JACOB’s debut album is independently released and self-created. In a new interview, he reflects on why it was important to have creative control and why he refuses to limit himself.

Profiles in Music

How HEART OF WOMAN Scored a Huge Debut

The girl group debuted in May in a highly unusual way: with a full album. Now, the members recount their road to debut and why their success still surprises them.

Profiles in Music

The singer returns with an EP geared towards summer and a sizzling set at WATERBOMB. But 15 years into his career, he’s more determined than ever to be the best at his craft.

Listening Booth

On Rated R, from20 Leans Into the Gossip

‘Rated R’, the singer’s newest album, follows his breakthrough single “Eye Candy”, and is filled with scandalous disclosures.

Profiles in Music

EJEAN’s Balancing Act

Ahead of a headlining tour, the musician reflects on how letting go of shame and charting their own path led to their debut EP, Meant Love.

In-depth profiles about leading independent Asian musicians.

the roookies

A person with dark hair is performing on stage, holding a microphone and wearing a guitar strap across their shoulder. The image has a motion blur effect with streaks of red and purple light against a black background.

Minh Is Just Beginning to Find His Potential

For the past four months, Minh’s music has made gains on streaming services. In his first interview, he reflects on his new EP’s momentum and why he became a self-made musician.

Four young adults standing together outdoors with a scenic hilly landscape in the background, dressed casually.

Meet West of Eden, A Giant Group Much Larger Than It’s Four Artists

The Seattle-based group succeeds because of their strong friendship and an extremely creative team of designers, producers, videographers, photographers and artists.

Young woman with long black hair wearing a white tank top and jewelry, leaning against a pastel blue window with textured glass panels.

Yel Is Turning Her Best Memories Into Works of Art

The California-based singer-songwriter makes dreamy, romantic music that is becoming a smash hit on streaming services.

Profiles in Music

SIHYEON’s Hidden Charms

In her first solo interview, SIHYEON reflects on CSR’s first comeback in two years and why she wants to share a new side of herself with fans this year.

Profiles in Music

With “Stagefright”, 8TURN Make a Sharp Turn

8TURN has staged an artistic evolution since the release of “ELECTRIC HEART” last summer. Now, for the first time, the members reflect on why this change feels so natural and so important to their growth.

Hikaru Utada’s Science Fiction retrospective,

reviewed.

Young woman with long, curly hair standing in front of a gray textured background, wearing a white oversized shirt and blue jeans with her eyes closed and hands in her pockets.

Profiles in Music

After more than 25 years in the industry, Crystal Kay is regarded as a pioneer of J-R&B and J-Pop. Now, about to embark on her first North American tour, she is just beginning to grapple with the meaning of her legacy.

Essays from the frontlines of K-Pop and beyond.

critically speaking

A woman with short blonde hair looking down, sitting outdoors near a pool with empty bleachers in the background, during sunset.

From Rain to Kai, San and from20: How Male Sexuality Has Evolved in K-Pop

A new generation of male idols are embracing a fluid view of sexuality. It’s a major course correction from years’ past.

A group of young men taking a selfie on stage, some wearing animal-themed accessories, making peace signs, and smiling.

A Bittersweet Farewell to ZEROBASEONE

From Seoul, the popular boy group hold a final encore concert and say goodbye as the group splits in half.

Young woman with long dark hair wearing a yellow sweatshirt, smiling, and holding up a peace sign in front of a mirror.

BoA in Japan: Soft Powers and Teenage Dreams

In 2001, BoA was the first of her kind: a K-Pop star landing number one’s in Japan. Her success transformed K-Pop into a global super power.

Essential reading from the API music scene

and all the rest….

POW Believes Tenderness Is Your Strength
Michael H Michael H

POW Believes Tenderness Is Your Strength

In a new interview, the members reflect on why their new EP Being Tender is such a powerful statement for a boy group to make. “Many men think showing tenderness means showing weakness,” the group’s leader Yorch says, “but I want to say that being tender doesn’t equal being weak.”

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With ‘NOW Project’, MONSTA X Comes Full Circle 
Michael H Michael H

With ‘NOW Project’, MONSTA X Comes Full Circle 

To celebrate their tenth anniversary, the group released a digital album with re-recordings of music made while their leader SHOWNU enlisted in the military. The new music shows how transgressive MONSTA X has become since debut.

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Lyle Kam’s Catharsis Chasing Recollections
Michael H Michael H

Lyle Kam’s Catharsis Chasing Recollections

After six years of releasing music, Kam wondered how he could outdo himself. The result is a new EP, out next week, titled re:collections. “Every song could be a single,” he says in this interview.

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