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

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I’m putting Kiiikiii’s “404 (New Era)” and HEARTS2HEARTS’ “Focus” head to head — two high-energy dance tracks that do something interesting by keeping the vocals surprisingly laid-back.

I strip both songs back and listen to how that contrast works (or doesn’t): pounding rhythms, club-ready energy, but vocals that stay cool, restrained, and almost nonchalant. I react in real time to which moments feel intentional, which feel undercooked, and how each group balances performance music with actual vocal presence.

A lot happened this week, so let’s get into it. I talk about KATSEYE’s Grammy performance, my thoughts on why people are slating it, are they hard on these girls for no reason? As well Kiiikiii’s disappointing sales.

The main event though is I-DLE. I walk through their discography and really unpack where things started to feel overly kitsch, hook-dependent, and gimmicky after Queencard. We talk about how losing Soojin changed their trajectory, how it helped them blow up commercially, but also left their artistry feeling a little lost for a while.

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I’m putting RIIZE’s “Honestly” up against LNGSHOT’s “Facetime”, a perfect case of a rookie group that immediately gets it versus a post-rookie group that’s clearly growing into themselves.

I strip both songs back and listen to what’s really carrying them: the melodies, the vocal choices, the pacing, and that smooth R&B influence both tracks are flirting with in very different ways. One feels effortless and locked in from the jump, the other feels like a group starting to understand who they are and where their sound actually shines.

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I’m putting two very powerful 4th-gen sister songs head to head, NMIXX’s “Know About Me” and aespa’s “Armageddon.” Same generation, similar energy and I had to hear them stripped back.

I pull both tracks apart, listen to the bones, and react in real time to what actually carries the attitude: the vocals, the tension, the drama, and the little production choices that make these songs feel so bold. 

Get in to it! 

Featuring thoughts on Eunwoo’s fraud case, LNGSHOT’s Woojin and his weird love for Tory lanez, YUCK, and why HYBE’s current direction isn’t serving ENHYPEN at all.

My concept album can also be found on my channel kpophottakes! 

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, I’m spending time with two of my favourite dreamy B-sides of 2025: RESCENE’s “Crash” and KIIIKIII’s “Strawberry Cheesecake.”

We strip both tracks back and listen to their textures, melodies, and atmospheres, reacting to the small details that make them feel so hazy, soft, and emotionally immersive. From the floaty production to the delicate vocal choices, this episode is less about critique and more about appreciating why these songs linger long after they end.

In this episode of Anatomy of a Song, we strip both tracks right back and listen to what’s really going on underneath. By isolating elements and hearing parts exposed, I react in real time to ALPHADRIVEONE’s “Freak Alarm” and ZEROBASEONE’s “In Bloom” what holds up, what surprises me, and what changes once the production layers are peeled away.

This isn’t about heavy theory or rankings; it’s about how these songs feel when you hear their bones, how vocals and melodies carry emotion without the polish, and what that reveals about each group’s sound and direction. A more intuitive, listening-led look at two very different 5th-gen boy group tracks.

2026 has barely started and K-pop is already doing A LOT. In today’s episode, I break down the wave of massive comeback announcements from Blackpink, EXO, and BTS, what each group’s return could mean for the industry, and the early predictions shaping the year.

Then we shift gears to talk about Annie Moon’s surprising decision to take a break from ADP to study at Columbia University, why it’s sparked debate, what it means for a rookie group’s momentum, and whether this could (or should) become more normal for idols.

Many have speculated about these songs and their similarities, me included! Now it's time to look into the stems and see what IS similar, different and also why I Am's influence can be found in the brilliance of Golden. 

We’ll look at structure, production choices, vocal delivery, key changes, and the emotional intent behind both tracks. If you’ve ever wondered why your ear hears echoes between these songs, this breakdown will finally make everything click.