. It actually feels a little more suited to the Japanese market than Korea. The melody is bright … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Spread Its Wings
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Spread Its Wings (from God Of Study OST – 2010) A sub-unit track recorded for the God Of Study OST, Spread Its Wings brings together Luna, Krystal and Amber for a mushy mid-tempo that sounds exactly as you’d expect it to. For … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Spit It Out
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Spit It Out (from Red Light – 2014) Spit It Out’s introduction is quite exciting, unveiling an ascending bed of synths and vocals. This quickly collapses into an off-kilter rap before segueing into a rapid-fire melodic verse. The song moves at such … Continue reading
K-Pop A-Z Review: f(x) – Sorry (Dear.Daddy)
One song. Every day. Alphabetical order. Keep up with f(x)’s A-Z reviews here! Sorry (Dear.Daddy) (from Nu ABO – 2010) This song title does not inspire confidence. Despite considering Madonna’s Papa Don’t Preach one of the finest pop songs in history, these kind of daughter-to-father tracks are usually way too sentimental for me. And, that’s … Continue reading