Windy (EP) explained

Windy
Type:ep
Artist:Soyeon
Cover:Jeon So-yeon - Windy.jpg
Caption:Digital cover
Recorded:2020–2021
Studio:Doobdoob Studio (Seoul)
Length:14:04
Label:

Windy is the debut extended play by South Korean rapper and record producer Soyeon. It was released digitally on July 5, 2021, and physically on July 6, 2021, through Cube Entertainment and Republic Records. Windy consists of five tracks, including the lead single "Beam Beam". The album introduces Soyeon's alter ego Windy, who explores her current and dream 20's.

Background

On May 21, 2021, it was reported that Soyeon would be releasing a solo album after 4 years.[1] In an interview with Vogue Korea for the July edition, Soyeon expressed the difference between Windy and her group's albums, "(G)I-dle is meaningful in itself, but I couldn't show everything I wanted to do. I made music that suits (G)I-dle, and the music that fans want. Even before my debut, the music I wanted to do on my own was piled up. I picked it up and put it in this album." To Soyeon, Windy is her other self, describing her as "a friend who is as free as the wind and doesn't care about others."[2]

Artwork and packaging

The Windy package design is reminiscent of a fast food takeout box. It features a cartoon character, which is a parody of the Wendy's mascot, carrying a flag with a hamburger on it.[3] The EP comes with a booklet, CD, CD package, lyric paper, postcard, photo card, mini photo stand, membership card, sticker, coaster and poster which is only available for pre-order.[4] The album was produced in limited physical copies, making the product sold out only after a few months of release.

Composition

Windy is an album released from the perspective of Soyeon's alter ego, a free soul like the wind, which contains songs of various genres and unique concepts. The opening song "Beam Beam" is a pop rock and hip hop song expressing the sun's rays, heralding the birth of an all-time summer song.[5] "Weather" was a previously unreleased song that fans have been waiting for, first hinted on KakaoTV's where she made an appearance on the show.[6] "Quit" has been described as a song that anyone can enjoy comfortably, while "Psycho" is a song with impressive beats. The last track, "Is This Bad B****** Number?", featuring Bibi and winner of High School Rapper 3s Lee Young-ji, is a song that shows the chemistry of Generation Z, described in a press release.[5]

Promotion

On June 17, Cube released an artwork teaser containing a character wearing a chef's hat and a hamburger flag as an illustration with a yellow background and mint colour fonts and the phrase 'Grand Open 2021.07.05 18:00 (KST)'.[7] On June 21, a concept teaser video with background music titled "Windy Burger" composed and written by Soyeon was released.[8] [9] The following day, a promotional schedule for the album was released through her official group homepage and social media.[10] Soyeon then released Blooming Windy Day 1 and Day 2, documentary videos featuring her family, co-workers, producers, staff member, childhood friends, showing off her daily life and work as an "artist idol" with composing, writing and producing skills, and the contents of her first mini-album Windy.[11] On June 28 and 29, Soyeon released four concept images showing her chameleon-like side hip image in kitsch fashion with intense eyes and a provocative expression,[12] fatal and chic image.[13] An album preview with snippets of the EP's tracks was uploaded on July 1.[5] Two music video teasers for the title track, "Beam Beam", have been posted before its release on July 3 and 4.[14] [15]

To commemorate the release of the album, the global entertainment platform Makestar and Dearmymuse opened the one-on-one video call event page.[16] [17]

Track listing

All tracks were written solo by Soyeon while it was composed and arranged by Soyeon and Pop Time otherwise noted.

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[18] 7

Release history

Release dates and formats for Windy
RegionDateFormatLabel
VariousJuly 5, 2021
July 6, 2021CD

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [단독] (여자)아이들→솔로 출격…전소연, 6월 4년만 솔로 컴백]. [Alone] (G)I-DLE → Solo...Jeon So-yeon will be back as a solo artist in June after 4 years.. ko. JoyNews24. May 21, 2021. May 21, 2021.
  2. Web site: https://www.vogue.co.kr/2021/06/25/%ec%86%8c%ec%97%b0%ec%9d%98-%eb%98%90-%eb%8b%a4%eb%a5%b8-%ec%9e%90%ec%95%84-windy. ko:소연의 또 다른 자아, 'Windy'. Soyeon's other self, 'Windy'. ko. Vogue Korea. Kim. Na-Rang. June 25, 2021. 2021-06-28.
  3. Web site: (G)-IDLE's Soyeon unveils title and release date for new solo mini-album. Angela. Patricia Suacillo. June 16, 2021. NME. 2021-06-22.
  4. Web site: [Promotion Event] Jeon Soyeon - 1st Mini Album [Windy]]. 2021-06-22. www.ktown4u.com.
  5. Web site: (여자)아이들 전소연, '윈디'로 여름 강타 예고. ko. (G)I-DLE's Jeon So-yeon predicts a summer hit with 'Windy'. Oh. Yoon-joo. My Daily. July 1, 2021. July 5, 2021.
  6. Web site: https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2021020710090002662?did=NA. ko:'페이스아이디' (여자)아이들 소연, 녹음실 비하인드→타로 마니아 일상 공개. ‘Face ID’ (G)I-DLE’s Soyeon, behind the scenes recording studio → Daily Tarot Mania revealed. ko. Hnkookilbo. Park. Seo-hyun. February 7, 2021. 2021-06-30.
  7. Web site: http://pop.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=202106170707152628546_1. ko:(여자)아이들 전소연, 7월 5일 솔로 컴백..첫 미니 앨범 'Windy' 발매[공식]. (G)I-DLE Jeon So-yeon, solo comeback on July 5.. Release of first mini-album 'Windy'[Official]. ko. HeraldPop. Cheon. Yoon-hye. June 17, 2021. June 21, 2021.
  8. Web site: Songs Registered Under SO YEON (소연/전소연) (10012941). Korea Music Copyright Association. ko.
  9. Web site: https://www.wowtv.co.kr/NewsCenter/News/Read?articleId=A202106210190&t=NN. ko:(여자)아이들 전소연, `Windy`(윈디) 콘셉트 티저 비디오 공개. (G)I-DLE's Jeon So-yeon, 'Windy' concept teaser video released. ko. Korea Economic TV. Yoo. Byung-cheol. June 21, 2021. June 21, 2021.
  10. Web site: http://tvdaily.asiae.co.kr/read.php3?aid=16243147541594381010. ko:(여자)아이들 전소연, 컴백 준비 끝→'윈디' 스케줄러 공개. (G)I-DLE Jeon So-yeon, comeback preparations complete → 'Windy' scheduler released. ko. TV Daily. Hwang. Seo-yeon. June 22, 2021. June 21, 2021.
  11. Web site: https://www.hankyung.com/entertainment/article/202106255262I. ko:(여자)아이들 전소연, 신보 'Windy' 비하인드 스토리 공개.. (G)I-DLE Jeon So-yeon reveals the story behind the new album 'Windy'.. ko. Korea Economic Daily. Lee. Jun-hyun. June 25, 2021. 2021-06-28.
  12. Web site: https://www.tvreport.co.kr/2073082. ko:전소연, 'Windy' 콘셉트 이미지 대방출...힙한 매력 폭발. Jeon So-yeon, 'Windy' concept image released... hip charm explosion. ko. TvReport. Ha. Na Ha. June 25, 2021. 2021-06-28.
  13. Web site: http://sports.khan.co.kr/entertainment/sk_index.html?art_id=202106291321003&sec_id=540301&pt=nv. ko:‘팔색조’ 전소연. Jeon So-yeon from 'Eight Colors'. ko. Sports Khan. Kim. Hye-jeong. June 29, 2021. 2021-06-30.
  14. Web site: (G)I-DLE's Soyeon plays a disgruntled fast food worker in teaser for 'BEAM BEAM'. Angela. Patricia Suacillo. July 2, 2021. NME. July 5, 2021.
  15. Web site: 전소연, '삠삠' 두 번째 MV 티저 오픈...러블리 힙 정석. ko. Jeon So-yeon opens the 2nd MV teaser for 'Spink'... Lovely hip staple. Son. Jin-ah. Maeil Business Newspaper. July 3, 2021. July 5, 2021.
  16. Web site: https://twitter.com/Makestarcorp/status/1407216784500039685. ko:#전소연 #JEON_SOYEON #Windy 1st Mini Album [Windy] Video Call Event. @Makestarcorp. Twitter. June 22, 2021. July 5, 2021.
  17. Web site: https://twitter.com/dearmymuse_foru/status/1410432988613988354. ko:WINDY VIDEO CALL EVENT. @dearmymuse_foru. Twitter. July 1, 2021. July 5, 2021.
  18. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – Week 28, 2021. Gaon Chart. ko. July 15, 2021.