Chung Ha - 1st Full-length Album [Querencia]

Chungha The 1st Studio Album [ Querencia ] Album Review A new K-POP diva discovered within this jewelry box. In the history of Korean popular music, the presence of divas has been very special. Kim Choo-ja, a representative singer of Shin Jung-hyeon's troupe who opened a new world of psychedelic rock and soul in the late 60s, showcased a radical and sensual charisma similar to Janis Joplin and Betty Davis. Kim Wan-sun, who led the era of New Wave K-Pop in the 80s, was the key figure who brought New Wave rock and synth-pop into the mainstream, opening an era of dance music never seen before. The appearances of Uhm Jung-hwa, who presented trendier visuals and sensory music in the 90s; Lee Hyori, who brought authentic hip-hop and R&B sounds to mainstream K-Pop; and BoA, who changed the paradigm of K-Pop by leaping forward as a global pop star, deserve to be remembered as major events that created inflection points for their respective eras. Who will be the diva to continue that lineage in today's K-Pop scene? In an idol market that has been redefined around groups over the past few years, Chungha has rarely and steadily solidified her position as a solo artist—both as a performer who captivates the public with explosive energy and as a vocalist with an enchanting voice—proving her potential through her career. Having expanded her boundaries and evolved through collaborations with artists from various scenes and genres, ranging from idols to R&B and hip-hop artists and 88rising's Rich Brian, Chungha's first full-length album demonstrates a bolder direction and musical challenges with rich detail. This 21-track studio album, encompassing diverse contemporary pop and dance music styles that cross between house, Latin, Afrobeats, and bass, is divided into four chapters based on conceptual tracks themed Noble, Savage, Unknown, and Pleasures. The contrast between the opposing and intense concepts symbolized by each chapter constructs Chungha's artistic worldview as she completes her own world through a complex and diverse narrative of emotions while traversing genres. SIDE A {Noble} A1 Bicycle A song that expresses the excitement and overwhelming energy of the moment one steps on the pedal and moves forward, unfolding with an R&B pop-trap sound and an introduction of intense fuzz guitar. The straightforward lyrics and bold attitude of the chorus, leading into “Get out of my way-ah! / I'll show you how I like it,” imprint her confidence as an independent and energetic solo artist and a presence that no one can replace. A2 Masquerade The dynamic progression of the brass section, the tension of the muted guitar, and the sensory beats in a ratchet style combine to create a rich sound. The tense excitement of a masquerade, “awakening the rhythm and moving the body,” feels as if it is unfolding before one's eyes, accompanied by delicate and sensory vocals. The collision of a Latin pop-style progression and an R&B mood creates the atmosphere of a violent yet secret party. A3 Flying on Faith The edgy pop sound and rich production with clear progression create the moment where Chungha's vocals shine the most. Within a dynamic structure that begins with the restrained tension of a muted guitar, moves through a rising build-up and a roughly exploding chorus, and concludes with a sorrowful piano melody, Chungha's charismatic vocals are impressive, as they do not get buried by the production but rather seem to lead the numerous instruments. A4 Luce Sicut Stellae The mood created by the combination of tropical sounds, medium Afrobeats, and refreshing pad sounds and vocals is sweet and velvet-smooth. The lyrics, which express the hope that one "will not miss precious moments," transport the listener—weary of daily life and longing to escape—to the sky of an exotic city filled with starlight. The song title “Luce Sicut Stellae” is Latin for “Shine bright like the stars.” SIDE B {Savage} B1 Stay Tonight Starting with harp arpeggio sounds that convey a mysterious nighttime mood, this track is a dance tune with rising energy. Following high-toned vocals that build toward a climax alongside low-lying piano chords and a beat that opens with a great sense of space, the song transitions into a thick bass. The subsequent bridge, featuring a soulful electric piano line and distorted voice snippets, freely shifts its form between the tension and elegance of a multifaceted dance tune's diverse composition. B2 Dream of You (with R3HAB) A single that garnered attention through a collaboration with world-renowned producer R3HAB. The combination of strings, brass, and vocoder layered over a thick house beat merges into a simple, clear, and addictive melody line. Chung Ha's vocals, which pierce through the dynamics and pacing of the linear dance music, complete the song's uniqueness by moving between mid-low and high registers. B3 짜증 나게 만들어 (Make Me Annoyed) This track features SUMIN, who is currently creating the most sensual K-Pop, and Slom, who produces soulful and dynamic productions through collaborations with various artists. The sparkling sound of a vintage electric keyboard layered over a solid bassline and percussion layers, combined with Chung Ha's expressive power in directly venting emotions, is reminiscent of the soulful house divas of the 90s. B4 Chill해 (Chill) The synergy created by a thick bass lead combined with the excitement of a sophisticatedly slowed-down New Orleans bounce beat makes one forget that this is a relatively slow-tempo dance tune. Even without many elements, the addictive pattern led by the lead vocals and the power of the chorus parts stacked in unison create a natural and comfortable atmosphere. The message of coloring one's own future hope and joy as one wishes, without worrying about others' opinions, can only be described as very "typical of Chung Ha." SIDE C {Unknown} C1 PLAY (Feat. CHANGMO) The brass parts and thick synthesizer tones added to a Latin pop sound based on reggaeton and dembow rhythms unfold breathlessly; providing an even stronger impact is CHANGMO's part, where he transforms his rap into a rhythmical instrument regardless of the beat. Despite being a party tune that surges with continuous synergy, there is no room for boredom, likely due to the vocal expression that overwhelms the full instrumentation while delivering detailed nuances by finely adjusting the dynamics. C2 Demente (Feat. Guaynaa) An authentic Latin pop number completed through a collaboration with Guaynaa (Jean Carlos Santiago), who was selected by Billboard Magazine as an artist to watch in 2020. Over a primitive and lean production created by British producer Rationale from Zimbabwe and Colombian songwriter Laura Carvajalino Avila, Chung Ha's interpretative and expressive skills—completely immersing herself in the genre—demonstrate her versatility as a diva fitting for the era of glocal sound. C3 Lemon (Feat. Colde) The ability to absorb the mood of a song like a blank white canvas, regardless of its color or temperature, and interpret it with her own color is Chung Ha's unrivaled strength as a musician. The sensual rhythm and the gentle, lightly fluttering, lovely melody present a texture quite different from the atmosphere of the previous tracks. Over delicate arrangements and progressions, Chungha's vocals, layered as smoothly as whipped cream, capture the ear with a sweet melody line, while the addition of Colde's voice completes an ensemble that creates a unique emotional line while maintaining a cheerful temperature. C4 Byeolharang (160504 + 170607) The lyrics, "You who held my hand when I was struggling and exhausted / You who smiled first when I was happy / You who wiped away the tears flowing in my heart," are a message for the fans who have always been the greatest source of strength during difficult and exhausting times. The ensemble of lyrical guitar riffs and piano is clear and clean. Her expressive power as a vocalist, which evokes communion with the listener within a calm mood, confirms her prowess as an artist who knows how to imbue her own voice regardless of the genre's attire. SIDE D {Pleasures} D1 X (There were no flower gardens on the path I walked) The collaboration with The Black Skirts is a part where one can confirm the expansion of the sensibility the artist aims for in this album; it is a modern rock, pop number that possesses a characteristic clear sense of space and a concise yet rich melody that digs into the emotions. The lyrics, "This position didn't make me / There were no flower gardens on the path I walked," seem to symbolize the will of an artist who has walked a lonely and difficult path to break free from the shackles and prejudices of the past. Even amidst a dazzlingly sorrowful ensemble, the honest and determined voice instead sounds like a precursor to conviction and hope. D2 All Night Long Through this song, which expresses a midnight love song with a sorrowful and melancholy voice in a restrained monologue, one discovers a new side of her as a vocalist. Collaborations with Baek Yerin and Gurum were previously showcased in the tracks "From Now On" and "We Are Happy." The song begins with Chungha's voice, vibrating clearly to awaken the space, and as instruments layer one by one over the flow of time, the emotions gradually heighten. The composition of the arrangement is simple, but the direction of the sound pursued by the instrumental framework is clear and definite. Her vocals, resonating within this vibration and anchoring the song, have now expanded into a new territory, taking a wonderful step forward. D3 Honestly, I'm Exhausted A track where one can fully feel the talent and appeal Chungha possesses as an R&B ballad vocalist. The vocals, which calmly express images of loneliness, longing, and recollection, show her ego as a further grown artist. The stories told with honest expressions, as if conversing with the listener, illuminate the depths of the inner self more brightly as they build up. The protagonist of the puppy sound appearing in the introduction is said to be Chungha's pet dog, Bambi. D4 Comes N Goes A song that captures the process of reaching healing and happiness, with a message of hope and connection—like spring found again at the end of a season—amidst the worries of reality, sadness, instability, and unfamiliar days that rush in like darkness. Her clear, ringing voice shines brightly amidst the faint guitar strokes and arpeggios. The stream of consciousness, starting from daily reflection and revealing images of anxiety and nervousness, yet concluding with a positive attitude toward hope and the future, sounds like a closing that summarizes the narrative shown by this album. D5 Querencia (Epilogue) The hidden track, which appears after a rhythm of vitality that seems to emerge after all the stories have ended, unfolds mysteriously, as if starting the story again upon entering one's own private space. What story will begin behind this album, which captured a long journey of several years? Written by: Park Min-jun (DJ Soulscape)