Park Hye Jin - Before I Die.

Feeling like l wanted to listen to something a little different, l randomly searched iTunes and luckily landed on Park Hye Jin’s album Before I Die. Listed by iTunes as Electronic, l think this is one of those albums that blends a range of music typologies into an ambitious collection with edge that l liked.

Park Hye-Jin

I was first drawn into Before I Die, from the first track Let’s Sing Let’s Dance. Super cruisy, with repetitive beats, this opening track is very likeable and for someone who didn’t know of Park Hye Jin, a smart introduction into her world. l was now ready to listen to more and move beyond that first early hesitation of a new, unknown artist (to this listener).

This debut album was written, performed and produced by Park Hye Jin, and was released by Ninja Tune. Sung partly in English and Korean (l assume), this album reflects Park Hye Jin’s Korea heritage and a period living in Melbourne, the U.K and more recently Los Angeles. She is clearly ambitious and not afraid to move wherever she needs to follow her dreams.

I was most drawn to the sounds: flowing, melodic, sparse, at times trance like but with an aggressive edge. This isn’t weak music. Her lyrics are super simple and distilled into their most honest, basic form …. ”l miss my mum, l miss my dad, l miss my sister, l miss my brother”. Whilst l didn’t understand all the lyrics on Before I Die, l just went with the flow and liked what l heard.

If U Want It , EP in yellow vinyl at Discogs.

I was surprised to read in her album notes that the closing song, I Just Wanna Be Happy, was originally to be called ‘I Hate Myself’. l listened and heard a crisp and optimistic ending to this debut, with its flowing atmosphere it made me want to listen to her 2018 EP, If U Want It (now available in yellow vinyl from Discogs). This EP reinforced her talent even more.

Looking forward to hearing what is next.

S.W.