Kpop: BTS - Fire & I Need U

Well, I am catching up on my kpop boy band deficiency, and what better than to write again about BTS as they released two excellent songs this last week. "Fire" has their usual attitude intensive (over...)posturing but the song delivers so it is well and OK, but my favorite is the more sober "I need U", a ballad that touches my heart (wonders of all wonders).

• BTS - I Need U
• BTS - Fire (불타오르네)
• BTS - Dope (Because - the video!)

Kpop: Infinite - Bad

Korean Inifinite has done their share of great and dramtic songs with "The Chaser" being number one for me. The latest song "Bad" is not quite up there but it's good enough.

• Infinite - Bad

Mandopop: Jolin Tsai - Lip Reading (唇語)

The 4th single from Taiwanese Jolin Tsai's latest album "Play", this video sounds like a Bond theme to me, and the story theme is quite along those lines too.

• Jolin Tsai - Lip Reading (唇語)

Kpop: Royal Pirates (로열 파이럿츠)

I was so sure I had written about Royal Pirates before, but evidently it slipped my mind. Anyway, they are something as unusual in kpop as an boy band that actually plays (their) instruments. The sound is fun and light-way rock (in a positive way), and the new Love Toxic is no exception.

• Royal Pirates - Love Toxic (사랑에 빠져)
• Royal Pirates - Drawing The Line
• Royal Pirates - Shout Out (Synth Rock version)

Jpop: Mono

Mono is a (mostly) instrumental group from Japan, so if you find listening to the Japanese language isn't your "thing", this could be something you could still enjoy. Their home page. Thanks to Jimi for the tip.

• Mono - Follow the map
• Mono - Nostalgia (live)
• Mono - Yearning
• Mono - Black Rain
• Mono - The sky remains the same as ever