SF9’s Inseong is opening a new chapter as a vocalist with his first solo album, “Crossfade:” on January 14.
Inseong’s mini-album “Crossfade:” captures the moment when two selves coexisting within one person intersect. The “real self” in his private space and the “masked self” created by the gaze of others may seem different, but they are inseparable. “Crossfade:” is an album that captures the moment of transition where these two images collide and gradually overlap, offering a glimpse into the inner world of Kim Inseong, not just SF9’s Inseong.
Throughout his career, Inseong has built a strong presence as a vocalist through SF9’s group activities, numerous OSTs, cover content, and musical performances. His rich vocal range and delicate expressiveness, honed through various stages, add depth and richness to his solo artistry.
The title track, ‘Mute is Off,’ is a rock ballad featuring powerful vocals and a dramatic band sound. Unlike his usual playful image, the lyrics express his hidden inner self, and the powerful yet restrained instrumentation further enhances the emotional intensity of the vocals.
Notably, ‘Mute is Off’ is Inseong’s first self-composed song, with him participating in both the lyrics and composition, honestly expressing his inner thoughts and emotions. By making his first self-composed song the title track of his first solo album, he reveals his identity as a solo artist.
The music video for “Mute is Off” embodies the album’s theme by portraying Inseong’s two contrasting sides as a “writer” creating an adventure story and the “adventurer” within that story. Initially appearing as two separate entities, the two personalities gradually encroach upon each other’s territory, clashing until their boundaries dissolve, and they finally confront each other in a single space. Ultimately, this signifies that both characters represent different facets of a single personality. The artist subtly expresses distinct emotional states through eye contact and facial expressions alone, naturally and convincingly portraying the contrast between the two characters.
In addition to the title track, the album includes five songs of various genres, including ‘Feast of the Night,’ a medium-rock track showcasing the artist’s smooth yet powerful vocals; ‘Trying to Love,’ a modern rock song expressing the excitement of the first moment of falling in love, like flowers blooming in spring; ‘Stained Memories,’ which combines diverse band sounds with explosive high notes; and ‘Still You, Now Me’ a modern rock song telling the story of lovers who have drifted apart. Notably, all the songs feature a band sound, vividly expressing the emotional nuances of the artist’s vocals and providing a solid and rich sound that creates a highly immersive experience.
Listen tot “Crossfade:”
