Jeon Somi has returned with new music after about two years. Announcing his transformation as a mature artist, he candidly captured the growth, inner turmoil, and musical challenges during his hiatus.
Jeon Somi recently held a commemorative interview for the release of his second EP 'Chaotic & Confused' at a cafe in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and discussed his new album.
Returning with a new album after about two years since the EP album 'GAME PLAN' was announced in August 2023, Jeon Somi revealed a new charm with a matured image that differs from the lively high-teen persona he had previously shown. Having signaled the start of change with the pre-released track 'EXTRA', Jeon Somi shared his honest story under the major theme of confusion and chaos.
Regarding his long hiatus, Jeon Somi noted, "Now that I am prepared, I found a reason to come back. Usually, I do have gaps, but I have never really rested during them; I have always been in the process of self-improvement. Since I am also an ENFP and am heavily influenced by those around me, learning and growing through the people around me has been significant. Periods during that hiatus were also times when I was becoming an adult personally. Therefore, while preparing the songs, I reached a point where I thought the album was complete, which led to my comeback. I think this will continue in the future. If I have something I want to say and have felt something, I will prepare for it, and then that will be the time for my comeback."
Jeon Somi's new album 'Chaotic & Confused' encapsulates various chaotic situations surrounding him, as well as the struggles and inner conflicts he faces as an artist. The story about discovering himself in intense agony and the beauty associated with it marks a milestone declaring his growth as an artist who embraces musical challenges and changes.
Jeon Somi explained about this album, "It is an album that reflects my chaotic and confusing period. I create albums in a natural atmosphere when working. It isn't about preparing for a comeback with a set plan; rather, I select songs that I can express best at that moment. There was indeed a chaotic period for me. Since each song has a vastly different concept and genre, it felt strange for them to come together in one album. However, at the same time, all the things I could manage well during that time were these various styles, so I thought this was a truly authentic album, and thus I included all genres under this one title. You could say that it contains all of my chaotic times."
When asked what was so confusing, he replied, "I have already been in this for 10 years, but I am still young, and being a solo artist adds pressure to constantly present something new. There is a particularly strong pressure for solos to be fresh. I was caught in that dilemma, wondering how far I could showcase myself. As I age, I've gained experience, and I have matured while listening to the advice of the adults around me, which seems to have contributed to some confusion. Therefore, you might notice a maturity in this album."
The title track 'CLOSER' is a song created in a Stutter house style, sampling Sean Kingston's 'Beautiful Girls'. It enhances the immersion of the song with a sensual mood contrasted with intense energy and a rising atmosphere, singing of beauty through grand and sophisticated sounds.
Regarding the title track, Jeon Somi said, "This is the song that was completed last in my album. Many fans liked 'Fast Forward.' However, I wanted to announce my desired direction and mature atmosphere with the track 'EXTRA.' 'CLOSER' has elements of dance performance that fans enjoyed, but genre-wise, it takes a step further. Since it is based on authentic house music, I wanted to show a more matured aspect that connects with 'EXTRA.'"
About sampling Sean Kingston's 'Beautiful Girls,' he added, "This time, I was very certain. Throughout the album, I had a clear vision, so much so that the music video idea came to me as I listened to the song. I changed the lyrics to focus on a more confident woman with that melody. I think it captures the current zeitgeist and what I want to convey, so I was very pleased with it."
When asked about the goals for this activity, Jeon Somi honestly mentioned, "During such a confusing time when I was only thinking about myself, the album itself was very much about my satisfaction and releasing my emotions, so curiously, I didn't have a distinct goal this time. Previously, I often thought I wanted many people to listen to it and recognize me, but this time, for the first time, I created an album and music video mainly for my own satisfaction."
Lastly, he stated, "Looking at the fans, I feel that with the teaser out, they seem excited wondering what I have prepared that is different from what we know about Somi. I also indicated to the fans that when this song comes out, they might feel a wall between us, and think that our Somi has become cooler. From 'EXTRA,' it seems they are starting to wonder if I've matured with a different style, but once the album is released, I think there will be more ideas as to the direction I want to pursue as a singer, and how far I can express myself."
[Photo] The Black Label
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