H1GHR MUSIC artists reveal 'PINK TAPE' concept and Steampunk vibes

Artists signed to H1GHR MUSIC have shared insights into the production process and musical direction of their new album, 'PINK TAPE'.

"Incorporating a Steampunk universe"... The visual identity of 'DARA' and 'GHOST'

Through recently released video content, H1GHR MUSIC members pH-1, Lil Boi, Woodie Gochild, and BIG Naughty revealed the core themes of the album and behind-the-scenes stories from their music video shoots. They identified 'Steampunk' as the primary visual motif, noting they drew inspiration from the aesthetics of animations such as 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' and 'Akira'. In the video, they mentioned watching 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' on mute to help visualize the Steampunk world during the creative process.

Regarding the music videos for the tracks 'DARA' and 'GHOST', the artists explained that the filming at Yangyang Beach stemmed from spontaneous ideas. The 'DARA' music video, in particular, was conceived after the group wondered, "What if a delivery driver traveled all the way to Yangyang?" while enjoying time with locals. They also touched upon the hard work of Director Woo-jung, who played the delivery driver, and recounted unexpected mishaps during filming, including a broken cell phone and members falling into the water.

Differing perspectives on the 'Mix'

Interesting differences in opinion emerged among the members regarding the 'Mix' process, which is crucial to the album's final quality. BIG Naughty emphasized the importance of the initial intuitive feeling of a song during the sketching stage, rather than focusing on granular revisions during mixing. He argued that once a certain standard is met, the final result becomes a matter of personal taste.

Conversely, others highlighted the necessity of detailed mixing revisions. Woodie Gochild noted the importance of the mixing stage when establishing his specific vocal tone. The members engaged in a discussion about their individual musical workflows and reliance on 'intuition,' sharing stories about studio feedback and various creative jinxes—specifically the belief that over-editing a mix often leads to regret later.

The origin of 'PINK TAPE' and future expectations

The group also detailed the decision-making process behind the album title 'PINK TAPE'. Following previous releases like 'Red Tape', 'Blue Tape', and 'Purple Tape', the group decided on this title after discussing the desire to create a more mainstream, "pop-style tape" for this project.

The members shared their predictions on which tracks would become hits. BIG Naughty predicted 'DARA' would be the standout, while pH-1 and Woodie Gochild favored 'GHOST'. Woodie Gochild expressed high satisfaction with the track, noting that the vibe of 'GHOST' represents a musical movement that is truly unique in Korea.