At only 21 years, hongjoin is constantly evolving his sound and expanding his musical boundaries, having just been named SPOTIFY RADAR Singapore Artist for 2023. Having played for Shawn Mendes Album Anniversary @ Swee Lee in 2021 and just opened for a sold out Matt Maltese show on 24th May, he is now releasing his second EP F(OOL), and holding his first concert in Singapore this mid-July 2023.
The EP will span across multiple genres within the alternative realm, including Indie-Pop and Alt-Rock. It is his most ambitious project up to date and is set to solidify an exciting 2023 for him. F(OOL) is the abbreviation for Fall Out Of Love, but is also wordplay on being a fool for love. With recurring motifs of different seasons throughout the year, it alludes to emotions of longing for someone out of reach. However, in hongjoin’s words, “just like the transition between seasons, we slowly acclimatise to different phases of our lives.” Nostalgia is the main emotion portrayed throughout, and accompanied with strong visual aesthetics to evoke a greater sense of connection for the listener with the music, F(OOL) is set to take you on a heart wrenching and sincere love story.
F(OOL) Tracklist:
- Fall (Out Of Love)
- You’re My Everything
- Long Way Home
- dear abbey
- Paper Hearts
- Leave In The Summertime
- In Another Life
‘Leave in The Summertime’ is the perfect heartbreak anthem for anyone going through heartbreak this summer. Exploring themes of distance and ‘what ifs’, ‘Leave In the Summertime’ evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, looking back on relationships that never worked out due to the prospect of long distance.
“While creating the EP, I knew I wanted a track that would tone down the energy compared to the other tracks, yet still upbeat enough that you could still bop your head to. Like in a sad way, because – well the lyrics are sad (as usual)…I wanted it to feel like an intimate conversation that never took place”
Sonically, the song also steers away from the conventional hongjoin track. Intentionally opting for trap/hip-hop drums rather than familiar sounding organic drums that he always uses, hongjoin blends acoustic elements of guitars and
electronic sounds to surprise listeners with a wave of diverse sounds, imitating an uncomfortable sense of familiarity – deja vu. The outro then introduces strings when the drums dissipate, creating a strong sense of longing,, like a warm blanket during a cold night – a reminder that everything will eventually be okay.
“You’ve got bigger plans than I might want you to. But everywhere I go I think of you. In another life I swear you’d love me too.” – In Another Life
Another track that catches the eye is Focus Track In Another Life – a cinematic track that takes the listener on a journey, to revisit past moments of hurt where a relationship didn’t work due to distance and looking back at the “what if” moments in our lives. “Loving is also letting go, and the only choice you are left with the person is the idea of them, where you play out an alternate reality of a happily ever after in your head.” The arrangement of In Another Life includes carefully thought out recordings of live pianos in the bridge and cinematic breakdowns in the outro. Recorded and self-produced over the span of a year, this is hongjoin’s proudest track to date. hongjoin hopes his listeners reflect on heartbreak in a positive light, because to be able to feel is what makes us human.
F(OOL) is now available on all major digital streaming platforms.
