박혜진 PARK HYE JIN’S DEBUT FULL-LENGTH ALBUM, BEFORE I DIE

DJ, singer, and producer 박혜진 Park Hye Jin has made a name for herself by breaking down barriers in house music and influencing the development of K-House. After a record-breaking year of non-stop releases, Park Hye Jin finds herself at the forefront of the industry once more. The South Korean-born and Los Angeles-based artist makes yet another mark on the industry today with the release of her long-awaited debut album Before I Die, which is out today via Ninja Tune and is comprised entirely of material written, produced, and performed by the artist.

Hye Jin has released three singles over the course of the last few months, laying the groundwork for the album’s full release. ‘Let’s Sing, Let’s Dance’ is the lead single and the album’s opening track, and it features her dreamy vocals over a bright and airy piano octave, as well as a reverberating bass line. Her vocals are a fusion of Korean and English, with the title lyrics evoking a hymn-like mantra in its repetition. With the release of the album comes the release of an official music video for the track. “This video should represent the vibe that Hye Jin gives off to her listeners,” says musical director Kevin Lombardo in a press release. “Simply put, you want to disconnect from reality by getting up and dancing.”

A loop of self-deprecating lyrics such as “Oh my God I’m dumb as shit” are interspersed throughout the song, which is a danceable yet dreamlike trap-inspired track. ‘Whatchu Doin Later’ is the second single from the album, which was released in July, and features the artist switching between English and Korean lyrics.

‘I Need You’ was released last month and was hailed as an emotional track that showed a more vulnerable side of Hye Jin’s personality than previous work. Switching back and forth between English and Korean, she layers her laid-back chops over syncopated hi-hats and a piano line for an altogether emotionally direct track that reinforces the longing for companionship with the refrain “I need you” repeated repeatedly.

The following is the complete track list for Before I Die:

1. Let’s Sing Let’s Dance
2. I Need You
3. Before I Die
4. Good Morning Good Night
5. Me Trust Me
6. Where Did I Go
7. Never Give Up
8. Can I Get Your Number
9. Whatchu Doin Later
10. Sex With ME (DEFG)
11. Where Are You Think
12. Never Die
13. Hey, Hey, Hey
14. Sunday ASAP
15. I Jus wanna be happy

On Before I Die, Park’s artistic sensibilities are matched by a sonic palette that draws inspiration from electronic, rap, hip-hop, and downtempo sensibilities, among other influences. Growing up in Korea, Australia, and England, the multi-faceted artist has been honing her musical abilities since a young age, drawing inspiration from her experiences growing up in countries where house music is a fundamental component of the musical universe. To this day, she has honed her craft to the point where she distinguishes herself as an artist who defines ethereal minimal house, making Before I Die a must-listen for fans of the genre.

Park Hye Jin’s new album, ‘Before I Die,’ is out today. You can listen to the entire album by clicking here.