【E】 [excite] 씨엔블루의 새 앨범 “colors”를 만든 것 자체가 도전 Creating the new album “colors” was itself a challenge

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Creating the new album “colors” was itself a challenge

-To me, your 4th original album “colors” seemed to be a work where you’ve taken on many challenges. First, could you tell us why you decided on the theme of “colors”?

Yonghwa: Our previous single was titled “White”. When we moved onto the album from that single, we thought we wanted to share more “colors” of ours, the different arrays of our music.

-Compared to your previous album “WAVE”, do you think there has been any “changes”? The content of music, the progress of songwriting, or your approaches. Anything you’d like to tell us?

JH: As I always tend to think, not much has changed.

-Yes, you always tend to say that. You seem to not consciously think you need to change, or should I say, your basic attitude doesn’t change.

JH: Right. Since time has passed, our work definitely changes naturally. In terms of the sounds, we’ve taken on many challenges and have changed. Musically, it’s very simple and in a way has more mass-appealing songs that are easy to listen to. I think it’s rather cool that way. That’s the main point of this album.

MH: Compared to our previous albums, this album seems to be especially filled with songs that are very memorable if you give a full listen with each track.

YH: In terms of the sound, I tried to enhance the band’s instrumentals while incorporating modern elements. 

JS: When I’m preparing for albums, I always have the same approach or attitude for every one of them. I always try to prepare with my utmost, but especially in this album, I’ve included a song that I made myself for the first time. I’m anticipating it very much!

-That’s the track 8, ‘Daisy’. First, congratulations is in order!

JS: Thank you!

Everyone: (applause)

-Lyrics by JS, co-composed by JS and YH. The chorus seems to develop into an entirely new color, is that something you accommodated when you collaborated with Yonghwa?

JS: At first, I composed the song with just a guitar and played it for him. Yonghwa hyung added his touch to that afterwards. Especially with the chorus part, he changed it saying, “let’s make it more awesome.” I learned so much while writing this with him. I thought, “Indeed, he’s Jung Yonghwa!”

-When I close my eyes listening to it, it really feels like the one who left me is really there. It sings of very sorrowful and beautiful emotions.

JS: I wanted to write a song that has a story. I hoped that when people listen to it, it’s not just the specific person but many could sympathize with it. I wanted to write about something everyone has probably experienced once. I wrote the lyrics after composing, which made me think, “Ah, sad lyrics would go with this.” Then I wrote what I wanted to write.

-When you heard JS’ first demo, what was your first impression?

YH: “Amateur.” (laughs)

Everyone: (laughs)

-What was lacking for Yonghwa, the self-proclaimed genius? (laughs)

YH: (laughs) No, though I said it sounded amateur, I myself am still studying. You know there’s that sentiment of the song written for the very first time? That was palpable in Jungshin’s demo. The kind of emotions you can only have when you write songs for the first time. Though there were certainly parts to edit, I kept his good parts and wrote it as we discussed together. As for myself, I tried hard so that although it’s a first-timer’s song, it wouldn’t sound like one.

-Something fresh and cool, while a song that only bands can write?

YH: Right. Also, JS and I had already decided on the concept that we want to write a song that would touch people’s hearts. Normally, when you compose a song with someone, you might not always agree on things. But in our case, that concept was agreed upon, so we wrote quite easily with one another.

-Lead track ‘Supernova’ is composed and written by Yonghwa. What was the image you started with?

YH: When I wrote the song, “Star Wars” came to my mind. And in another way, outer space is a quiet place as well. Perhaps that’s why so many people love it. I wrote with the thought of the space in those terms.

-Were you always interested in outer space?

YH: No, not really… (laughs). But I came to think about that existence. When I watch films that portray the universe, it opens up a space in there with only me inside… I wanted to express that space of quiet tranquility as the universe. That was the thought. 

(jump)

-The next track, composed and written by Yonghwa, ‘hold my hands’ had very refreshing jazz feel to it. How did it come about?

YH: It’s a recent song that was written shortly ago. I had the lyrics first. I wanted to portray this speechless feeling of being moved at the heart. Without revealing conspicuously that I’m “sad”, I wrote it so that it subtly approaches the hearts (of listeners).

-That’s quite deep. YH has also done solo activities. Did the things you gained from that also influence this album?

YH: There’s so much. I feel that the solo activities are useful, it’s helping me much. First, as for myself, I think the vocals have gotten much polished. During the solo activities, I recorded phrases and melodies that came to my mind and turned them into songs. That boosted the number of songs we can sing at the tours. We just released this album now, but I have songs that can be released in a few more singles.

-You’re at that period when your ideas are springing from your mind. 

YH: I have periods when I can compose a lot. I’m the type that goes, “Oh, it’s now!” and write them on. I rarely compose “because I have to”. Though if we decide “our next album will be this way,” I conform to that direction when I write.

-I’d say this album has many songs that you can readily identify as “OO’s song”. I feel that your “colors as composers” are now established. Do you realize that?

MH: Definitely, we know ourselves who made which songs. It’s been that way, but it’s becoming more and more evident. When I listen to songs, I’d think, “Is it a little different from before?” but I'd still know, “Ah, is this YH hyung’s song?” and when I check it out, it’s correct. In addition to the development that each member is making, their preferences seem to be reflected spot-on to the songs.

-Speaking of which, following JS, I’d like to listen to songs written by MH as well…?

YH: I’d say, it’s probably quite soon.

-Is that so? Are you preparing something?

YH: I’m fully ready to support it.

MH: Still, I think songwriting is a bit far from me…

-Oh, that can’t be.

MH: Hmm…I think songwriting is a difficult task (laughs).

-Related to this album’s title: If you would say, “I exhibit this color!”, which color are you? For example, “White, because I accept many different opinions of the members,” or “Red, because I’m passionate.”

YH: I’m black. We’re releasing an album in Korea around the same time as we made this album. They’re very close in terms of time with one another. I’ve completely burned out after creating the two albums — now I’m only left with ashes (laughs). So, I’m black. I’ve combusted it all! 

(jump)

-With this album, ‘CNBLUE 2015 ARENA TOUR~ Be a Supernova~’ will begin on Nov. 3. What kind of challenges do you wish to take on?

YH: For me, creating this album was a challenge by itself. During the arena tour, it’d be a challenge to showcase those songs for the first time.