Kpop: Kara - Cupid

Overcoming the member changes in Kara, they had a successful return last year with "Mamma Mia" (one of my favorite kpop songs in 2014), so now when they return with the 7th album they have nothing to prove in that area. With the new song "Cupid" they continue with their classic sound which, like AoA or 9Muses, is about delivering a steady stream of easily likable up-tempo songs with nice choreography. Cupid is not as perfect as Mamma Mia, but it is definitely another great Kara song to add to the already extensive list of favorites.

• Kara - Cupid

Kpop: EXID - Oh Yeah (아예)

Like. Like not. Like. Like not. That's my story with EXID's latest song "Ah Yeah". The song is both very interesting and catchy but it sometimes feels to much, like the structure of the song is somewhat too tense, too intense. To be fair, this is part of a distinct style of the group, see also the similar "Up & Down". The video is also a bit dualistic as it is somehow both cute and at the same time plays on x-rated themes.

• EXID - Ah Yeah (아예)

Kpop: Jimin & J.Don - God

One can make fun of some korean rapping for their posing and trying to be super-cool but myself at least can't deny korean rapping often has got that swagger and speed that makes it very listenable in my ears. I have always lived Jimin from AoA but J.Don from rookies N. Flying  is a new acquaintance. Together they do their outmost in "God" to give us that kpop rap feeling.

• Jimin & J.Don - God

Mandopop: Da Mouth - Loser & What The... (魯蛇 & 有事嗎?)

After Da Mouth's glorious piece of retro disco last month, "Funky Girl", the next release was "What The...". It was greally nice too (those bitpop sounds...), but the shadow from even better Funky Girl made me hesitate as it felt like a "weaker" follow up/copy. Now "Loser" is here, and suddenly the persective changes - the retro looks is the central theme - and the three tracks creates a whole that's just superb and heaven! "Loser" is also almost on par with "Funky Girl", so this a perfect friday blog post. Dance, dance, dance. ;-) ;-) (PS This week's episode May 19th of Xiaoyan Night has Da Mouth visiting DS)

• Da Mouth - Loser (魯蛇 )
• Da Mouth - What The... (有事嗎?)

Ho Ngoc Ha ft. Noo Phuoc Thinh (Hồ Ngọc Hà ft. Noo Phước Thịnh)

Singer and actress Hồ Ngọc Hà (originally got famous as a model) from Vietnam sings with Noo Phước Thịnh in a song that would have been perfect for the Eurovision Song Contest final on Saturday as its is engaging eurodisco with harmonic Vietnamese making it a nice dance track.

• Ho Ngoc Ha ft. Noo Phuoc Thinh - I will find you (Em Đi Tìm Anh)

Mandopop: Jam Hsiao (蕭敬騰)

Jam Hsiao from Taiwan (that acted in the likeable movie My Geeky Nerdy Buddies) has had a couple of run-of-the-mill hits (see Marry Me below) that in my world isn't worth mentioning. Then he releases "Zombie All-Stars", and we have a completely new deal. This odd video is a song about Plants vs Zombies, the hugely popular computer game that has zombies trying to invade the players lawn, who of course fights back with plants (sic)! This is faithfully reproduced with live actors, and with a music track that is both strangely at odds with the (cute but) dark theme and at the same time somehow suitable.

• Jam Hsiao - Zombie All-Stars (殭屍全明星)
• Jam Hsiao - Marry Me