After a solo debut crowned by a more than positive reception last May, Yves makes her first comeback with I Did, a mini album produced mainly by Millic (founder of Yves’ label, Paix Per Mil) and IOAH.
« LOOP » was a huge success – Yves’ first title track quickly became a fan-favorite of both Orbits (as LOONA fans are known) and Engdus (Yves’ fans). Featuring Lil Cherry, « LOOP » became, according to K-pop fans, a club anthem for its rhythm and its house music and UK garage production. More importantly, the EP was named by Billboard as one of the best K-pop albums of the first half of 2024.
Yves’ first comeback is just as promising. I Did is both eclectic and coherent, exploring different musical genres – from hyperpop influences reminiscent of Charli XCX’s « Brat Summer » to the RnB and hip hop of its producers.
During a fansign, your author asked her to describe her EP, to which she replied: « (the feeling of being) under a warm blanket ». Let’s discover Yves’ album together.
VIOLA
« Viola » is the title track of the I Did EP. Produced by Millic and IOAH, the song begins with a robotic voice saying: « let’s get dumb and break shit » – an auspicious, yet funny start.
The bubblegum bass / hyperpop and PC Music influences are noticeable in the modulation of the voice during the chorus sung in a high register, but also in the use of various almost non-musical noises. The bass gives a bubbly or bouncy ball feel, while the synthesizer is sometimes set to the sung melody, sometimes creating their own rhythm – a wonky inspiration.
Wonky is a genre of experimental music based on unstable synthesizer melodies.
Yves lyrically tells a new part of her story, showing her emotions in a vulnerable way: « I just need some space / voices in my head / I just need some space ».
Yves goes through the tedious process of finding (again?) herself and getting to know herself, sometimes resulting in a desire to be alone. With a dreamy vocal performance, we imagine the idol delving into her unconscious to try and better understand herself.
The MV pursues this idea by showing minimalist shots with generally uncluttered backgrounds and few props. However, several circular objects are used, such as Archimedes spirals.
MUSIC VIDEO
The Archimedean spiral is a straight line wrapped around itself. In spirituality, these spirals can determine part of our unconscious. They are associated with evolution, growth, repeating events and the ego.
Ther double spiral of fire becomes a simple circle when Yves stands in front of it, breaking a repetitive circle and putting an end to doubts. The circle represents unity and harmony, and as it has no beginning and no end, it is a symbol of renewal.
Several scenes are also shown, including a video of a disgruntled-looking man and an office with employees. Yves is shown in a small office with partitions, surrounded by screens showing the man wearing negative expressions, initially trapped in a vicious circle; that of paying too much attention to the comments and demands of others until no longer following what our heart really desires. But at the end of the MV, the singer frees herself from this space of negativity.
I know who I am
Oh please just stop it
It’s burning my brain
You’re melting my chain
Lighter scenes highlight the choreography as well as Yves, who appears in various outfits conveying a little more of the sense of « Viola » – notably a black ensemble reminiscent of a suit when she’s in a work office. This sense of being trapped is personified by Yves, who appears tired at the start of the MV, curled up with her head resting on her crossed arms.
Both the song and the video are open to multiple interpretations, making the whole all the more intriguing and addictive. « Viola » follows Western trends while bringing freshness and a personal touch to hyperpop.
Q: Was the title track created with international fans in mind?
Yves: The group (LOONA) and I have more fans abroad than in Korea, so I think the agency took that into consideration. The hyperpop genre is quite fast-paced and has a unique tone, so it may sound a bit strange in Korean. The message I really wanted to get across in the song was recorded in Korean.
HASHTAG
« Hashtag » has RnB and hip hop inspirations from the 1990s and 2000s, notably with a piano melody looped throughout. The track is introduced by masculine exhalations and a deep bass loop. The track recalls artists such as Brandy with her Afrodisiac album or certain songs such as « No Scrubs » by TLC.
With « Hashtag », Yves expresses a certain frustration with someone who doesn’t say things directly, beats around the bush and prefers to « treat her like a stranger » rather than be honest. The lyrics, written entirely in English, show not only Yves’ interest in black music, but also that of her producers 0JV3 and IOAH.
Yves played an active role in the composition, proposing artists and songs she liked to Paix Per Mil in order to produce an EP that reflects her personality. Her playlist notably includes PinkPantheress, Tyler Lewis and Kelela.
« Hashtag » is a surprising and spellbinding b-side, thanks to Yves’ vocal performance, which brilliantly showcases her talents.
GONE GIRL
Yves surprisingly announced that « Gone Girl » is the track most mentioned by international fans when asked for their favorite song from the EP. « Gone Girl » immerses us in a chill, soft and light atmosphere, with a more refined production that is nonetheless complete and accomplished.
Acoustic guitar with a reverb effect and soft percussion give us a late-night or road-trip feeling (« Hands on the wheel / Driving on the highway »).
Yves’ performance is pure, vulnerable and raw, as she claims to have left behind a painful relationship: « I tried to make you love me / But it was all just fake ».
So, in a car, she drives off into the sunset, finally feeling free and free of the relationship. The footsteps at the beginning of the track amplify this feeling of leaving the situation behind.
The song’s title, « Gone Girl », was probably inspired by Gillian Flynn’s book about a woman who pretends to be dead in order to escape her life. In Gone Girl, the protagonist destroys her image as the perfect woman by disappearing in order to find herself. Her relationship with her husband and with herself is toxic, but so is her way of letting go of the past. Without going that far, Yves simply decides to turn the page for her own good in « Gone Girl ».
TIK TOK
« Tik Tok » is a pre-release single released last summer, bridging the gap between LOOP and I Did. With a very relaxed, acoustic feel, it brilliantly follows « Gone Girl », extending not only the musical atmosphere but also Yves’ story.
In this track, Yves is still dealing with a complicated relationship that « wastes time », as the person in front of her acts « like a child ». Both protagonists are trapped in a vicious circle of constant fighting (« same old fights »).
So Yves decided to assert herself and set some boundaries. She doesn’t want to feel wronged any more, wants to recover her lost hours, and also wants to stop depending on this person. The sun rises and Yves leaves, leaving behind this toxic relationship.
« Tik Tok » is an acoustic affair, with the conclusion stretching out over what could almost be an entire verse. But the near-silence speaks for itself: there’s nothing more to say. The mood is cinematic. We imagine ourselves watching a film, with the protagonist walking along a long road.
DIM
The last track on the EP is a slight departure from the rest of the tracks, without being too dissonant. On the contrary, the production ambience remains minimalist with trap influences, but the mood is darker and heavier.
« Dim » begins with an almost mournful violin as Yves’ voice reaches our ears, also filled with emotion and accompanied by a low 808 and lighter hi hat sounds.
The harmonies in the second verse add depth to the torment expressed by the vocals. Like « Tik Tok », the track continues with an instrumental section that also appeals to the listener’s emotions. The tone is heavy, a little sinister but also very cinematic. The violin returns crescendo, creating a new, erratic atmosphere, a little violent and reminiscent of glitches. Although somber, this part also has a healing feel to it, almost like a coming of age movie.
The conclusion is reminiscent of drum and bass tracks with its change of rhythm, but also of hyperpop with a siren blaring in the background. Yves creates an atmospheric and mysterious potpourri in « Dim », making for a tingling yet never overwhelming song.
CONCLUSION
I Did is a testament to Yves’ artistic and personal growth. With four exclusive tracks, Ha Soo-young (Yves’ real name) reveals a spectacular evolution that we hope will only be exponential. Indeed, the idol has revealed her desire to play an even greater part in the creative process of her forthcoming comeback.
So far, we’re enjoying the promotions for « Viola » and can’t wait for her concert in Paris this December 12 at Le Bataclan!
