Released 8th mini album 'DRIFT' on the 2nd
Title song 'Touch', back with an intense style
Source: DSP Media
[The Fact | Reporter Jeong Byeong-geun] There are many points that make mixed group KARD loved, but one that cannot be left out is their intense music and performance. In their previous album released in August of last year, KARD took a break by reducing their unique color, but they have returned with intense music and performance that more than makes up for that break.
KARD released their 8th mini album 'DRIFT' on the 2nd. This album is about finding answers to the questions of their previous 7th mini album 'Where To Now? (Part. 1: Yellow Light)', and it contains their journey of moving forward in their own direction amidst numerous ups and downs. Although it is still in the process of finding the answer, the milestone this album has set is the intensity that is like the identity of the card.
Jeon Ji-woo explained, "It is an album that is fun to see and listen to because it is the opposite color of the previous work," and "I did not aim for the opposite color. While collecting songs, I waited for a song that could be the title song, and when I found that song, I set the concept that fits it." BM added, "The previous work felt like a comma to the intensity we originally had, and this time, it came out as an intense card that fans like."
The title song that had no choice but to bring out the intensity again is 'Touch'. It is a song that stands out with the beat that reinterprets the 2000s sensibility in a trendy way that is unique to the card. The straightforward lyrics that create an alluring atmosphere, such as 'Baby all you need is one touch' and 'Lovestruck that cannot be broken', are captivating.
The members were hooked on this song right away while collecting numerous songs. There are many attractive points such as the harmony of elements that give weight to the chorus' repeated synth, percussion, and string sound sources, but member Jeon So-min's words, "It's a song that seems like something KARD would do, but it also seems like KARD has its own color," encapsulate the charm of this song. KARD expressed that mysterious point very charmingly.
KARD broke the 'sexy seal' in this song. Having shown restrained sexiness so far, they boldly explode with desire in the new song 'Touch'. It's a little different from KARD's previous intensity, but there's a balance that's not excessive, so it's also KARD-like. The music video, which received a 19+ rating, also has provocative elements, but it's not provocative for the sake of provocation.
"The song 'Touch' itself is a bold temptation about a charm that is not easily accessible. I tried to write the lyrics to match that meaning. The music video was not intended to be provocative either. I wanted to honestly capture the instincts that people can express among the expressions of love. In fact, when we saw it, it wasn't that provocative (laughs). It will be easier to understand if you watch it together with the song." (Jeon So-min)
"When I heard that the content was about everyone at a party looking at us and trying to seduce us, but we proudly refused, I wanted it to be a bit more racy and I wanted to give it a provocative point like a music video from the 2000s. The difficult part was that I'm actually shy, so I had to pretend to be excited as soon as I met the extras. (laughs) I pretended to be excited and finished it well." (Jeon Ji-woo)
In addition, J.Seph said, "Many female dancers surrounded me and twerked. I had to do it professionally and get energy, but it was harder than I thought. I thought I could do it, but I couldn't, so I stuttered." BM shared the behind-the-scenes story, saying, "That scene I witnessed it. Their eyes were fixed on one spot. It was fun to watch," he said and laughed.
Source: DSP Media
All members of KARD participated in writing the lyrics and expressed the desires contained in the song with their own unique expressions, and BM also participated in composing and arranging to refine it to fit KARD.
BM said, "When the song came, it was a little different than it is now. I modified it to fit the concept. There was no third verse, so I added it," Jeon So-min said, "I tried to use it in a way that matches the meaning of temptation and has a natural flow of pronunciation, but with a point." J.Seph said, "I like the scent of white musk. I thought that the person I was looking at would be attractive if they smelled that scent, so I added that word."
In addition, 'BETCHA', which harmonizes the reggaeton mood and hip-hop sound, 'Before We Go', which adds a refreshing mood to the dem bow rhythm, 'Top Down', which delicately stacks synth sounds on a dreamy percussion rhythm, and 'Pivot', a reggaeton-based house with a prominent kick sound, etc., KARD flexibly crosses genre boundaries and solidifies its identity.
Of course, they put in a lot of effort, but "there was nothing difficult. All five songs are songs of a color that KARD has never released before, so it was fun to work on" (Jeon So-min) and "It was the least burdensome to make. Personally, it was the least difficult and the most fun, and it turned out well without any big ambitions" (BM), so it is an album that was completed smoothly.
What's interesting is that the members' favorite song is not the title song, but 'Before We Go', which is located on track 3. Jeon Ji-woo said, "I felt overwhelmed with emotion while recording," and J. Sep said, "I was passing by the recording studio and this song started playing for about 2 seconds after the door opened and closed. It was so good. I asked him about it and he said it was this song," and Jeon So-min said, "As soon as I heard the song, I thought we had to do it."
The reason why 'Touch' became the title song over those songs was clear. Jeon So-min explained, "I thought that the title song of this album should highlight our strengths in performance. Our previous work was a calm song that we hadn't done before. This time, we wanted to show a slightly different direction and 'Touch' fit that best."
K.A.R.D., who returned with a new album after 11 months, will open the prelude to their world tour 'DRIFT' in Seoul on the 19th. In particular, the Seoul concert will be their first in about 5 years.
Jeon Ji-woo said, "Fans have been waiting for us for a long time, and we've been wondering when we'll be able to have a concert in Korea. We're really happy and excited. We did it 5-6 years ago, so we're a little scared if they'll come this time, but we want to show more of ourselves to those who do come. We'll show the experiences we've accumulated while touring on stage. I think the concert will be really exciting."
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