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The Deep - Here I Am (promotional picture)

“So This Is How You Make Music” — An Interview with The Deep

One of the more surprising albums in 2020 came from a young woman with a voice like aged whiskey. Yoojin Park, known more commonly by her stage name The Deep, has a voice that just catches you off guard. Unapologetically husky and full of old-school emotion. With her debut EP, Escape, fans of R&B from Korea were gifted something truly unique. A singer with true vocal grit. The Deep took some time to answer a few questions for us.

Samuel Seo - UNITY II (album cover)

Samuel Seo “Creates” Neo Soul in South Korea with UNITY II

I wanted this to be a short-ish review. None of the purple dramatics I tend to engage in when talking about music that really impacts me. But Samuel Seo’s latest release deserves the time to dissect. The second in his UNITY series, UNITY II sees Seo crafting and molding a genre he’s connected with into something viable in the landscape of South Korean music. He has quite literally “created” the neo-soul genre in South Korea

Man1ac - More Than Ever (MV screenshot)

“More than ever” by Man1ac Forces Us to Make a Choice

All quarantine ain’t created equal. For those trapped in an abusive situation, this self-isolation is hell. What’s more, so few people are actually talking about it that when someone mentions it everyone takes a collective gasp. That almost goes double for women living in South Korea. Keeping quiet because that’s what’s expected. Any attempt to speak up can be met with a societal fist to the face more biting than that of their tormentor. “More than ever,” Man1ac’s collaboration with Ann One and Basick, is both timely and shocking because of just how rare it is.

Woo - USED TO (cover art)

“USED TO” Reveals Woo Wonjae’s Truth (and Possibly More)

Rapper Wonjae Woo, now known as simply Woo, has a reputation as one of Korea’s most unapologetic rappers. He speaks his truth regardless of what people think. His music always has a sort of eerie slant to it. His latest single “USED TO” is no exception. In it he reveals the truth about his past and flings it back in the faces of his detractors. Naysayers and gossipers who don’t care about how he got where he is now.

After Hours - What Are We Doing (album cover)

After Hours Is Ready for a Brawl on “What Are We Doing” LP

After Hours is a very interesting collective. The overall color and style of each MC doesn’t really differ that greatly. Each rapper seems prime for a fight. Ready to scrap at the first hint of someone showing them or their circle disrespect. “What Are We Doing” is an album from a group itching for a brawl. The kind of piss and vinegar on display at certain points of this album is actually breathtaking.

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