Secret Asian Man - Album [Ghost]

* The outer case is just for protecting goods. (scratches and discoloration on the case cannot be the reason for exchanging or returning)

Secret Asian Men, who released their debut album [Secrets Beyond The Room] in 2016, is releasing their second full album [Ghost] after five years. Secret Asian Men reflects the changes that naturally emerged from meeting audiences during performances after releasing their debut album, which seemed to be made secretly by young people who grew up in the 90s, and the EP [Contrast] and the ambient single [Sleep Tight].

As time has passed, the second full album [Ghost] contains traces of various changes of Secret Asian Men. There is also a reason why they had to stay in the room for a long time. Secret Asian Men slowly and quietly plays songs that comfort the world and themselves, longing for those who exist in the world but do not exist by their side. While it has the basic formation of a rock band, synths and programming actively intervene to create the mood. Secret Asian Men's [Ghost] includes 8 songs that reflect the emotions of those spending isolated time in their rooms on winter nights.

Secret Asian Men was formed in 2012 while studying in Japan. They began serious activities after recruiting Kim Yeon Jong in 2015 while rarely performing between Japan and Korea. They released two digital singles [Money] and [Sway Away] in 2015, and after about a year of preparation, they released their debut album [Secrets Beyond The Room] with 9 tracks in 2016. The debut album was nominated for the Modern Rock Album category at the 2017 Korean Music Awards. They then released an EP [Contrast] with 5 tracks in 2017 and a digital single [Sleep Tight] in 2018.

“It feels like there are still people in the world who exist but do not exist by my side, which is why I titled the album ‘Ghost’. The theme of this album is ‘comfort’. I wanted to comfort both the people around me and those who have already distanced themselves from me, while also expressing my desire to be comforted. I hope that all the lonely, hurt, and fading hearts resonate with the listeners.”

1. Only By My Side

It expresses the desire not to collapse under loneliness and the feeling of wanting to keep loved ones close.

2. C913

This song serves as a signal to start working on the second album. “C913” is the lake near where I live, and I worked on it while recalling myself becoming lethargic, having locked myself in my room and relying on comfort for the past few years. It is the most exciting and fast-paced song on this album.

3. When Did You See It Coming

This song was created while observing the increasingly overwhelming and unexpected events that occur over time. The process of the instruments and vocals gradually layering and developing is interesting.

4. If You Don’t

I wanted to express the feelings of people who feel disillusioned in a world filled with hatred but also feel that they are not much different from those around them.

5. Eyes On Sea

I depicted the loneliness and sadness of feeling left alone in the vast sea. It starts with a repetitive acoustic guitar arpeggio, and as the song progresses, strings layer upon each other. I had never written a song with acoustic guitar arpeggios before, and it was a joyful experience.

6. Even If I'm Lonely

This is a self-deprecating song created to comfort myself when I feel desperately lonely and that nothing is okay. I wanted to create a minimal song that matches the feeling of emptiness, starting with just four strings of the guitar, and then added acoustic guitar backing.

7. Blank

This song attempts to represent the passage of time. Time ends everything and allows for new beginnings, but I wanted to express how we repeatedly go through similar situations without being able to escape from it.

8. Letter

I worked on this while thinking of my loving parents, partner, friends, and all the grateful people who have always believed in and waited for me, and who still wait for me.

Secret Asian Men
Heo Se Jeong: Guitar, Vocals
Kim Yeon Jong: Bass, Drums, Synth

Discography
Money (2015, digital single)
Sway Away (2015, digital single)
Secrets Beyond The Room (2016)
Contrast (2017, EP)
Sleep Tight (2018, digital single)
Ghost (2021)

Produced by Secret Asian Men
All songs played by Secret Asian Men
Recorded by Sejung Heo, Yeonjong Kim
Mixed by Park You Man
Mastered by Sean Yun at Hiamusic Studio
Design by Dew Kim
Photos by Iwa

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