Human beings have the ability to express themselves in a way that makes them happy. Some individuals may find themselves indulging in photography, painting, cinema, or perhaps music. When people are guaranteed the ability to indulge in artistic freedom, they are given the ability to imagine, create and connect. One artist who has taken advantage of her creative freedom is Yves, a female Korean soloist who manifests her feelings in a hyperpop, R&B-inspired medium.
Yves, arguably one of the most unique female Korean soloists, has burst back into the scene with her second EP titled ‘I Did.’ This EP follows “LOOP.” Yves’ solo debut album that was released on May 29, 2024. “LOOP” took the world by storm, leaving a strong impression by topping the iTunes ‘Top Albums’ charts in 10 regions worldwide, including New Zealand, Latvia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Poland, Peru and Finland. “LOOP” also waltzed up the charts, securing the second spot on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart and the eighth spot on the European iTunes Album Chart. It goes without saying that the people love Yves, dying to know what she’ll do next.
“Let’s get dumb and break s—-,” Yves demands in the title track, “Viola.” Listeners are immediately thrown into a hyperpop paradise, with some deeming the song a “lovechild” of Charli XCX and Sophie. Despite the song sounding upbeat, the lyrics uncover a whole different story. “I just need some space,” Yves seems to be begging the listener to stay away, knowing she’s losing control. The listener can almost feel the anxiety within the lyrics, although the anxiety seems to dissipate as the song continues. The song ends and leaves the listener with a feeling of calm.
“In the beginning of “Viola,” there’s a sense of confusion, and the lyrics talk about needing a hiding place. But the outro has sounds that convey a sense of space and calm. If you listen to the tracks in order, you’ll feel the range of emotions I encountered on my journey to find peace,” stated Yves in an interview with The Korea Herald.
The EP isn’t just a hyperpop paradise. In fact, it has a variety of songs that have R&B melodies, such as “Hashtag” and “Tik-Tok”. Through these songs, Yves is given the opportunity to explore a wide variety of emotions, all while on a journey to find peace.
“Dim,” the last song on “I Did,” has been spoken about often within the circle of those who are fans of LOONA, a Korean twelve-member girl group that Yves was a part of until the group officially disbanded in 2022. The song has been described as calming yet somewhat nostalgic.
“The feeling of nostalgia and yearning this song gives me… my god, it feels like I’m in the LOONA fields reconnecting with an old friend,” said one TikTok user describing “Dim.”
Yves, who was known for her low and mature voice in LOONA, has expressed that she is adamant about expanding her artistic range. “I felt confined by the mature, intense image I took on in the group. To break free from that, I decided to trust my new agency’s vision of what they see in me,” said Yves.
Yves’ music captures the listener’s attention and transports them to a world of introspection and emotional exploration. The EP is a reflection of Yves’ journey to find peace and serenity.
To celebrate the release of “I Did”, Yves will be partaking in two tours, one in Europe and one in North America. The tour, titled the Apple Cinnamon Crunch tour, will be officially kicking off on Dec. 4 in Berlin, with her North American tour kicking off on Jan. 16 in Montreal.
To keep up with Yves, follow her on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
