'Summer queen' Red Velvet is making a glamorous return with a new summer mini album.
Red Velvet will release all tracks from the new mini album Velvet Summer at 6 p.m. today (the 3rd) on various global music platforms.
This album consists of five tracks that capture Red Velvet's signature soft and diverse summer sensibility. The title track 'Surfin' Boy' is a dance song that highlights refreshing sounds and the members' dreamy vocal harmonies, heralding the birth of a new "summer velvet song." In particular, member Joy participated as the sole lyricist, recalling the hottest summers and conveying an emotional message to create once more brilliant memories, which enhanced the song's appeal.
Ahead of the new release, Red Velvet once again proved their powerful ticket power and solid global popularity. They concluded the fan concert held at Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul from July 31 to Aug. 2 over three days with all seats sold out. At this show, they premiered performances of the title track 'Surfin' Boy' and the album track 'Hula Hoop,' drawing explosive responses from fans in attendance.
At the fan concert, they also captivated the audience with a rich set list that included past mega hits such as 'Dumb Dumb,' 'Bad boy' and 'Psycho,' as well as newly performed songs like 'Bulldozer' and 'Blue Lemonade.' Above all, at the concert on the 1st, which was their 12th debut anniversary, they completed a meaningful moment by blowing out the candles on a celebration cake with fans, signaling the green light for full-scale comeback activities.
The following is Red Velvet's Q&A.
Q. This is a comeback about 2 years and 2 months after Cosmic in June 2024. How does it feel to release a full-group album after such a long time?
- Irene: I'm so grateful to our ReVeluvs (the fandom name) who waited for more than two years. It's so nice to be together again—the noisy practice room and everything is just great.
- Seulgi: I'm very excited to show Red Velvet's music again after a long time. Since we gathered after our individual solo activities, each of our abilities seems to have grown a lot, and we worked hoping that our maturity would be well reflected in the album, so I hope you look forward to it.
- Wendy: I was really excited preparing an album as a full group again after a long time. I wanted to repay the time you waited with good music and performances, and I hope you enjoy Velvet Summer.
- Joy: Now that we have met again, I have a greater desire than ever to engrave good memories and recollections deeply. Hearing the members' voices blend together again after a long time was touching and overwhelming. We prepared with a lot of tender and affectionate feelings, so I hope this album becomes meaningful to everyone who listens.
- Yeri: First of all, I want to say thank you to the ReVeluvs who waited for such a long time. I missed the time when the five of us prepared together, and I hope this album becomes music like a gift to help you spend the hot summer coolly as much as you waited. I hope our feelings are well conveyed to ReVeluvs, and I want to enjoy this promotion together.
Q. Many music fans have high expectations for Red Velvet's summer comeback. What kind of summer did you try to capture in Velvet Summer?
- Wendy: Summer has hot and lively moments, but there are also days when you want to do nothing and spend time leisurely. The album Velvet Summer and the title track 'Surfin' Boy' capture that languid, mature summer sensibility, and within it we wanted to naturally show Red Velvet's various musical colors.
Q. What did you think when you first heard the title track? How do you think it differs from previous Red Velvet summer songs?
- Seulgi: As soon as I heard the title track demo, I felt like I could hear Red Velvet's voices. I was confident that we could perform this song better than anyone else, and I liked the refreshing melody. I especially found the bossa nova genre appealing. Many of Red Velvet's past summer moods were expressed as intense and energetic songs, but fitting the album title, we captured a more velvety summer mood. It feels like watching a sunset beach rather than the hot midday summer.
Q. Joy wrote the title track's lyrics by herself. How does that feel?
- Joy: Personally, I was able to express what I wanted to convey to Red Velvet and the fans well while writing the lyrics for this title track. I wanted to convey that when we meet again, we can create more beautiful and wonderful memories than before, and I hope my sincerity in cherishing and loving Red Velvet and ReVeluvs reached the fans. Also, when Seulgi unnie heard that my lyrics were chosen, she sent a complimentary message saying I had put a lot of thought into pronunciation that would be comfortable for singing and that I wrote it well, which made me so happy I almost cried.
Q. The teaser image response has been hot as well. You filmed teaser images and the music video together for the first time in a while; if there are any memorable episodes, please tell us.
- Irene: We filmed in Jeju Island and it rained. The mermaid costume should have been filmed when it wasn't raining, but it kept raining, so I had to rush back to the lodging to retrieve luggage we left there. I vividly remember running into the lodging wearing mermaid ears without having removed hair and makeup. (laughs)
Q. Aside from the title track, which album track do you feel most attached to?
- Yeri: 'Hula Hoop.' It's such an appealing song with a refreshing atmosphere that evokes summer the moment you hear it. The recording made me feel good because it's full of cool energy, and I thought it would be especially suited for ReVeluvs to listen to while driving or traveling in the hot summer.
Q. Please say a word to the fans who waited for your comeback.
- Irene: I know it isn't a given that you wait for us, so I'm truly, truly grateful. Let's make many happy memories together.
- Seulgi: ReVeluvs, have you been well? The members all prepared the album with excited hearts thinking of ReVeluvs more than ever. I hope our feelings are conveyed. Thank you for waiting for and wanting to see Red Velvet. I hope you spend the hot summer coolly with this album.
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