On the 21st, LUCY, set to release their sixth mini-album 'Wawanchang' on the 23rd, met with the press at a café in Gangnam, Seoul.
Returning with 'Wawanchang', LUCY aims to showcase a new direction. Choi Sang-yeop explained, "We wanted to differentiate this album from our previous ones. It embodies our ambition to break away from the past and start anew."
Jo Won-sang added, "It's not about breaking everything we've done before. We've always evolved, but this time we wanted to make a bigger change. It's also a question to the listeners about what they might want to break away from."
The title track 'Wake Up' features catchy and addictive melodies with witty lyrics. It starts with a lively drum beat that feels like waking up, blending seamlessly with piano and violin melodies, showcasing LUCY's signature refreshing vibe. The double title track 'Hippo' contrasts with a lyrical melody against an addictive bass loop, enhanced by intriguing FX sounds.
The album's biggest challenge was achieving mainstream appeal. Jo Won-sang explained, "There are two aspects of mainstream appeal: easy listening and stimulating sound." As a result, 'Wake Up' and 'Hippo' were chosen as the title tracks.
'Wawanchang' is the first album released after member Shin Kwang-il's enlistment. LUCY's drummer, Shin Kwang-il, enlisted in the army's military band in September last year. With one member absent, Shin Ye-chan shared, "Kwang-il said he felt a bit left out," bringing laughter. Choi Sang-yeop nodded in agreement, adding, "He also gave us a lot of support." Jo Won-sang noted, "His comment about feeling left out was probably a joke," hinting at their close bond.
With Shin Kwang-il's absence, Choi Sang-yeop's vocal role has increased. Jo Won-sang mentioned, "We decided to tailor the songs more to Sang-yeop's vocal color. Instead of finding a middle ground between two vocalists, we had more freedom focusing on one." However, he admitted, "We had to consider the dynamic and color diversity with just one voice." Other members also stepped up to fill the gap, with Jo Won-sang and Shin Ye-chan starting vocal lessons. Jo Won-sang explained, "We thought it was necessary for other members' voices to appear at least once for dynamics, especially during live performances."
Born in 1996, Jo Won-sang is also approaching the time for military service. Having been the main producer for the team, he plays a significant role in LUCY's musical identity. While there were concerns about the band's future during his service, he now feels more optimistic. Jo Won-sang said, "Each member has excellent skills and composition abilities. I'm actually looking forward to seeing what kind of music LUCY will create without me." He joked, "By the time I enlist, Kwang-il might be back. I hope the music they create isn't better than mine!"
LUCY stands out by incorporating the violin, setting them apart from other bands. Despite potential challenges in blending unique elements with mainstream appeal, LUCY sees these as strengths. Jo Won-sang stated, "Being memorable to more people is mainstream appeal. A distinctive vocal is advantageous, and the same goes for the violin. With the rise of short-form videos, people can't help but stop and watch when they see a violin played in a captivating way."
They have put significant effort into the violin sound. When asked about the most focused aspect, Jo Won-sang replied, "It's the violin sound. It's been that way for every album." Shin Ye-chan shared, "Most band music doesn't use the violin. It's challenging because it might not blend well with other instruments." He added, "We incorporate MTR on stage to play together and try to show new performances with actions others don't do."
Following the release of their new songs, LUCY will hold their seventh solo concert 'Wawanchang' from November 2-4 at Korea University's Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul. All three concert dates sold out within eight minutes. Despite headlining various festivals, the members seem unaware of their growing popularity. Jo Won-sang commented, "The most common thing I hear is 'My friend knows LUCY,' but they don't know us well themselves." He added, "We want to be a band that's openly famous."
The anticipated band boom is approaching. Choi Sang-yeop stated, "We've benefited a lot. The barriers to entry for festivals and performances have lowered, allowing more people to enjoy music without hesitation. Band music has a long lifespan, and the future is undoubtedly bright."
LUCY expressed their desire to play a pivotal role in the band boom. Choi Sang-yeop said, "There are various genres within band music. We want to be a stepping stone for those new to bands." Jo Won-sang agreed, "We want to be a friendly band that serves as a bridge." When asked if they would feel disappointed if they only served as a bridge, they unanimously replied, "Yes, we would." Jo Won-sang confidently stated, "We have the confidence to hold on tight. The truth is, we're blocked at the entrance."
LUCY will celebrate their 5th anniversary next month. Having sung several songs related to flowers, such as 'Bloom' and 'Falling Flowers', Shin Ye-chan responded to the question of how much the 'flower of LUCY' has bloomed, "It has bloomed a lot." Jo Won-sang likened the team to a dandelion, "It's a simple flower. Instead of just withering away, it becomes a dandelion seed and flies away, blooming anew."
'Wawanchang' includes six tracks: 'Wake Up', 'Hippo', 'More Than Me', 'Tuk-Tak', 'Countless Reasons Not to Hate', and 'Bleu'. Jo Won-sang played a leading role in the album, with Choi Sang-yeop solely writing, composing, and arranging 'Bleu', adding LUCY's unique touch.
LUCY's sixth mini-album 'Wawanchang' will be released at 6 PM today.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr