MUSIC
Naul: “I hope ‘1993’ conveys the sensibility and style of the 90s to young people.”
Naul's third single '1993' from 'Soul Pop City' will be released on major music sites at 6pm on the 4th.
Naul's third single '1993' from 'Soul Pop City' is a song with a 1990s vibe and is an urban R&B number that combines soul, pop, and jazz. The new song perfectly reproduces the clichés of 1990s black music, showing a wonderful groove that is an extension of quiet storm and slow jam with the DNA of smooth jazz added.
In particular, the urban-scented retro urban EP sound and synth bass, the cowbell rhythm part of the original Roland TR-808, a drum machine symbolizing the 80s and 90s, and the chic synth lead solo combine with Naul's soulful vocals to create a 90s era. It conveys the nostalgia of
Q. It’s been a while since you released music news following [Soul Pop City]’s second single ‘Word’ last summer. How are you doing?
Naul: I've been working on Digging On Air (Melon Station) and Naul's Music World (YouTube), and I've been busy writing songs in my free time, holding gospel meetings, and holding exhibitions.
Q. You used your new work <Long Play 3> as a teaser image and part of <A Man & The Earth> as the album cover. What is the meaning behind it?
Naul: I worked on ‘Long Play 3’ this year and it is a series work. The timing was right when I was changing the main image of 'Naul's Music World', so I used it as a teaser image as well. I liked the free feeling of the drawing and the colors, so I used some images from <A Man & The Earth> for this cover.
Q. Following ‘1985’ from the first album [Soul Pop City], this time you summoned 90s R&B. What kind of song is ‘1993’? I wonder when would be a good time to listen to it.
Naul: As the title suggests, it is a song with the mood of the early 90s, and is an urban/R&B song with quiet storm, smooth jazz, and a strong urban scent. It's a song that would be good to listen to at sunset, and would also go well in the middle of the night or early morning. (It's good to listen to while driving along Gangbyeonbuk-ro or Olympic-daero.) ※ I highly recommend watching the M/V.
Q. Looking at the credits, I was impressed that Naul himself did all the programming, Roland TR-808, synth bass, and electric piano. What part of this new song did you put the most effort into?
Naul: The 'Soul Pop City' project is a series I'm creating alone, so I'm having fun trying out various things on my own. '1993' tried to convey the vibe of the 90's in a serious and stylish way, and the point in particular was that it borrowed the cowbell sound of the 'Roland TR-808', a symbol of the 80's and 90's. We took great care to create a retro yet stylish feel.
Q. How do you want the public to perceive ‘1993’?
Naul: I hope that the nostalgia of those distant, nostalgic times will be conveyed to the public of a similar age to me, and I hope that the new sensibility and style of the 90s will be conveyed to young people these days.
Q. It's a 4 minute 42 second song, but when I listen to this new song '1993' as well as '1985', I wonder if you intended it to be the album's Intro or Interlude. Can we look forward to the 3rd full-length album in the future?
Naul: Actually, I made '1993' last year to use it as the first song of my 3rd full-length album. I like making instrumental songs more than vocal songs. I have been thinking about the 3rd full-length album for a long time, so I plan to continue working on it as soon as good songs come out.
Q. You are showing a variety of genres with <Soul Pop City>. Are there any genres you would like to introduce in the future, such as new jack swing or funk?
Naul: I think I want to cover all genres of black music, so I'm thinking about various things. I want to create many great songs within the boundaries of black music.
Q. You collaborated with Shinsegae Duty Free's 'Paul & Bunny' character and 'Art & Music Space'. What did you want to express through this collaboration?
Naul: Through various collaborations, we wanted to provide a pleasant experience that allows you to escape the boredom of everyday life with cute characters.
Q. How do you plan to spend the second half of 2024?
Naul: There are no specific plans, but I plan to continue working on art and music with Melon Station's Digging On Air (radio) and YouTube's Naul's Music World.
