Kpop: 9Muses - Glue(글루)

If I was to mention one kpop group that I would say delivers the highest percentage of good songs and videos, not the best but never failing or being boring, then I would give you 9Muses. Their concept is to do uptempo and uncomplicated videos with they 9 memebers showing of their looks. They usually have some kind of loose visual theme, with the last one for Gun being maybe the best one, but its really just an excuse to do almost pin-up style photoshoots of the girls. It's objectification, of course, like most of the other kpop, but somehow 9Muses does their thing consistently and with a smile without going to the extreme (again, Gun is a prime example, do watch it). The new song "Glue" is somewhat simpler than Gun, the theme here being kind of Friday at the disco. It does make me think they have tried to copy AOA's latest "Confused", which is better both visually and musically, but that is the point - 9Muses may not rock the show or place in the top spot, but they always deliver.

• 9Muses - Glue (글루)

Jpop: Orland

Consisting of three synths and one drum, Orlando is a retro-indie act from Japan which does 80s style synth-disco. Even though their newest video "Because Of You" for the first time consist of their own film material it continues the feeling of earlier works, which were made of old video clips.

• Orland - Magic
• Orland - Because Of You
• Orland - All That You Give
• Orland - The Twilight Hour
• Orland - Stardust

Kpop: Crayon Pop - Lonely Christmas (꾸리스마스)

Crayon Pop has finally released the next real video after their super success Bar Bar Bar, and obviously it would be hard to repeat their success so they (their record company) has gone for the safe option and trying to do a Christmas "Bar Bar Bar v2.0". WHich off doesn't work, at least for me. Its mostly "Yeah I still like them, but _meh_ an lost opportunity. I feel at every step of their career their company and promoters has just fumbled away Crayon Pop's real potential. It feels like they are like nice girls who's naivety has gotten them in bad company (in both senses). Also, the success with Bar Bar Bar seems to mean they have to appear with those helmets wherever they go, but does it really need to be so one-dimensional? Yep, I'm whining a little, but if you follow Crayon Pop up to Bar Bar Bar you can see that it is not a question of a fan not liking "their" group becoming popular with everyone, but a real worry they may lose the character that took them there from the start.

• Crayon Pop - Lonely Christmas (꾸리스마스)

Jpop: L.E.D. ft Salyu - Soramizu ni naru (空水になる)

I'm mostly interested in this song from L.E.D. because Salyu is singing, but if you want to listen to more songs from them, this or this is a good starting point.

• L.E.D. ft Salyu - Soramizu ni naru (空水になる)

Russian/Ukrainian pop: Olya Polyakova (Оля Полякова)

Olya Polyakova is somewhat of a playful Russian version of Lady Gaga, and her videos plays with Gangnam style, Russian kitch and (self)-ironic sexuality. It is fun and as a rule nice pop too, and I think it is the humor in combination with the Russian dialect and catchy refrains that does it.

• Olya Polyakova - Lullaby (Люли)
• Olya Polyakova - Boys Like It (Мальчикам это нравится...)
• Olya Polyakova - Russian Style
• Olya Polyakova - Spanking (#Шлёпки)
• Olya Polyakova - Ball (Шарик)
• Olya Polyakova - Love is... (Любовь это...)
• Olya Polyakova - 90-60-90
• Olya Polyakova - Superblond (Суперблондинка)

Ukrainian pop: Semargl - Discolove

I'm been unsure whether to blog or not about this song from Semargl, as their earlier videos wasn't really my cup of tea at all (even though I may like metal in general, they were just to silly), but with the addition of a female singer (Adele) and a updated sound it was time. Adele may sing a litle false at times and the song is simplistic but the refrain is a little addictive.

• Semargl - Discolove

Mandopop: Karen Mok (莫文蔚)

Karen Mok from Hong Kong is a charming actress and singer born in 1970 who still charms and enchants with her sensual voice in english and mandarin, jazz being her forte. Her latest video, The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships from last winter just shows again that good singers can become better (and more beautiful) with age. Her voice is soft and like a caress for the ears. Read more about this 17th album here.

• Karen Mok - The Face That Launched A 1000 Ships (傾國傾城)
• Karen Mok - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
• Karen Mok - You Are So Beautiful
• Karen Mok - Without You (如果没有你)
• Karen Mok - Close To You
• Karen Mok - Cloudy Day(陰天)
• Karen Mok - live (4 songs)