Music Reviews

Samuel Seo - UNITY II (album cover)

Samuel Seo “Creates” Neo Soul in South Korea with UNITY II

I wanted this to be a short-ish review. None of the purple dramatics I tend to engage in when talking about music that really impacts me. But Samuel Seo’s latest release deserves the time to dissect. The second in his UNITY series, UNITY II sees Seo crafting and molding a genre he’s connected with into something viable in the landscape of South Korean music. He has quite literally “created” the neo-soul genre in South Korea

Man1ac - More Than Ever (MV screenshot)

“More than ever” by Man1ac Forces Us to Make a Choice

All quarantine ain’t created equal. For those trapped in an abusive situation, this self-isolation is hell. What’s more, so few people are actually talking about it that when someone mentions it everyone takes a collective gasp. That almost goes double for women living in South Korea. Keeping quiet because that’s what’s expected. Any attempt to speak up can be met with a societal fist to the face more biting than that of their tormentor. “More than ever,” Man1ac’s collaboration with Ann One and Basick, is both timely and shocking because of just how rare it is.

Woo - USED TO (cover art)

“USED TO” Reveals Woo Wonjae’s Truth (and Possibly More)

Rapper Wonjae Woo, now known as simply Woo, has a reputation as one of Korea’s most unapologetic rappers. He speaks his truth regardless of what people think. His music always has a sort of eerie slant to it. His latest single “USED TO” is no exception. In it he reveals the truth about his past and flings it back in the faces of his detractors. Naysayers and gossipers who don’t care about how he got where he is now.

After Hours - What Are We Doing (album cover)

After Hours Is Ready for a Brawl on “What Are We Doing” LP

After Hours is a very interesting collective. The overall color and style of each MC doesn’t really differ that greatly. Each rapper seems prime for a fight. Ready to scrap at the first hint of someone showing them or their circle disrespect. “What Are We Doing” is an album from a group itching for a brawl. The kind of piss and vinegar on display at certain points of this album is actually breathtaking.

PhreDdy M. - WILD (cover art)

PhreDdy M. & Mckdaddy Bring Anthemic Nostalgia with “WILD”

When I first heard there was a Korean hip-hop group going by the name LOS LOKOS, using Mexican imagery, I was hesitant. Of course, this was before I realized a member of the group is, in fact, from Mexico. The knowledge that an integral part of their existence is their producer and beatmaker, PhreDdy M., softens the side-eye. It also helps that PhreDdy M. makes use of musical elements from his culture to add some genuine dimension. Elements not often seen in mainstream Korean hip hop.

Samuel Seo - D I A L (album cover)

D I A L Brings Samuel Seo Closer to His True Artistry

At this point you must be sick of me saying it. But I can’t help myself. Samuel Seo does NOT make bad albums. Every time he releases something it just reinforces my claims. His most recent EP, D I A L, taps into something earthier in the artist. While The Misfit was mostly bright, this five-song album is drenched in darker hues. Every bit of it’s just swimming in the earth tones of classic neo-soul.