Horror Song of the Day: Monster (by Irene & Seulgi)

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Arleigh

“Monster” by Irene & Seulgi (sub-unit of the K-pop girl group Red Velvet) dives into a dark and captivating space, blending eerie visuals with a sound that really sticks with you. The music video channels the vibe of classic sapphic vampire films, especially those atmospheric, haunting works by Jean Rollin. Irene takes on the role of a succubus-like figure, this hypnotic presence who seems to dominate Seulgi both visually and emotionally. Their movements, cold doll-like expressions, and the green light symbolizing possession all come together to paint a picture of seduction as a form of power struggle, where desire and control are beautifully intertwined.

Sonically, the song pushes boundaries with a mix of dark pop, industrial beats, and dubstep textures. The production is sharp, with synths that cut through like shadows and a bassline that grabs hold and won’t let go. Irene and Seulgi’s vocals glide between whispery softness and fierce intensity, capturing the delicate balance of temptation and danger that drives the song’s energy. The repetitive hook has a spell-like quality, reinforcing the feeling of being caught by this irresistible “monster.”

What really makes “Monster” stand out is how the song and video come together to create a seamless fusion of horror and sensuality. This isn’t just spooky imagery matched with a dark sound—it’s a fully immersive experience that captures the intoxicating mix of fear and desire. The supernatural themes of possession and seduction fit perfectly with the song’s hypnotic beats and evocative vocal delivery. “Monster” tells a story framed in shadows and light, a stylish journey where eroticism and horror enhance each other, pulling the listener deeper into its mesmerizing hold.

Monster

My move is unique
Not ordinary
1 2 5 to 7
I’m a dancer in the darkness
I’ll crack every joint in my body
And come close to your bed
I’ll horribly steal your heart
And dominate you

Under a single lighting, why are there two shadows?
I guess something else woke up inside me
I’m a little monster, be scared of me
I’m bothering you making you dream only about me
I’ll dance and play as I cast a spell
On your body in a nightmare
I’m a little monster
I’m a little monster

I rose from
The ashes in the cold ground
From dusk to dawn
I still exist
I don’t hate this madness
I’m having fun
You can’t get out
Don’t run away, you’ll get hurt
I save you and tease you again
Oh I’m perfect and messed up again

I’m a little monster, be scared of me
I’m bothering you making you dream only about me
I’ll dance and play as I cast a spell
On your body in a nightmare
I’m a little monster
I’m a little monster

See, I’m just playing
No bad intentions
I’m small but dangerous
Who would refuse me?
It’s time for the red sun to rise at dawn
Now that you are relieved
You try to come out of the dream
But monster lives forever

Song of the Day: Ice Cream Cake (by Red Velvet)

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Arleigh

Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake

For the most part all the K-pop I’ve shared have been on the more mature sounding side of the spectrum. As I mentioned before, for some this side of K-pop is more to their liking while others prefer the more cute and bouncy side of the genre.

Pantsukudasai56 has made it known that he is into K-pop and, for the most part, also J-pop (though from what I could gather it’s more the latter than the former). I can see why he’s more drawn to the cute and bouncy side of K-pop since J-pop has made that type of pop a cottage industry in Japan’s music scene.

So, just to show that K-pop is not just what I enjoy listening to, but what others have come to find entertaining and interesting, I give you Red Velvet’s “Ice Cream Cake” from the mini-album of the same name which came out right after their first debut singles, “Happiness” and “Be Natural.”

The song is a far cry from the R&B and jazzy sound of “Be Natural” but instead has a blend of drum and bass and dance pop that’s the staple of what non-fans think K-pop sound is all about. While the song does have that cute and bouncy sound, not to mention a video with visuals to match it, there’s also a subtle discordant layer to the proceedings. Whether it’s the group doing a haunting harmony that helps start off the song and returns throughout the song right up to some discordant chords.

Even the lyrics of the song could be mistaken for just your typical K-pop song about young love, or as some have mistaken just about ice cream cake. Yet, at further listening and understanding of the song’s translated lyrics there’s more than a hint and level of double entendre and innuendoes to the song’s wordplay.

So, for those who like their K-pop visually popping and bouncy with the vocals to match then Red Velvet’s “Ice Cream Cake” is a nice starter.

27 Days of Old School: #3 “Tell It to My Heart” (by Taylor Dayne)

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Arleigh

“Is this really love or just a game?”

This question was brought up by a song which debut during my freshman year in high school. That song was Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It to My Heart”. A question that probably still perplexes teens today as it did over twenty years ago.

Dayne was part of the freestyle and dance pop wave that was hitting the U.S. during the mid-80’s. Their songs was easy to digest, made one’s feet start a-tappin’ and one couldn’t help but want to go out and start dancing. Well, I wasn’t one of them but I still love this song. Dancing was the sort of activity that I wasn’t so keen on during my first two years in high school. Hell, it’s still not something I go out of my way to do, but I’m not as gun shy when at an event where dancing is a possibility.

I think what attracted me to this song was the video itself. Taylor Dayne made for a fine figure of a woman and she definitely came off a quite fierce in this song’s video. It might be due to the huge hair plus the bangs crimped up, but this video and Dayne still works even two decades removed from seeing it for the first time.

Though I will say that the acid-wash jeans jacket and pants her back-up dancers wear don’t quite make the cut. I’m so glad I never owned a pair even when they were “popular” back in the day.

27 Days of Old School: #1 “Billie Jean” (by Michael Jackson)

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Arleigh

Lisa Marie has been doing such a great job with her featured theme sets that I think it’s time I tried my hand in doing one.

I’ve been doing themed features but never one that would go day-to-day towards a set goal. I think the easiest one for me to start on would be 27 Days of Old School. When I say “old school” I mean as in jams. These were songs from my youth right up to the mid-90’s. Most on this list tend to be from the 80’s with a few bleeding into the 90’s, but in the end they were songs I grew up listening to. Some will range from straight up R&B to pop to dance and right up to heavy metal.

To start things off what better way to begin and have the number 1 label than what I consider Michael Jackson’s greatest song (and my favorite of his many tracks): 1982’s “Billie Jean” from his second solo album Thriller.

“Billie Jean” is such a great song. Even if one didn’t understand what he was singing about there’s no denying the fact that this song had one of the greatest bass lines running from start to finish. David Williams’ bass line that’s became recognizable to fans of this song both new and old. Whether one was a fan of Michael Jackson or not they know this bass line.

Song of the Day: Abracadabra (by Brown Eyed Girls)

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Arleigh

The latest “Song of the Day” comes way out from left field. I’ve posted many metal of different types, hard rock, blues, classical, film scores and even some video game scores, but I still haven’t moved into the realm of pop music from Asia. To start things off I decided on a very catchy tune from a Korean all-girl K-Pop group: Brown Eyed Girls.

Their song “Abracadabra” is a megahit with the otaku crowd and those who follow Asian pop music. I came across the song through a video that was recommended by Youtube to me. I have no idea how that happened but after watching the video I was quite thankful that it did.

I have no idea what the ladies are singing about other than what I’ve read on-line. The song is about blind love and the danger that comes with it. Sounds like a song tailor made for those of the yandere stripe. What I do know is that the group (comprised of Ga-In, Narsha, JeA and Miryo) and this song with its unique brand of hip dancing actually one of the more popular videos on-line. I guarantee that listening, or watching this video, will get it hooks into people and get them to subconsciously do the very hip dance even while sitting down.