April is over! I hope you had a good if not great month. If it could have been better, maybe some music will cheer you up (though I usually have quite a depressing music taste, so apologies if it makes it worse, though a good cry usually helps?).
Let’s take a look at the Korean Indie releases of April!
Week 1
2Z, the Korean pop-rock band came out with a full-length album ‘ACT1’. I can’t tell you how obsessed I am with the opening song ‘ACT 1’. The instrumentation goes so hard, then the rap verse gets thrown in and gets mixed with the snappy electric guitar. I’m sold and it didn’t even take two minutes.
Her Chan Hoe released the mini-album ‘Monologue’. In his album description he wrote “There are people who inevitably live with an awkward smile in a world of strange cogs, and cries for emptiness and loneliness in the album.” It’s an interesting concept. The title track ‘Olympics for the same reason’ is rather haunting and has an intriguing mix with the vocals and piano.
Her Chan Hoe is one of the members of the band Heen. This is his first solo release.
9z is another new discovery. He released the album ‘Romance’ and it is filled with soft R&B songs that just makes the entire album an incredibly easy listen. It’s ideal for long drives or long walks where you can just let it play and ride the wave, you know. The guitar in ‘Oneday’ is superb!! I’m obsessed with ‘Lover’ as well.
Chimney Bird is so underrated it hurts me. This indie R&B singer debuted in 2020 and her rich timbre has an enchanting effect. This new single ‘Rainy Day’ is stunning and I’m in love with the use of acoustic guitar, the whistling and the actual rain added in the instrumentation.
Week 2
TAAN came out with the single ‘Forever’ and I love his raspy voice. This is such a lovely indie folk song. It lingers on a more bluesy vibe as well. Honestly it’s awesome and you should just listen to it.
Instagram / Spotify
The new EP ‘Us’ by Choi Yuree is utterly adorable. It’s the kind of happy indie pop that I would have been obsessed with when I was young. Her warm timbre is lovely and the entire mixing feels so well done. ‘Still’ even has some brass in it, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Eunoia dropped her new EP ‘Run into you’ and her vocals remind me of JAMIE if she would do Korean indie music. So I’ve been a bit obsessed. The guitar solo in the title track is smooth! She even has a collab with Ha Hyunwoo, a member of Guckkasten and I’m utterly in love.
Instagram / Spotify
Week 3
Honestly, would it be me if I didn’t try to mix some jazz in the list. Jaehyun Cho came out with a wonderful jazz album ‘Pursue’. If you liked the movie ‘Whiplash’ at all, definitely listen to ‘Los York’.
The band JUROKEY had me intrigued with their mini-album ‘1+-1’. I’ve added the group to the list of features that I want to explore more. I just really love their vibe. It’s the kind of chill indie music we need after a hectic day. Also pay attention to their album covers, because they’re stunning!
More jazz with the group SASEON and their mini-album with the same name. If you need some jazzy vocals and some brilliant saxophone in your life, please give this one a chance. The vocals you can hear in ‘Thread’ and ‘Care’, if you need some scat singing, check out ‘Two Some’.
Instagram / Spotify
Week 4
Park Ki Hun released his album ‘A clumsy cheer song’ and it is a fully instrument album. It’s a fabulous piece that is designed to be soothing. It’s the perfect album to put on while you’re cooking or reading. It is such an easy listen.
Chabitna is a new discovery for me. Her EP ‘When loneliness becomes your lover’ is lovely! Her vocals remind me a little of Florence and the machine. It has that same airy yet strong quality to it. I fully believe that we have to pay attention to her, because she’ll do great things.
To end on a happier note for the April Korean indie releases, I wanted to put some extra spotlight on the new single by Rainbow Note. Honestly, it’s a vibe and I’m loving the city pop. The instrumental is funky™ and I dig it so much.
That’s it for this April Korean Indie DisKovery. I sincerely hope you’ll take some time to get to know these artists’ discography a little more. There’s some real gems in there. Let us know what your favorite is and why in the comments!
