AKMU offers understated comfort with 'organic' sound in new album

▲ This image of siblings duo AKMU is provided by Cemter of Inspiration. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

SEOUL, April 10 (Yonhap) -- Sibling duo AKMU is drawing attention with its understated message of comfort in its fourth full-lengthstudio album "Blooming," resonating quietly with listeners amid ongoing global conflicts.

According to the music industry Friday, the album’s lead track "Joy, Sorrow, a Beautiful Heart" topped Melon’s Top 100 and daily chart the previous day. "Paradise of Rumors," whose music video was pre-released, also ranked high on the daily chart at No. 5.

"Blooming" marks AKMU’s first full-length album in seven years since "Sailing" in 2019, and its first release after leaving longtime agency YG Entertainment, where the duo had spent 12 years since debut. Lee Chan-hyuk took charge of writing, composing and producing all tracks on the album.

▲ This album cover of sibling duo AKMU's fourth studio album "Blooming" is provided by Cemter of Inspiration. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

Centered on acoustic and country sounds, the album has been praised for evoking the duo’s early musical style, characterized by clear and heartfelt lyrics and minimal arrangements.

Music critic Jung Min-jae said the album recalls the duo’s “organic” early sound that impressed audiences when they first appeared on the audition program "K-pop Star 2."

“While their previous works under YG reflected refined, pop-oriented songs infused with AKMU’s sensibility, this album feels closer to their original, unprocessed style,” he said, describing it as distinctive music rooted in acoustic and country elements.

Another critic, Lim Hee-yun, also noted that AKMU pursued a simple and unembellished musical direction in the album.

In an album introduction, the duo said it sought to interpret the “sunlight” and “shadows” found in everyday life through its own perspective.

Lyrics written by Lee Chan-hyuk reflect AKMU’s signature warmth, portraying even the darker aspects of life with a gentle and hopeful gaze.

In "Joy, Sorrow, a Beautiful Heart," the duo sings, “After joy comes sorrow — that is a beautiful heart,” offering comfort to listeners. In "Paradise of Rumors," they suggest simple happiness with lines such as, “Take a seat for a moment / There’s warm soup and meat / Weary traveler / There are things you can never know in the city.”

The album also carries messages of peace and empathy. In "The Right Person," they sing about stopping conflict, while in "Refugees Are Coming," they address themes of displacement and coexistence.

Such messages come across as timely amid frequent news of war, offering listeners a sense of solace.

The emotional depth of the album is further underscored by the story behind its creation, as the siblings worked closely together to overcome a slump experienced by Lee Su-hyun during the preparation process.

“AKMU’s music in this album heals the hatred and pain experienced by modern people,” Lim said.

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