[세트] KISS OF LIFE (키스오브라이프) - 미니 2집 [Born to be XX]

KISS OF LIFE 2nd Mini Album [Born to be XX] Release of 2nd Mini Album “Born to be XX” The comeback of the ‘monster rookie,’ the second album “Born to be XX” to establish themselves as ‘artists’ A story about ‘true freedom’ told through ‘X’ Double title tracks with a twist of ‘perspective and duality,’ ‘Bad News’ and ‘Nobody Knows’ Since their debut last July, KISS OF LIFE captured the eyes and ears of fans worldwide, dominating various global charts and demonstrating a remarkable trajectory befitting the title of ‘monster rookie.’ They garnered attention by achieving exceptional results, such as ranking 1st on the Thailand iTunes chart, reaching the top tiers of charts in various countries, entering the Spotify Viral 50 chart, and recording over 30 million cumulative streams. Their free and energetic attitude, which only they can pull off, combined with the solid quality of their music and content, surprised the public. Furthermore, the overwhelming vocal skills and hip performances shown through various content and stages were enough to gather public expectation and interest in their future steps. While their previous debut album spoke about ‘the process of challenging limits and trials to win freedom’—in other words, ‘freedom from external oppression’—their second mini album uses the keyword ‘X’ to convey the message that ‘true freedom is freedom from within,’ told in KISS OF LIFE's own unique way. “I was born as X, and this is me.” The ‘X’ referred to in this album is a story about ‘something special that is unwelcome.’ Resisting the existing order, hating to be trapped in a mold, being unapologetic in expression, and desiring more than just freedom—their image, which borders on rebellion and revolution, may appear to others as a dangerous look that could easily lead to misunderstandings. Nevertheless, by showcasing the image of ‘X’ itself, this album feels as if KISS OF LIFE is telling us, ‘It’s okay just as you are, because that is also you.’ “All preconceptions, prejudices, and X” It speaks of ‘X,’ the rejection of all prejudices and preconceptions—showing only what people want to see, and seeing only what people want to see. In exchange for convenience, we are losing the freedom of perception and thought, and the countless streams of information make us stop thinking altogether. I don’t even know if what I am seeing now, or the thought I am having now, is entirely my own. Is the problem ‘showing only what people want to see,’ or is it ‘seeing only what people want to see’? Perhaps ‘rejecting all of this’ is the first step toward true freedom. “We know the truth, nobody knows this.” By configuring two different songs as double titles—‘Bad News,’ a track based on an intense guitar riff highlighting the harmony of hip-hop and rock, and ‘Nobody Knows,’ a Soul/R&B track with an impressive, sensual beat—they create a unique and organic flow. The lyrics, which sharply yet playfully express the theme of the ‘duality of perspective’ in distinguishing between ‘truth’ and ‘rumor,’ and the two music videos that direct this, provide the public with another hidden point of appreciation. [Born to be XX] consists of a total of 7 tracks. Fitting the expectation of being a group that aims for original music and self-production, this album includes several songs written and composed by the artists themselves. From Belle's self-composed song ‘Says It,’ which captures the emotions of a fresh first love, to ‘My 808’ and ‘Bad News (ENG Ver.),’ the members participated in the production to deliver music of high quality. It is time to once again feel the artificial respiration newly presented by KISS OF LIFE. KISS OF LIFE 2nd Mini Album [Born to be XX] Track List 01. Bad News (Title) Composed by Strawberrybananaclub, JONGHAN, Rick Bridges Lyrics by Rick Bridges, JONGHAN, PAPRIKAA, Strawberrybananaclub Arranged by Strawberrybananaclub The title track 'Bad News' is a song that highlights the harmony between an intense rock sound and a heavy hip-hop rhythm. The guitar riff that repeats from the intro to the end boldly showcases a genre-musical aspect that could otherwise feel unfamiliar, and the pre-chorus, which makes the subsequent parts unpredictable, creates tension that leaves listeners breathless. The moment the vocals of the chorus finally open their mouths, it announces the arrival of a game changer. 02. Nobody Knows (Title) Composed by PAPRIKAA, Lim Jung-woo, ADORA, VON MENTZER Korean Lyrics by Cho Yoon-kyung, Julie, Rick Bridges Arranged by PAPRIKAA The double title track 'Nobody Knows' is an R&B song influenced by the classic mood of 1970s psychedelic, funk music, and Philadelphia Soul. This song, impressive for its languid yet head-nodding rhythm and captivating bass/guitar performance, is an original genre piece with a high level of required musical understanding and vocal difficulty. KISS OF LIFE's musical ambition and passion in taking on this challenge will come across to listeners as another charm and a new experience. 03. My 808 Composed by G’harah “PK” Degeddingseze, Tricia Battani, TMM Lyrics by Mia (153Joombas), Rick Bridges, Lee Hye-yum (Jamfactory), Gemma, Belle, Natty Arranged by G’harah “PK” Degeddingseze, Tricia Battani 'My 808' is a B-side track in the Dance/R&B genre, a song that stands out for its sensual allure, comparing 'my bass (dance)' to the '808 sound' within the music. You can enjoy the listening experience even more by focusing on the addictive hook and the individuality of the vocals as they handle the repeating parts with their own charm and interpretation. 04. TTG Composed by BYMORE, Ondine, ADORA, Rick Bridges Lyrics by Ondine, Rick Bridges, BYMORE Arranged by BYMORE The B-side track 'TTG' in the R&B Dance Pop genre is a song that highlights a retro synth sound centered around an acoustic guitar and the Y2K tone and manner produced through it, with a groovy melody and harmonious vocal production increasing its completeness. 'TTG' is an abbreviation for 'That That Girl,' and as a feminine-mood R&B song aiming to express the feeling of the 2000s, it is a rare track that will once again show a different side of KISS OF LIFE. 05. Gentleman Composed by Thomas Troelsen, Lindy Robbins, Gabe Saporta, Shy Carter Lyrics by Cho Yoon-kyung Arranged by Thomas Troelsen The B-side track 'Gentleman,' which incorporates Afro rhythms and reggae patterns, is a song that showcases a unique charm by combining a pop-genre verse centered around 808 bass with a chorus blended with soul gospel. With the parts led by solo vocals and the contrasting gospel in the chorus, it is a track with a distinctive quality where you can feel both the musical capability and confidence of KISS OF LIFE. 06. Says It Composed by clovd(WSHL:ST), Kwon Deok-geun(WSHL:ST), Young Chance, Belle, Eunsol Lyrics by Belle, Rick Bridges Arranged by clovd(WSHL:ST), Kwon Deok-geun(WSHL:ST) It is a song that captures the feeling of a fresh first love. I wanted to express those emotions—feelings that are unfamiliar and strange, yet also reckless. “The feeling that colors have appeared in my life, which used to be like black and white; sitting for hours on a cool summer night, not realizing how time passed even while being bitten by mosquitoes; let's just call these strange emotions 'love.' And instead of wasting any more time, let's pour everything out and love.” Commentary by BELLE 07. Bad News (Eng Ver.) Composed by Strawberrybananaclub, Jonghan, Rick Bridges Lyrics by Julie, Rick Bridges, Jonghan, PAPRIKAA, Strawberrybananaclub Arranged by Strawberrybananaclub Featuring a more intense guitar riff and allowing listeners to feel the energy of the performers more closely, 'Bad News (Eng ver.)' is a bonus track that serves as the grand finale of the album. The raw and vivid sound, which feels as if you are watching a live stage, will be like a surprise gift of an original version for the listeners.