IU’S 3rd MINI ALBUM [REAL]
An 18-year-old girl's shy confession, “I... what can I do when I like you so much, Oppa…”
IU, who has established herself as a representative female solo artist in the music industry with her innate sensibility and vocal ability, returns with her third mini-album [REAL]. The album was co-produced by Producer Cho Young-chul, who has set music industry trends with consecutive hits like ‘Abracadabra,’ ‘Nagging,’ and ‘Irreversible,’ and Producer Choi Gap-won, who understands IU's musical sensibility well through their long-term collaboration. Additionally, a large number of top-tier songwriters in the domestic music industry participated, including Yoon Sang, Kim Hyung-suk, Yoon Jong-shin, Choi Gap-won, Lee Min-soo, Shinsadong Tiger, Kim Eana, Saint Binary, Jeon Seung-woo, PJ, and Min Woong-sik.
True to the album title [REAL], this new album reflects IU's unadorned, natural, and authentic self. The title track, ‘Good Day,’ is a work by the hit-making duo of composer Lee Min-soo and lyricist Kim Eana, who have joined forces once again for IU.
‘Good Day’ is a song with a scale reminiscent of a musical, featuring a grand yet dynamic sound based on a cheerful melody, string arrangements, and funky brass rhythms. It stands out for its unique structure, where solos of violin, brass, guitar, and organ are played in a call-and-response format with IU. The lyrics, which depict the heartache of a girl who likes her ‘Oppa’ but is too shy to easily confess, honestly and purely express the sweet yet aching emotions of first love. Through ‘Good Day,’ IU is set to make the hearts of all the ‘Oppas’ across the country race, showcasing her explosive vocal power and a performance that captures the shy cuteness of an 18-year-old girl.
The songs included in this album are all of such high quality that any of them could serve as the title track. First, ‘Not This’ by composer Kim Hyung-suk is a Shibuya-style electronic medium track—a first attempt for IU—and is a song where the unique composition flowing throughout the track stands out.
Kim Hyung-suk, who has always highly valued IU's atmospheric tone, successfully brought out her bright and sophisticated singing style in this song. ‘The Night of the First Breakup,’ a work by Yoon Jong-shin, depicts a day in the life of a girl who is frantic and bewildered after a breakup; IU completed the mood of the song with her outstanding interpretation and sensibility. After working on this track, Yoon Jong-shin praised her highly, describing IU as ‘an enviable singer who possesses both musical sensibility and intelligence.’
‘Alone in My Room,’ with its sensible arrangement and sophisticated melody that lingers in the ear, is a song by composer Jeon Seung-woo, allowing listeners to experience IU's deeper tone and refined vocals. In particular, IU personally participated in the lyrics for ‘Alone in My Room’ alongside lyricist Choi Gap-won, coloring the entire song with the sensibility of an 18-year-old girl. The sorrowful ballad ‘Slowly Doing’ is a collaboration between composers PJ and Min Woong-sik, with lyrics by Choi Gap-won. Based on an acoustic sound that suits IU best, it is an impressive song with a lyrical melody and beautiful lyrics about slowly forgetting a loved one after a breakup to love them just a little longer. Shinsadong Tiger's ‘Merry Christmas’ is a confession song that IU presents as a gift to her fans, featuring a rap by MBLAQ member Thunder, who has built a friendship with IU since her trainee days. With IU's clear voice and a cozy arrangement, ‘Merry Christmas’ was completed as a love song that will beautifully color everyone's hearts this winter.
