In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I’m putting 3rd gen boy group vocals to the test. Using tracks from SEVENTEEN, NCT, MONSTA X, GOT7 and ASTRO, I strip the production back and listen to what’s really happening vocally.

3rd gen is often praised for strong main vocals and fuller tone but does that hold up when you isolate the stems? I compare vocal complexity, harmony delivery to see where each group shines and where the production helps more than we realise.

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I’m putting two very different sides of XG head to head, the sleek, R&B-leaning confidence of “Shooting Star” versus the high-energy, house-driven pulse of “Hypnotize.”

I strip both tracks back and really listen to what’s doing the heavy lifting: the vocal layering, the attitude in delivery, the production choices, and how the genre shift changes their identity. “Shooting Star” leans into smoother tones and swagger, while “Hypnotize” pushes tempo and momentum but does that energy come at the expense of nuance?

In today’s episode, I break down the latest headlines from Manon’s hiatus from KATSEYE to the controversy surrounding XG's manager/creator Simon and producer Chancellor. I also revisit ALPHADRIVEONE’s debut, unpack the complaints, and ask whether they actually made the impact people expected.

And because critique is easy but direction is harder, I map out my own fantasy mini album concept for where I think ALPHADRIVEONE should go next sonically.

Has BTS’ vocal production actually evolved or are we hearing the same formula dressed differently?

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I go back and listen closely to BTS across eras from “Just One Day” and “Fake Love” to “Boy With Luv” and “Dynamite.” By stripping back the tracks and focusing specifically on vocal processing, layering, tuning, and texture, I’m asking a simple question: has their vocal production really changed over time?

Why do K-pop groups sometimes name songs after themselves? In today’s Anatomy of a Song, I’m listening to self-titled tracks' vocal and what stands up when isolated! 

From MEOVV’s “MEOW” to Girls’ Generation’s “Girls’ Generation,” IZNA’s “IZNA,” and Say My Name’s “Say My Name,” I strip these tracks back and listen to how each group uses their own name as a branding tool, a mission statement, or even a warning shot.

Is the dominant 4th gen boy group sound starting to feel repetitive? I ask if there's still a need for it. In today’s episode, I play brief examples from ATEEZ and Stray Kids to break down where their signature styles still hit and where they might be treading familiar ground.

I also talk about the backlash CORTIS faced after their halftime show performance and why the reaction says a lot about shifting expectations for boy groups right now.

When does a signature sound become a safety net?

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I’m putting SM girl group vocals into their natural habitat: R&B. Using songs from aespa, HEARTS2HEARTS, f(x), Girls’ Generation and more, I strip the tracks back and listen to how the voices actually sit once the polish disappears.

R&B exposes everything, tone, control, phrasing, and whether the emotion is real or just well-produced. I react in real time to what SM’s vocal style really prioritises across generations.

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I’m testing something I’ve always wondered: do bigger groups actually make vocals harder to pull off?

Using songs from tripleS, NCT, IDNTT, WANNAONE and LOONA, I strip the tracks back and listen to how well the voices really blend once the production isn’t doing all the work. Large member counts can mean richer harmonies… or total chaos — and this time, one group genuinely surprised me.

Gunwook and Matthew officially join WakeOne, and I break down what this move could mean for their future, plus my musical vision for IZNA and MEOVV.

I explain why I chose the songs I did and what i'd hope to see of this year. Please remember I do not want EXACT duplicates, but something along those lines inspiration wise. 

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I’m doing a 5th-gen girl group vocal battle — but not in the way you’d expect. I strip back the production and listen to how the vocals actually hold up from NewJeans, HEARTS2HEARTS, BABYMONSTER, ILLIT, and tripleS.

I was pleasantly surprised! I think people are underestimating the newer groups.

00:00 Intro & what this episode is
00:28 NewJeans — stripped vocals
06:12 BABYMONSTER — power & soul
13:06 ILLIT — technique over power
18:20 tripleS — blend & control
22:55 HEARTS2HEARTS — energy vs restraint
30:05 Final thoughts