 Singer J.ae is back with a new mini album titled ``Sentimental.'' It features eight R&B tracks and is expected to bring a breath of fresh air to music charts dominated by trendy idol bands. /Courtesy of Paragon Music Corporation |
Staff Reporter
Music these days is like the genre of thriller novels: the songs stick in your memory for a while, but never really leave a lasting impression. For idol bands, this method is an effective way to show off their talent in the fast-paced music industry, while listeners get a chance to hear the next ``bestseller." But for singers like J.ae, who debuted in the late 1990s, music is more than just consumable material ― it provides an original soundtrack to life.
The 32-year-old singer is back with a ``special'' album titled ``Sentimental,'' and although she admitted that she was so tired she couldn't feel her tongue, she looked enthusiastic and thrilled to meet her fans.
``I sleep about four hours a day because of all the promotions, interviews and my midnight radio show. I'm tired, but I'm (still) smiling,'' J.ae told The Korea Times during an interview last week.
``Sentimental'' has eight tracks, all impeccably written and produced with a hint of nostalgia for the 1990s and featuring the sweet and emotional voice of J.ae.
``This album was going to be a Lady Gaga-type album when we first started last year. But now, there's nothing even remotely similar to that,'' she said laughing.
The album can be categorized as a ``mini album,'' she explained, adding that a mini album is somewhere between a full album and a single (which include bonus tracks).
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``I think my voice evokes more emotion. And, yes, I'm a sentimental person. Music is the voice of people who feel all these emotions but (find it difficult) to put them into words,'' she said.
``There are so many love songs, and I think there's a reason for that. When you are hurting, or really happy or lonely, it's hard to express; you don't even want to. Songs help you to do that: They become the original soundtrack of your life.''
The album's lead single, a sultry, soulful number titled ``No. 5'' that features some interesting sound samples, was added to the album just a week before its release. From her experience, the right songs never come easy. But they come at the right time.
`` We were in a rush! As soon as I heard it, I was like `yes!' The intro of a door unlocking, the cat meowing ― I loved the details. That's why we don't have a music video out; we had to scrap the original plan (to make a video for a different song),'' she said.
``The songs that were coming out all had this link, a string connecting them. This was the kind of album I wanted to do: earthy, very acoustic and real, without a lot of (adornments).''
Understanding the public's interest in dance music, J.ae's company insisted on doing something ``trendy, plastic, shiny and sparkly.'' But in the end, it was hard to ignore the fact that this was not the sound J.ae was going for.
``I said OK, it sounds like a good challenge ― something my fans haven't heard or seen, something I haven't done yet. I've been doing this for 11 years, so I get bored sometimes,'' she explained.
``But then, I'm listening to the music out there lately and it's repetitious -- happy and shiny. To try and jump on that bandwagon is just pointless and ridiculous. I had to stick to the voice that I have.''
``Sentimental'' is about giving the public what they have been missing at a time when trendy dance music is saturating the airwaves. It's a breath of fresh air for those that are sick of the norm, or that were never really interested in it to begin.
The singer continuously used the words ``down to earth,'' ``simple'' and ``natural,'' to describe the album, reflecting not only what she had in mind as an artist, but also a sophisticated and sentimental 32-year-old.
``My goal is to make music that is easy on the ears. I'm not trying to badger the listeners by repeating the lyrics a hundred times and finally hypnotize you,'' she said with a smile.
``Hopefully, (the songs and lyrics) move you now or will move you in 10 years. If it doesn't move you now, that's OK. I have faith that when you experience life that much more or when you need some comfort, my songs and voice will comfort you,'' J.ae said.
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
