When Korean five-piece ALLDAY PROJECT debuted in June with the understated but fascinating single ‘FAMOUS’, they appeared adamant about defying any trade guidelines. Moderately than sticking to the style’s tried-and-tested recipe for achievement, they selected so as to add their very own recent substances and create one thing fully new on the musical panorama.
ALLDAY PROJECT are the collision of 5 distinct artists who may, most probably, have succeeded as solo acts. Their debut music video not often exhibits them on-screen collectively, as a substitute emphasising that they’re particular person characters, every with one thing distinctive to supply. “Our strategy isn’t about saying, ‘Let’s all change into the identical.’ As a substitute, we’re united underneath one title,” rapper TARZZAN explains to NME.
Previous to debuting with prestigious Seoul-based file firm THEBLACKLABEL, every member of ADP lived vastly totally different lives. ANNIE was a scholar at Columbia College, TARZZAN a trend mannequin who made cameos in music movies for NewJeans and I-DLE. WOOCHAN appeared on South Korean TV rap competitors Present Me The Cash and YOUNGSEO has additionally loved success in different mediums. “It actually appears like luck, timing and future all aligned to deliver me right here,” she says.
Lead dancer BAILEY is already well-known within the trade as a choreographer, having labored with the likes of EXO‘s Kai, Pink Velvet and aespa. “Assembly her felt like assembly a star,” ANNIE jokes. Becoming a member of ALLDAY PROJECT got here at a time when BAILEY was “hungry for brand spanking new experiences” and wished to “discover a deeper connection” with herself – each by “honouring music” and embracing her “heritage as a Korean-American”.
With huge particular person expertise, it appears inevitable that they might be assured in doing issues in a different way. “For us, it’s not nearly following what has already been finished efficiently, however about discovering new methods to precise ourselves,” ANNIE explains. “We need to deliver recent concepts and distinctive experiences to the trade, and hopefully encourage individuals to see that Ok-pop can hold evolving in sudden instructions.”
Now, we’re starting to see the unwavering first steps of that evolution. BAILEY explains that they view ‘FAMOUS’ because the group’s “prologue” – a defiant introduction to their journey and themselves as artists. In that case, urgent play on ‘WICKED’ – their contribution to the ‘Bose x NME: C25 mixtape‘ – is akin to turning the web page and “defining our id shifting ahead.”
Musically, they’re venturing away from the smoother pop tones that formed ‘FAMOUS’ and additional into their hip-hop influences. It’s darker and extra experimental, fusing an eclectic moodboard of genres – from Brazilian funk rhythms to intoxicating lure beats – beneath punchy rap verses. If ‘FAMOUS’ is an anticipatory drive to a celebration by a glowing metropolis at night time, ‘WICKED’ is their euphoric arrival on the dancefloor.
It’s additionally a departure from the extra private lyrical themes on ‘FAMOUS’. “We wished to stability that out by together with a track that’s merely enjoyable, energetic, and straightforward to vibe with,” ANNIE explains. “One thing individuals can instantly hook up with with out overthinking.”
“With this mixtape, we wished to discover one thing new,” BAILEY provides. “A brand new sound, new collaborations, and a brand new chapter.” The collaborations come within the type of a remix from famous person DJ-producer Diplo, who transforms the observe right into a bouncier, extra aggressive EDM-infused hit.
TARZZAN calls Diplo’s interpretation “so refreshing”, along with his maximalist assortment of digital sounds and textures respiratory new life into the tune. “It was acquainted to our ears, but reworked into one thing fully new – a model that may actually gentle up the environment at a celebration or in any setting.”
The huge sonic distinction in sound between the 2 singles captures their playful and curious tackle music – an strategy that has maybe been lacking in modern group constructions. Till now, that’s.
“In a means, we’re continually studying by trial and error, and I like that,” BAILEY says. “The shortage of a set system pushes us to maintain evolving, difficult ourselves and one another, and redefining what’s doable as a bunch.”
Keep tuned to NME.com/C25 for extra on the return of the long-lasting mixtape
