Nonfiction [CLIPP140] by SINQMIN
Previously dedicated to his pop-leaning trap collaborations (including renowned Korean rapper Jvcki Wa and others), Seoul based artist SINQMIN has been active creating a connection between house/techno and hip-hop music inside South Korea. Already known in the underground scene of Seoul via playing with artists such as Derrick May, Brodinski, Para One and Boston Bun, his new EP titled “Nonfiction” now brings a refined aesthetic to his musings of various idm and electronica tropes, albeit with a slant of re-birth.
All three originals here shake with the kind of deep aquatic vibes better known in Detroit electro circles, or micro-minimal stylings to emerge in Europe during the mid 2000’s, but its lead track “Yeonji Gonji (Rouge on The Cheeks)” which finds SINQMIN breaking new ground. The artist combines what sounds on the surface like a Yellow Magic Orchestra feeling with a house/techno/lofi vibe while ruminating in his native language on the mournful history of Korea. We’re not entirely sure if this trajectory has been travelled thus far by a non-female Korean artist but it’s definitely an exciting twist and feels all the more fresh for the exploration.‘Yeonji-Gonji’ means a red dot women put on each side of their cheeks during traditional Korean weddings in order to exorcise evil spirits and wish for a fresh start. With the current awful situation unfolding around the world right now we couldn’t ask for anything more.
[Korean]
흘릴 수 없는 눈물 만큼
아픔이 많았기에
흘릴 수 없는 눈물 만큼
슬픔이 많았기에
우리들의 슬픈 기억을
잊을만큼 세상이 빠르기에
우리들의 슬픈 기억을
잊을만큼 가볍게 여겨지기에
잊고 지냈던 소중함을
다시 한 번 일깨워야해
잊고 지냈던 순수함을
다시 한 번 일깨워야해
[English]
as much as the tears that cannot be shed
because of the pain
as much as the tears that cannot be shed
because of the sadness
Our sad memories.
The world is fast enough to forget.
Our sad memories.
To be taken lightly to the remembrance of
The value I've forgotten.
We need to remind him again.
The innocence that I've forgotten.
We need to remind him again.
released March 26, 2020