August 5, 2025 — Weekly Bullet Reviews
Man, is it August already? That’s insane, but summer’s not over yet! Here’s a nice mix of sweltering summer jams as things start to die down.
As always, some ground rules:
- These songs are listed in no particular order.
- Basically these blurbs are our rough first impressions of these tracks, so our reviews will be a lot more relaxed!
- Anything released from the past 3 weeks/month is eligible for a bullet review.
- Songs with new, recent music video releases will also be considered for a weekly bullet review.
Justin: It’s my first experience with Korean metal and I am not disappointed. “Player 1” is thrashing, cathartic, and in your face. It’s a song that encourages you to stop waiting and go DO THE THING THAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO DO. JUST DO IT. EMBRACE THE CRINGE. WHO THE FUCK CARES. “CRACK THE BASE, BREAK THE FRAME, TAKE THE POWER BACK!”
Li-Wei: I must still be on a Warped Tour high because ten seconds into this one I’m already headbanging. This is also the first time that I think I’ve heard a Korean harp feature so heavily on a rock track? Watch the video for this song, cause that thing looks sick. “Crack the base / Break the chain / Take the power back!” Hell yeah!!! That I can get behind.
Mya: Love the guitar solos. This is the sort of song that’s begging to be the backing track of an AMV. It quickens the blood.
C: Metal is a genre often fashioned in the image of cultural symbols close to its performers hearts; the Hu, Alien Weaponry, and BABYMETAL all come into the conversation of what metal sounds like when fused with new ideas. KARDI reforges metal with a geomungo at its spine. “Player 1” leads off with a clean, overdriven guitar before crushing you between the walls of thicker chords until Yeji’s vocals cut through the mix. Amongst it all, Daul’s thumpy geomungo drills at your subwoofers until it breaks through with Inkyu and Lean’s dueling strings. The track is supremely catchy and cements KARDI as another band to look out for in the rising tide of Korean rock.
ziproom, SamRecks – “Katsushika”
Justin: I don’t have the best ear for this, but the combo of Japanese and UK drill is smoothly blended. The cool, prickly production makes the lyrics feel like they’re dancing behind your ears and onto your neck. Must be nice to kick back to. Lean back in your car in the parking lot.
Li-Wei: I’m not super tuned in to the Japanese hip hop scene, but if they’re all like the chill, low-riding “Katsushika” I’ll be returning for more.
Mya: …Is it controversial to say this is the song I wanted “Mamushi” to be? “Whats on my mind, okane / Woke up told myself, how can I” is a clever rhyme scheme.
C: I’m enamored with UK drill’s influence on the contemporary Japanese rap scene. ziproom and SamRecks dance across a typical barebones drill beat, snaps and drips with a soft piano and saw bass. The track is seemingly produced by RUI, the mastermind behind the beat for “Dive” their most popular song to date — a change from their frequent collaborator Private Land. “Katsushika” highlights an unusual collaboration with a fun mix of vocal textures between all parties. With three out of five tracks already released as singles from their upcoming 2CITIES EP, I’m very excited for ziproom’s near future.
Phum Viphurit, 9m88 – “失眠航班 (Sleepless on the plane)”
Justin: As someone going on kind of a bunch of planes in the next two weeks, I hope I am not (Sleepless on the plane). I love Phum Viphurit’s delicate voice gliding above the track. 9m88’s light vocals, and the bossa nova transition illustrate that 60s Pan Am image over the atmosphere à la “Girl from Ipanema” but in 2025. Cutie patootie song.
Li-Wei: I’ve never considered that Phum Viphurit and 9m88 would collaborate on a song, but it makes a lot of sense! Both singers flex their R&B vocal chops here and twist their voices into beautiful harmonies that shine. The track also crosses into bossa nova a little bit for a mid-song bop before letting its listeners sink back down into the proverbial cushions of chill. I’m adding this one to my Sunday Relax playlist.
Mya: I wish flying felt like this! When I’m sleepless on a plane it’s usually because I’m miserable. Here, the misery of planes and long-distance relationships is transmuted into honeyed warmth.
C: Phum Viphurit recalls a sleepy pandemic-laden vibe that drowns me in memories of 2020. It’s definitely curious that in the last half decade we’ve had a strong revival of nostalgic neo-lounge sounds, Viphurit stands with contemporaries like Laufey and grentperez. “Sleepless on the Plane” is another cozy love song in Viphurit’s catalogue while 9m88’s lilting voice is a strong complement to the bossa nova backing.
FiFi Zhang, tomcbumpz – “Chasing the Moon”
Justin: I’m becoming a big fan of Fifi Zhang. She has great control and intuition of her voice and it fits in so well in this electronic-ballad space. Totally reminds me of a higher tempo, twinklier “Breathe” by Télépopmusik. For fans of putting on some big headphones and vibing out in your chair.
Li-Wei: “Chasing the Moon,” with its trip hop electro-heartbeat, feels like a chrome, 2000s vision of the future. Zhang’s gentle, yet invigorating, version of dance music seems comparable to Yaeji or yunè pinku… and I’d love to see them dominate a lineup together.
Mya: Like peach yakult flavored Puchao candy.
C: I’m really inspired by the new wave of artists bringing sounds from the early 2000s into vogue. FiFi Zhang’s take on classic trance is delicate, speedy high-hats and backbeat are thin and smothered while Zhang’s performance takes center stage. With little information on tomcbumpz’s past discography, I can only infer his input on the production. Zhang absolutely deserves to be leagues more popular.
haloplus+ – “Open Air Backseat”
Justin: The weeklies are loving planes. “Open Air Backseat” is an acoustic track with vocal effects somersaulting off of it including pitchdowns and adlibs. I don’t think this sound wants to be categorized. There’s so many individual instruments coming in and out. Listen if you want something on the more chaotic and explorative end.
Li-Wei: I recently saw a meme about how some pretentious hipsters’ favorite genre of music was esoteric pop music from Copenhagen (yes, the meme is that specific), and honestly I can see why. Haloplus+ is part of that group (in fact, almost everything that Escho releases is part of it) and “Open Air Bracket” is kind of unlike anything I’ve really heard before – mixing hip-hop-influenced too cool for you swagoo, acoustic guitar strums, slightly out of tune singing, and almost off-the-cuff samples into a fascinating pop song. On paper it doesn’t seem like it would work, but something special is happening here. I’m obsessed.
Mya: Delightfully off-kilter, down to the use of “what what what what” as a beat. Feels like a cartoon where the protagonists travel around in a flying convertible.
C: At first, listening to “Open Air Backseat” I expected to work through a somewhat standard acoustic ballad. Instead, the efforts of haloplus+ culminate in an eclectic and spontaneous tune that sounds like something that would emerge from a home studio in the depths of a 4am session. Mixing downpitched vocal snippets, record scratches and sounds that wouldn’t be out of place in an Aphex Twin track, the sounds included defy expectation. I find that many songs like this are difficult to audibly distinguish or categorize but their emotional visions ring clear, “Open Air Backseat” reigns itself in with group chants as a declaration of freedom and community.
Nat Myers – “Is What It Is (the tonk take)”
Justin: Ten seconds in and I knew this was going to be my track of the week. Nat Myers’ low swinging voice on “Is What It Is” gives some of the most country country country tracks I’ve heard sent to the site. Toe tapping, hip swinging, harmonica buzzing, up and down two step bass, and a ticklish guitar gets you on the creaky cowboy booted floor. Lovely and well worn. Dying to hear this played live.
Li-Wei: This is not a new Nat Myers song, but this version of it is! I can’t help but compare this country blues tune to the soundtrack of the very popular Coogler film, Sinners. You know that scene where time breaks down in the bar and all of those different musical eras converge into the present? “Is What It Is (the tonk take)” is one of those songs that does that for me.
Mya: I do love a blues ditty… The titular, “is what it is” repeats over and over, like a scratch on a well-worn record. It goes from a repetitive phrase to something wearier and worn down. I had a favorite mug with “it is what it is” printed on the side. I used it over and over. Eventually, it wore out and cracked. This song feels like that mug.
C: I’m very out of my depth in country and blues but deciding to give Nat Myers a try was a low-stakes gamble that absolutely paid off. Hearing the depths of his work in “Yellow Peril” and “Pray for Rain” has given me a new appreciation for the genre. “Is What It Is” forms a stark contrast when put next to “Yellow Peril”, it defers emotional writhing and skips to post-grief acceptance — whether the outcome is just or not. Slow and swingy, I can’t say I know how to dance to it but I’m sure there is one.
Ivoris – “TEN THOUSAND TEARDROPS”
Justin: Ivoris been a rising star on FTI. With “TEN THOUSAND TEARDROPS”, we get a glassy, nursery rhyme dewed over with hopeful connection. Great waking up to the sunrise type sentiments. Short, sweet, but makes a great impression. “Hush, now, it’s time.” So cuteeeee <3
Li-Wei: Ivoris is kind of in her wistful blue pop era, which is a bit removed from the acoustic trimmings that adorned her music in the past. “TEN THOUSAND TEARDROPS” is a bit of spacey, dewy pop that sounds best when you’re looking at the ocean with wind in your hair. Let the waves wash over you.
Mya: The lyrics of “TEN THOUSAND TEARDROPS” has a kind of seafoam, shoujo sensibility. “I’m ok, if I really try. Yes, I can feign having a good time.” Reminds me of Fruits Basket.
Justin: Dreamy ¾ rolling on the waves reminiscent of 50s and 60s American rock love songs. “Please Take My Hand” is a classically nostalgic sound that evokes simple time suburbs, frocks, pressed suits and taxi dance halls. Nailed the sound, but doesn’t totally catch my interest.
Li-Wei: Korean rock band HOA have been in the news recently for their throwback tunes that invoke the British pop music scenes of the 60s and 70s. I hear it! “Please Take My Hand” is a lovely, swaying jukebox joint that would definitely not feel out of place next to your dusty Beatles records.
Mya: I’d love to ride my (nonexistent) bike down Marvin Braude Bike Trail with “Please Take My Hand” in my ears.
C: Deadly nostalgic, I can feel the slick texture of polished Danelectro lipstick pickups on the track. Leisurely swaying, “Please Take My Hand” is the kind of song that plays over a montage of slow dances. I’m amazed at the way foreign bands take on pastiches of americana and routinely succeed. The slight hint of strings way back in the mix adds some romantic magic to a form of love song far out of date.
Justin: A fun 2010s infused R&B pop song that reminds me of early Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift on “Bad Blood”. I don’t really miss this sound yet but I see the potential.
Li-Wei: This is the first time I’m hearing of Venice Qin and if you’re a fan of alt-pop with clean production, you’ll like this one! I wish there was a bit more of a rise and fall in “OVERDOSE,” but it’s a showcase that’s teeming with big breakthrough potential.
Mya: I want a darker, stranger story from a song titled, “OVERDOSE”. It’s too light a touch.
Justin: “HEAT” is a sweltering, electronic track that I’m super into. Reminds me of Wet and Empress Of. Stuff that you would have discovered on the Majestic Casual playlists playing at H&M or Forever 21. Big, bold, confident, and grooveable. It’s got the sauce.
Li-Wei: I’ve been seeing a lot of articles recently about how there’s no real consensus about what the song of the summer is this year. Ashley Mehta’s “HEAT” is a pool-party pop anthem that’s practically made for the summer heat – maybe those doubters should be listening to this one!
Header photo taken from FiFi Zhang – “Chasing the Moon”.
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