Live Review: Yaeji explores a new direction on new single, 'Waking Up Down'

Yaeji and anime-partner in crime Woofa return in anime styled video for her latest track ‘Waking Up Down’.

The NYC based/Seoul born producer has returned with a brand new bubbly electronic track to tide you over until the release of debut full-length mixtape, WHAT WE DREW 우리가 그려왔던 which is due to be released on the 2nd of April.

The track sees Yaeji explore a new emotive direction from previous break out hit ‘Raingurl’, and build sonically on her more recent remixes of tracks from pop stars Charli XCX and Robyn.

‘Waking Up Down’ sees Yaeji singing in English and Korean thematically celebrating the smaller things in life. This idea is fully formed in the accompanying colourful anime inspired video, where Woofa and Yaeji complete everyday activities.

Yaeji flexes her production abilities to craft a track that is club ready yet still contains a sense of mystery. It begins with boastful lyrics, that eventually settle into a repetitive monotonous tone. Joined with electronic bubbly production, a thumping 808 and her haunting harmonies, this boastful tone soon becomes more muddled and quickly feels like a reminder of the stresses of everyday life.

The chorus where Yaeji sings in Korean reveals the song's true identity. The translation reads ‘It’s not easy/There’s no such thing as easy/If I’m lazy/They all say it’s my fault.’ It’s an unexpected theme, especially for an electronic club like song, but no one can deny that it’s a familiar feeling that she taps into. It’s more surprising that it comes from such a self-assured artist whose biggest hit ‘Raingurl’ dripped with swagger and confidence. This honest admission and Yaeji’s infectious production, makes 'Waking Up Down' not only your next pre’s playlist banger but a simple reminder that it’s the little things (like staying hydrated) that are enough.

WHAT WE DREW 우리가 그려왔던 is out April 2 via XL Recordings/Remote Control. Pre-save here.

Words by Lawson Wrigley

Image by Dasom Hahn.

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

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