Kpop: Twice - TT (티티)

The international emoji for crying eyes, 'TT', is the title of the first single from Twice's third mini album. It gives us a Halloween theme and a sound that is so very much familiar that it borders on confusingly similar to hits like "Ooh Aah" at times. Still, it is a good quality song and a lovely video.

• Twice - TT (티티)

Jpop: Frederic - Night Step (ナイトステップ)

All the images is from "Night Step"

I've really like Frederic sound since the start, but the first video Rererepeat from their upcoming first full length album made me feel like I'd had enough of their signature guitar sound.
Then now comes "Night Step", and it feels all fresh again. Just a small twist, adding some nerve and a dash of darkness, and it is even more addictive.

• Frederic - Night Step (ナイトステップ)
• Frederic - Rererepeat (リリリピート)

Kpop-ish: Far East Movement

The successful EDM trio Far East Movement from Los Angeles will with their upcoming album Identity connect more explicitly with their korean heritage by doing collabs with several kpop artists like Chanyeol (EXO), Hyolyn (Sistar) and Yoonmirae.

• Far East Movement & Marshmello ft. Chanyeol & Tinashe - Freal Love
• Far East Movement ft. The Cataracs, DEV - Like A G6
• Far East Movement ft. Cover Drive - Turn Up The Love
• Far East Movement & Justin Bieber - Live My Life

Kpop: I.O.I (아이오아이)

The new single from I.O.I first made me at first think "OK, another effort from the new girls, but still not quite interesting". Then the obvious "Russian Roulette" similarities became obvious which made me more sceptic ("copying such a recent video also, are you?"). Having listened to it one more time, and just one more time, and then again...I had to give it to them, it has something that - while still very close to Red Velvet's hit - is their special own. Russian Roulette is more warm and mature, but I.O.I instead has a kind of hypnotic workout rhythm going for it.

• I.O.I - Very Very Very (너무너무너무)
• I.O.I - Whatta Man (Good man)
• I.O.I - Dream Girls (드림걸스)

Kpop: Ladies Code - The Rain (더 레인)

After the tradgedies of 2014 the remaining three women of Ladies Code balanced their comeback perfectly  with Galaxy, where they found a darker but emotional tone. They seem to be building on this in "The Rain", a classy and sober video. The song is simplistic but well produced and again I think it suits them well.

• Ladies Code - The Rain (더 레인)