Singer Yena returned with an addictive new song backed by a glamorous lineup of featured artists.
Yena held a press conference to commemorate the release of her fifth mini-album, LOVE CATCHER, at CGV Apgujeong in Gangnam District, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 11th and talked about the new album.
About eight months after released her fourth mini-album, Blooming Wings, in July last year, Yena, who announced her comeback, said, "Eight months felt so long that I waited so long for this moment. I have released many solo albums, but because this is another occasion to introduce a new album, I feel excited."
Yena's new release, LOVE CATCHER, is an album that expresses moments of love that arrive like a spring breeze in a range of emotions and colors. Yena conveyed that she will more vividly show the musical color of "Yena core" by embedding her own kitschy sensibility and honest stories.
The title track "Catch Catch" is a song that cheerfully captures the tension of a cat-and-mouse relationship over electro-pop sounds. Yena's signature bubbly energy and an addictive melody depict the push and pull of love through Yena's unique charm.
Regarding the title track "Catch Catch," Yena explained, "You can see a matured and mischievous charm with an addictive melody and my bubbly appeal."
She added, "These days it's WBC baseball season. Since my song is 'Catch Catch,' I hope people listen to my song and get energized then. I hope it helps you get to first place. I hope you catch every ball," she said.
In particular, this album drew attention for its dazzling lineup of featured artists. All-round entertainer DinDin and Jeong Hyung Don, MRCH, who is gaining attention in the indie scene, and emotional craftsman Paul Kim participated not only in vocals but also in songwriting to raise the album's completeness, and the track "Cat of April" had lyrics co-written by singer-songwriter HANRORO, who is being noted as a Z-generation rock star.
Yena said of working with DinDin and Jeong Hyung Don, who participated in "Because it's spring (Feat. DinDin, Jeong Hyung Don)," "They brought out the flavor so well that the song came out more successful. Uncle Jeong Hyung Don was a member of the variety show I first appeared on after debut. We stayed in touch occasionally. DinDin and I actually met for the first time. But I thought he would fit the song so well, so I asked an acquaintance to reach out."
She continued, "Uncle Hyung Don came to the studio and worked directly. He brought the lyrics and wrote them that day. But the lyrics came out so cool. I thought that's why senior G-Dragon fell for it. I was just amazed watching because it was so cool. In the album before last, uncle Park Myung Soo appeared in the music video, so I wondered if I might be one of the successful kids from Infinite Challenge's kids segment." she expressed her gratitude.
About HANRORO, who took part in writing the lyrics for "Cat of April," she said, "I think it might be close to my favorite song. At first, when I read the lyrics I thought they felt sad, but when I sang them I became emotionally involved and cried. I sang it with gratitude thinking that HANRORO's lyrics have something that touches the heart."
She added about working with Paul Kim, "I had only heard him on playlists and never had the chance to see him live. I went to Paul Kim's studio and heard the first phrase, and my whole body melted. While working on the album I felt so grateful. It was a thankful and happy feeling to be able to work with artists who were originally my favorites and to create something together."
When asked which artist she would like to work with on her next album, she said, "I dreamed that it would be great to work with senior Yu Jae-seok. If we did a duet together, how beautiful a picture that would be—I think it would really be a blessing."
Also, amid a new-song challenge that has become a big topic on social media even before the comeback, Yena said she referenced many second-generation idols while preparing the new song, "I learned by referring to fancams of senior T-ara and videos of senior Orange Caramel. I shot Reels with T-ara's Eun-jung senior and Qri senior."
She went on, "I wanted to show a song that could be a memory for some and a novelty for others in my own way. Even before the song was released many challenges were already being posted. I thought many people were taking interest. Riding this energy, my goal is to have more than 5,000 challenges—I hope many people participate."
Meanwhile, Yena's fifth mini-album, LOVE CATCHER, will be released through various music sites at 6 p.m. that day.
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