Xdinary Heroes release 'IMPULSE', their first album as a 5-member group

The band Xdinary Heroes will release their ninth mini-album 'IMPULSE' on the 12th at 6 PM. This is their first new release as a 5-member system consisting of JUNGSU, GAON, O.de, Jun Han, and JOOYEON after GUN-IL left the team last August. Their agency, JYP Entertainment, stated that this album contains the hopes, anxieties, desires, and impulses of youth. The title track 'Obsessed with Youth' sings of the longing and unstable emotions of youth. The members conveyed the message of the album, saying, "Whether the emotions that come are positive or negative, we hope people accept them as they are and do not deny their own hearts." This new album is characterized by music with a brighter atmosphere than their previous work and a composition that highlights the individuality of each member's performance and vocals.

The first album released as a 5-member system

'IMPULSE' is the first album released by Xdinary Heroes as a 5-member system. The team consists of JUNGSU, GAON, O.de, Jun Han, and JOOYEON. The agency announced that the album will be released on the 12th at 6 PM. This work is the group's ninth mini-album and includes a total of 7 songs, including the title track. The members explained that it contains a brighter atmosphere than their previous work 'DEAD AND' and that they focused on bringing out their respective characteristics in performance and vocals.

At the time, an agency official stated that Xdinary Heroes is preparing with the goal of a comeback next month and plans to hold a concert in November. The new release announced at that time was introduced as the first album following GUN-IL's departure. There was also an explanation from a concert official that a session musician would handle the drum performance at the concert. Following this, as the album name, included songs, and title track were revealed ahead of the release on the 12th, the specific composition of the first new album as a 5-member system was made known. This album also includes songs in which the members participated in writing and composing.

Title track capturing the longing and anxiety of youth

The title track 'Obsessed with Youth' takes the longing and unstable emotions of youth as its theme. While working on the song, the members cited "an overwhelming heart full of hope and the anxiety that coexists within it" as the emotions they felt most strongly. They continued, "Since we ourselves are also passing through a youth that wavers between conflicting emotions, just like the title track, we were able to work with deep immersion." Along with the album name 'IMPULSE', the keyword put forward is desire. The members conveyed a message of expressing various emotions felt by humans through music and accepting them as they are, regardless of whether they are positive or negative.

The members explained that rather than showing only a polished image on stage, they focused on revealing the emotions they are currently experiencing. They stated, "Even if it is somewhat unrefined, we think that fully revealing the emotions that can only be experienced during this period is the best way to express them." In the album introduction previously released through the agency, it was also mentioned that it contains a brighter atmosphere than the previous work and that attention was paid to bringing out the individuality of each member's performance and vocals. The sentiment of overwhelming hope and the anxiety coexisting within it in the title track aligns with the emotions the members directly cited during the working process. The members said they worked by connecting the theme of the song with the emotions of the youth they are currently going through.

Different sounds contained in seven songs

The album includes 'Obsessed with Youth', as well as 'Give Up The Ghost', 'Slashhh!', 'u and me in arguments', 'You Right There', 'Love in dystopia', and 'Breathe in, Breathe out'. The members participated in the lyrics and composition of several songs and varied the arrangement and performance methods for each song.

O.de explained the change in arrangement for 'Breathe in, Breathe out'. He said, "At first, it was a song with a very grand atmosphere, but we reinterpreted it with an acoustic arrangement." GAON picked 'u and me in arguments', which is characterized by a rough band sound. JOOYEON chose 'Give Up The Ghost' as the song they want to play directly at concert venues. They explained that besides the title track, each member had different included songs they took note of, and they created differences in the arrangement and performance methods for each song.

Experience with festivals and overseas stages

Xdinary Heroes have participated in various stages, including world tours, the American music festival Lollapalooza Chicago, and BuRock. They also took the opening stage at the concert in Korea by the British rock band Muse. Among various domestic and overseas performances, the members picked Lollapalooza Chicago as a particularly memorable stage. This is because it was the first large-scale festival they stood on overseas and a stage they had dreamed of for a long time. The members said, "It was truly meaningful as it was the first large-scale festival we stood on overseas and a stage we had dreamed of for a long time," adding, "It is such a precious memory that I enjoy wearing my Lollapalooza T-shirt to this day."

Reflections on Lollapalooza Chicago were also conveyed in the previously released album introduction. The members picked all the performances shared with the audience as memorable moments and explained that the festival was their first large-scale stage overseas and a performance they had long looked forward to. The opening for Muse's concert in Korea, BuRock, and the world tour are also stages they have participated in.

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