Taeyang calls latest solo album his best

Singer Tae Yang / Courtesy of YG Entertainment

By Kim Jae-heun

Taeyang, best known as a member of idol group BIGBANG, brought back his solo project, introducing what he calls the best album of his career, “White Night,” Wednesday.

After achieving a career-high with his previous solo album “Rise” _ which became the third-highest-charting K-pop album and the highest-charting K-pop album by a Korean solo musician on the Billboard 200 in 2014 _ the singer felt his next solo project would have to be better prepared than ever.

“The song Eyes, Nose, Lips included in my last album received so much love and now people have higher expectations for my next album. I had to prepare a lot,” Taeyang said during his press conference for the new album at D Museum in Hannam-dong, Seoul. “I enjoyed working on my album and it wasn’t a burdensome process. I had the chance to work with new producers and seek a new music style with the new album.”

Working with new producers did not change Taeyang’s music style but rather helped him dig deeper into what he can do best. The singer’s latest music style may sound new to the audience, but he focused on producing music that he has long sought and pursued.

“I put 100 percent into this album and I am fully satisfied with it. I can say this every time I come back with a new album, but really, I told the co-producers after finishing the album that this could be the best one I will ever produce,” said Taeyang.

“White Night,” the musician’s third album as a soloist, consists of eight tracks including “Darling” and “Wake Me Up.”

Taeyang worked on “Darling” when he was producing his solo music for BIGBANG’s M.A.D.E album series two years ago. However, he hadn’t felt like it was ready at the time. It went forgotten since then until he and producer Teddy recalled the tune.

“Our American friend Brian Lee visited our studio one day and we played the song for him. Teddy and I had given up working on Darling as it was already too old for us and we could no longer work on it. But it was so easy for Brian and he just finished the song on the spot,” Taeyang said.

The singer introduces his title track as an R&B song about mixed feelings of love and emotion that many lovers can empathize with.

Taeyang has previously been recognized for his stage performances. However, he said he did not restrict his music to the dance genre but further focused on making songs that he can perform alongside various visual effects.

Taeyang discussed his possible conscription in the Army next year and how he will prepare for it _ which is his obligation as Korean citizen.

The singer also expressed regret for his bandmate T.O.P’s recent marijuana scandal and how he tries to visit him and comfort him as much as he can.

“The best way to comfort him is to stay beside him. There is no advice I can give other than visiting him often and talking to him about trivial things. I try to call him as much as possible. That seems to help him,” Taeyang said.

Taeyang’s new album was released online yesterday at 6 p.m.