Picture this: It’s 11:30. You’ve cleaned up nicely, and you want nothing more than to kick back your feet and fall into dreams. You’ve got your New Age playlist ready to accompany your sleep journey, when…Dear God, is that a vacuum cleaner? Why? It’s Tuesday night! Why do you need to vacuum at midnight? This cannot stand.

1: Literally any Modern Classical piece

Let’s start with something simple. Find those Karlheinz Stockhausen compilations gathering dust on your shelf, or search for a John Cage best of on YouTube. Unlike the classical music you might have been trained to recognize, the different styles of Modern Classical throw all of that unnecessary stuff out with the kitchen sink. Melody? Who needs that? Rhythm? Out with it! Four helicopters with a string quartet? Yes, please! Or maybe, 12 radios tuned randomly at different intervals depending on your location? Sounds great!

2: Broken Transmission

Lower the volume for a sec. They’re stomping around in their room, vibrating the walls around you.  Maybe they need a little more…persuasion. Those radios seem like a great idea; let’s stick with that. Unlike its parent genre, the supremely a e s t h e t i c vaporwave, Broken Transmission steals snatches and pieces of, well, television broadcasts and warps them around to create, um, something. The unpronounceable ░▒▓新しいデラックスライフ▓▒░ ‘s album ▣世界から解放され▣ is a 20-minute long jackhammer straight to your skull. Japanese commercials and game shows are ripped apart and echoed excessively, rattling any piece of sanity left in you. ECCO UNLIMITED’s NHK Reminds You to Boost Your Signal is the sound of the apocalypse as heard through your transistor radio. Distortion and static are the name of the game here, with pieces glitching out at random, yet in a way, it’s still beautiful. You doubt your neighbor hears the nuance.

3: Cybergrind

You strain your ears after blowing them out. Are they…screaming? At you? Of all the nerve! Well, if they want to yell, you’ll give them yelling. Cybergrind takes a lot of influence from the extreme metal genre “grindcore,” a fusion of hardcore punk and metal, with influences from every abrasive genre you can think of. Cybergrind takes this one step forward by utilizing electronic noise to the best of its ability while losing none of the hatred and self-loathing you come to expect. Cutting Pink With Knives is the best start (if you can believe a genre like this has an “introduction”), as they meld their noisy ambiance with, oddly enough, a very pop-like structure. Coming in at under 25 minutes, 2007’s Populuxxe throws everything the band has to offer in your face, beating you senseless and leaving you in a daze. If you want more, turn to the granddaddy of the genre, Agoraphobic Nosebleed. PCP Torpedo clocks in at 6 MINUTES(!) rushing around like a tornado before letting you finally catch a breath. You’ve never done anything illegal (right?) and if this album is any indication of what happens at the end of such a lifestyle, you’d pretty much be scared straight. 

4: Harsh Noise Wall

The walls are shaking at this point. You can’t even make out what your neighbor is saying; it’s all incoherent. Well, no matter. They’re continuing to make noise, and you, the decent citizen that you are, have the peace and quiet of your dorm/apartment to consider. Turn your volume to the max, and give them a taste of their own medicine. Harsh Noise Wall, unlike the rest of our journey, is lacking in one quality that sets it above the rest: humanity. At the end of the day, when the helicopter blades finish whirring and the guitars finish shredding, you can almost see the musicians pack up and leave the studio. Not so here. As one producer said of the genre, there are “No ideas, no change, no development, no entertainment, no remorse.” Why bother with album titles and artists? The Wall doesn’t care. The Wall will annihilate any sense of feeling left in your body, and The Wall will continue to blow out speakers long after you’re dead. The Wall is a monolith of noise, and always will be.

There’s a knock at your door. Finally, here they come to apologize. You’re a hero, and you can sleep like a baby knowing that justice has prevailed. At the door is a simple note. “Hey, this is your neighbor. Can you keep it down in there? Some of us are trying to sleep!” Perhaps you’re considering to explore new apartments, check out flats for rent in canary wharf.

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As always, I’ll be looking at the five songs I think best describe TWICE as a group. However, as of now, no soloists or subunits have officially been formed. So instead of delving into those at the end, this will be a double feature and I’ll give my opinion on the duo 15&, formerly under the same company of TWICE (though since disbanded).

Enough with the intros! Let’s find out why Once (that’s the fandom name if you were wondering) fell in love with TWICE!

*Survival shows are when companies take a few of their artists in training and have them compete in singing or dancing competitions for a chance to debut

5: While TWICE has played it safe in their song production since the beginning, 2017’s Signal was the first inclination that the girls had more up their sleeves. This song is classic bubblegum bass, full of rubber basslines and hyperactive synth chords that keep you entertained throughout. None of this detracts from the group’s performance either, as the vocals and MV show!

4: I consider Dance the Night Away as the link between TWICE’s lighter, earlier material and their more recent mature offerings. It has the trappings of a tropical house song, but the brass beats and syncopated bass makes it so much more than that, and into a song that lives up to its name.

3: Fancy was the group’s first full-fledged stab into more mature territory and they knocked it out of the park. The vocals are less chipper and summery and exude a more heartfelt feeling than previous songs while keeping the upbeat sound that made them famous. It’s a more subdued affair with little production wizardry a song that stands on TWICE’s vocals, which never disappoints. 

2: 2016’s TT is the song that rocketed them into the mainstream, staying at the top of the charts for a month straight. It’s a very retro song, mixing disco and house with the girls’ vocals staying at the forefront and keeping the poopy tempo throughout. This is the song you need to hear as it’s the style they’re most famous for.

1: While TT might be the song that defines TWICE’s sound, Likey is clearly the better track. With its airy melody and synth background, Likey set the stage for the current wave of girl groups and is a must-listen if you’re planning on a deeper dive into the genre. 

Honorable Mentions: Feel Special, Cheer Up, What is Love

DOUBLE FEATURE TIME

Like Twice, 15& was formed through a reality show. The duo of Park Ji-min and Baek Ye-rin always had a more sophisticated undertone to their R&B sound. It became especially noticeable after the group disbanded in 2015 and the two embarked on their solo careers. Oh My God, off their only album, is a classic 90s R&B track, Rain & Cry is a solid pop ballad, and  Somebody reigns in a class of its own as the duo’s voices reach for the heavens and the synth keeps the song driving forward.

JAMIE: Park Ji-min’s solo career took off in 2016 with her debut EP 19to20. B-side Young해 (20) is the standout, a nu-disco track that knows when to explode into a great chorus. But her true masterpiece came with her next outing, 2018’s jiminxjamie that featured the 1-2 punch of April Fools (0401) and Pick Up the Phone. The former is a very laid back R&B song, but PUTP is an audible wonderland, guest rappers coming and going, rhythms starting and stopping, and Jimin’s voice as the glue holding it all together. 

YERIN BAEK: Baek Ye-rin is my favorite out of the duo. Preferring to go after a softer sound with her solo releases. Bye Bye My Blue is a soft jazz-tinged number, the piano, lo-fi beats and Yerin’s voice bringing a cozy vibe that’s perfect on a cold winter night. Her holiday singles Love You on Christmas and November Song continue in the same vein with the latter song foreshadowing her decision to start using more English in her songs. Her last comeback, 2019’s Every letter I sent you. takes a retro trip through 70s and 80s love songs and updating them for a modern audience with Popo (How Deep Is Our Love?) taking the number one spot, its saccharine strings and backing band giving off a calming atmosphere. 

Unlike the previous groups I reviewed, TWICE is still making music and performing in South Korea. Their latest comeback, the synthwave track I Can’t Stop Me was released just last month, so if you’re interested go check it out! As for next time, we’ll be taking a look at TWICE’s brother group GOT7!

The post Welcome to K-pop: TWICE Guide appeared first on KRUI Radio.

If you were anywhere near the K-pop fandom in the early 2010’s it would have been impossible to avoid EXO. At the time, they were indisputably at the top of the pyramid, rivaling even BTS in their early years. Nowadays, their momentum has slowed due to mandatory military service and the debut of newer groups. However, they still cast a large shadow over the genre. EXO has had a history of darker sound and visuals in their releases, which foreshadowed the current renaissance of more angsty concepts. EXO still proves their versatility and their importance to the K-pop scene with sub-units and solos. As always, I’ll be listing five singles that I believe best encompass EXO’s style, along with sub-units and soloists. With that out of the way, let’s jump into the wonderful world that EXO-L’s (that’s the fandom name, if you were wondering) have followed for years!

5: It’s important in matters relating to K-pop to keep your biases in check. Luckily though, this is a personal review series so I can talk about Lotto. It’s never been one of their out-and-out popular songs, but there’s just something about the trap beats and autotuned vocals that make it stand out. Plus, the music video (MV) is one of their best. 

4: EXO’s first splash in the K-pop world, while definitely memorable, might not have left the legacy they wished. When Mama released, the concept behind EXO was a sci-fi opera that required loads of background lore to understand, and the song was meant to add to this story. But as this part of their history was dropped, Mama’s bombasticness really stood out. This isn’t to say it’s a bad song. In fact, the opening is probably one of the most famous in K-pop and the chorus really allows the group to indulge in theatrical vocals. 

3: Growl was the breakout hit of EXO’s career. The simplistic funk synth that underpins the whole song keeps the melody grounded while EXO’s vocals and rap weave around it mischievously. It’s a masterpiece of MV and audio working perfectly both separately and together. 

2: Released late last year with some of their members on army leave, Obsession still leaves just as big of an impression as their earlier hits. The song is warped in the most delightful way, teetering between paranoia and passion without leaving the listener room to breathe. From the pitch-shifted vocals to the near subterranean bass, this song proves that EXO still has staying power to this day. 

1: As good as Obsession is though, EXO’s true top song tackled the same themes of fixation in a much more gritty and organic fashion. Monster explodes from the beginning. It’s a very sparse song, building the tension though the verses and only releasing during the chorus. It’s a great song that starts with a bang and ends with a whimper. Once again, the MV really enhances the song itself. 

Honorable Mentions: Tempo, History, Love Me Right

Now we delve into subunits and soloists!

SUB-UNITS:

EXO-CBX: Formed from three of EXO’s top vocalists (Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin), EXO-CBX has always given off a more laidback retro vibe with their songs. Hey Mama! Is a more funk based song and B-side The One letting loose with a bubbly synth backbone. Plus, Japanese-only release Horololo is just so joyful to hear that I can’t deny it a place on this list. 

EXO-SC: Sehun and Chanyeol, lead rappers in the group, makeup the duo EXO-SC. As such, the two’s tracks have more of a R&B bent than the main group. Debut song What a Life has a very staccato rhythm that works well with the duo’s raps, while 1 Billion Views gives an updated sound to the city pop genre so renowned in East Asia.

*City pop is an adult-oriented genre popular in 1980s Japan.

SOLOISTS: 

LAY: The “exodus” of EXO’s Chinese members left the group in limbo for a bit, and by the end of that fiasco (which is something far out of my league to discuss here) member Lay is the only one who remained with the company. While he remains on hiatus from the group, for now, his solo career keeps him just as busy. Namanana mixes traditional Chinese instrumentation with an R&B sound, while Honey is probably the most seductive K-pop song I’ve ever heard (it’s in English too!).

CHEN: As always, I have a soft spot for the ballad singers. Chen’s career began last year with the piano-driven single Beautiful Goodbye and his powerful voice really conveys the emotion behind the song. Shall We? followed with a more melancholy city pop sound that really suits Chen’s vocals. He’s been quiet in the last couple of months due to military service and a surprise marriage, but once he returns I can’t wait for more.

BAEKHYUN: Baekhyun’s solo career followed a similar path that many other soloists took; R&B crooner is a successful field after all. What differentiates him is his choice of production. UN Village is a smooth track that embodies a late-night vibe, while Candy lays down a lo-fi house beat that’s impossible to ignore. In the overpacked world of K-R&B, Baekhyun truly stands as one of the best. 

Hope you learned some more about EXO! Next up, we’ll take a look at “Asia’s No.1 Girl Group” TWICE!

The post Welcome to K-pop: EXO Guide appeared first on KRUI Radio.

That’s why I’m here!

What follows is 5 singles (or title tracks as they’re known in Korea) that are the best encapsulation of what SNSD brings to the musical table. Along with these picks are three releases by members who have undertaken solo careers and by subunits (a group composed of members within the wider group, fairly common in K-pop). So buckle in, and dive into the world that SNE’s (that’s the name of the group’s fans, for those of you wondering) have fallen in love with for over a decade!

5. Into the New World has gone down as one of the best debuts in K-pop history, despite failing to chart at its release. Within this song, you can hear the evolution of K-pop from 90’s rhythms to the more experimental sounds of today. Plus, the chorus even has a little guitar lick, giving it a very cool power ballad feel!

4. All Night was SNSD’s last release before their hiatus in 2017, and even if it is truly their last song, the quality still remains. While the verses and buildup have a very standard “party” sound, the chorus is once again the star, featuring a mix of deep/tropical house beats that are undeniably groovy.

3. Catch Me If You Can might just be as dark as SNSD ever got. With a grimy electro undertone throughout the verses and a killer dance breakdown (don’t forget, music videos are extremely important here), Girls’ Generation successfully warped their sound while keeping it as poppy as ever. 

2. Speaking of experimental, when I Got a Boy dropped in 2013, the K-pop landscape would never be quite the same. Everything from dubstep, electropop, and hip hop are thrown together in what is a melting pot of where K-pop was at the time. Some would go so far as to call it the “Bohemian Rhapsody” of Korea. In a weird way, it makes a lot of sense. 

1. Gee. Simply the name alone would be enough to get a reaction out of any K-pop fan. For years, this song was K-pop in every sense of the word, and its SNSD at their poppiest. It’s the perfect distillation of the girl group sound, and I have yet to hear anything that can match its sheer staying power. 

Honorable Mentions: Genie, Mr. Mr., Lion Heart

SUBUNIT AND SOLO PICKS

Throughout their career, SNSD has had two subgroups and multiple solo careers. What follows are my favorites from these that showcase the variety of talent this group has!

SNSD-TTS: This group was formed during a period when many of the other members had prior commitments such as TV shows or movie filming. The remaining three, which consisted of vocalists Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun, used this lull in activity to release music as SNSD-TTS (the initials of their names). While they were never my go-to unit to listen to, it’s hard to deny the power of their single Holler. The funky brass that underlies the whole song is nigh-impossible to remove from your head after listening, and the trio really gets a chance to show-off their vocal abilities!

SNSD-OH!GG: In late 2017, three members left the label, leaving the fate of the group shrouded. The remaining five members formed a unit as OH!GG, though they would only release one single before falling silent again. I’ve always been more fond of the B-side, Fermata. It’s a softer, more acoustic number that gives off a very cozy feeling, heightened by the vocals and quirky synth in the chorus. 

As for solos, I picked three members whose careers have interested me!

HYOYEON: I think out of all the possible routes a K-pop idol can take once they decide to go solo, EDM DJ has never been on the top of the list. Nevertheless, Hyoyeon (or HYO depending on the release), seems to be at the top of her game as an electronica queen. Badster is simply one of the hardest trance songs I’ve ever heard and her collaboration with American artist 3LAU Punk Right Now wouldn’t seem out of place in any Western EDM festival. 

TAEYEON: Leader of SNSD, Taeyeon has always held a spot in the top vocalists in the K-pop industry. Her music takes a lot of the same cues as Taylor Swift’s yet she makes them her own melodies. Her debut song I and later singles 11:11 and Fine are all great examples of this sound, and it’s one she proves to be a master at. 

YOONA: While more famous as an actor, it’s her music that makes Yoona my personal favorite among the SNSD soloists. Ballads are one of my favorite trends in K-pop, and it’s where Yoona specializes. To You is a melancholy piano tune (done in collaboration with musician Lee Sang-soon) that’s perfect for staying in bed during a rainy morning. When the Wind Blows is carried by a mournful guitar that makes me want to lay in a field of flowers. If you want to be comforted, you can’t go wrong with Yoona!

I hope this guide helps in some way! Next time, we’ll take a look at SNSD’s “brother group” EXO, one of the best selling K-pop artists of all time!

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