RM "An Album Like a Diary Containing Honest Thoughts and Concerns"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] BTS leader RM is taking a step forward as an artist by releasing his first official solo album, 'Indigo'.
Big Hit Music announced on the 2nd that RM will release all tracks of 'Indigo' at 2 p.m. (KST). 'Indigo' is RM's first solo album in about four years since the mixtape mono. 1, released in October 2018.
Big Hit Music explained, "RM put his honest thoughts, worries, and various reflections into this solo album," adding, "RM, who has conveyed his sincere stories without embellishment through BTS albums as well as his solo works, personally led the entire process from writing and composing all the songs to the album concept and planning to express his changed tendencies and thoughts."
For this album, RM chose the concept of 'Indigo,' a color contrasting with the black-and-white atmosphere of his previous work 'mono,' and inserted it throughout the album. Beyond the color, the concept photos featuring RM wearing jeans and a denim shirt with a painting titled 'Blue' by the late artist Yoon Hyungkeun, whom he respects, hanging on the wall behind him, caught attention. The agency added that this expresses the album as a connection between music and art while literally representing the album title 'Indigo.'
RM wrote and composed all the songs on 'Indigo' and collaborated with musicians each possessing different charms, achieving a 'boundary-transcending' collaboration between music and art.
Earlier on the 1st, he was selected as one of the 35 innovators by the art media Artnet News. RM was chosen as an innovator in the 'The Investors' category and has shown a special affection for art by frequently expressing interest in various artists and exhibitions.
This year, RM donated 100 million KRW to the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation to support the preservation and restoration of Joseon Dynasty archery garments held by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). He also participated in volunteer exhibition interpretation for the Korean Modern Art Exhibition held at LACMA since September.
The album contains 10 tracks reflecting RM's life and thoughts. The title track 'Deulgonnori (with Jo Yujin)' includes songs such as 'Yun (with Erykah Badu)', 'Still Life (with Anderson .Paak)', 'All Day (with Tablo)', 'Geonmangjeung (with Kim Sawol)', 'Closer (with Paul Blanco, Mahalia)', 'Change pt.2', 'Lonely', 'Hectic (with Colde)', and 'No.2 (with Park Jiyoon)'. RM completed the album with talented producers including DOCSKIM, Pdogg, HONNE, eAeon, and John Eun.
Among the 10 tracks, 8 feature a dazzling lineup of collaborators such as Cherry Filter's Jo Yujin, Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Epik High's Tablo, singer-songwriter Kim Sawol, British singer-songwriter Mahalia, R&B hip-hop musician Paul Blanco, singer-songwriter Colde, and singer-songwriter Park Jiyoon, showcasing a diverse musical world.
On the night before the release, RM shared on the fan community Weverse, "(This album is) like a self-curated exhibition," and expressed his feelings about the release, saying, "I was able to blend music and language that are braver and more truthful, closer to the heart in my current form."
After releasing 'Indigo,' RM plans to meet fans through small-scale performances and other events.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
