INTERVIEW Heize delves into nostalgic feelings in mini-album 'FALLIN'

Just in time for autumn, with the breezy weather and colorful foliage, singer-songwriter Heize returns with a sentimental album, “FALLIN,” where different stories of longing feelings unfold.

The singer's ninth album, set to be released at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, features seven songs that explore the desire to let go of past longings and embrace a new beginning.

It includes the title track of the same name, written by B.I, as well as six self-written songs — “It Was All You,” “Broken Diary,” “Behind the heart,” “Dot,” “Without you” and “November Song.”

“The title track is a song about moments when things felt naturally a part of my life and (I) believed those would last forever. After I decided on the title track, I thought I could gather the songs I had written about this theme of longing,” the singer told The Korea Times, during a recent interview at a cafe in Gangnam District, Seoul.

“As (I was) working on them in a small studio, I went through my own ups and downs, but I'm so grateful that those difficulties passed, and the music can come out into the world like this. And since I love autumn so much, I'm most grateful that I can share new music with you during my favorite season.”

The title track is a ballad with a simple acoustic guitar melody woven with Heize’s romantic voice. It expresses the nostalgic feelings for disappearing things through the lens of young and inexperienced love.

The singer shared that she wanted people to be reminded of their own nostalgia, adding that her memories with her family helped shape the album.

“My mother has been unwell for several years, so those nostalgic times within me are the image of my parents when they were really healthy and how our family was in my childhood. It greatly influenced the making of this album,” she said.

“But I didn't directly point to stories about family. When people listen to the title track, everyone has different types of longing that pile up as we live. I mostly hoped that people would be able to recall their own personal longing.”

The singer-songwriter thought of various individuals when making this album and realized the true function of feeling nostalgic.

“When I wrote songs before, it was usually about one person or one moment. But this time, even within one song, I think I recalled multiple subjects. I found myself reflecting on first love and long-lost romances, considering the people I've encountered along the way or those who have crossed my path. So I ended up thinking about many people and relationships,” she said.

“Through this, I realized how precious this emotion of longing is. Because it became an opportunity to look back once again at the valuable, precious and loved moments and people in my life. I wrote it thinking about that, so I feel like many subjects are grounded into the songs.”

Exploring the feeling of yearning for the past while working on the album, she came to find her own definition of nostalgia.

“I felt that the emotion of longing can be about recalling the past with a smile or about having regret and remorse,” Heize said.

"But after deeply facing this emotion of longing while making this album, I kept reminding myself that it's such a natural feeling that happens with time, like a change of seasons. It’s something that no one can stop. And my heavy heart seems to have become much lighter.”

The singer hopes that the listeners will resonate with her message as they go through this album.

“Things disappearing and changing with time is completely natural. It's no one's fault and no one can prevent it. And because those moments I long for existed, I am who I am today,” she said.

“Also, if I get too caught up in longing, I might not be able to focus on my present self. So I thought a lot about living today while keeping these things in mind. I hope listeners can do the same, and I hope we can try together.”