One factor I didn’t count on in 2025 was to see SALTNPAPER launch an EP. His final launch was Extra Than Simply Circles (2018). seaweed soup feels like a pure continuation of that launch, however there’s additionally a unique weight within the music.
SALTNPAPER began in 2013 below this acoustic, folks, and rock fashion. However like lots of his releases, his previous MYK work nonetheless reveals up right here and there, like in “Broken.” I actually thought SALTNPAPER retired from music exterior his OST work. However in 2025, I understand that older artists are wanted an increasing number of amongst new trend-chasing artists.
seaweed soup is immediately recognizable to anybody who’s listened to SALTNPAPER earlier than. “Damaged Strains” cements this firmly from the primary vocal verse. There’s an underlying melancholy that accompanies the instrumentals. And like most of SALTNPAPER’s songs, it feels trustworthy and naked.
To me, SALTNPAPER is a counterpoint and companion to Huge Phony. It was like two sides of an identical story. Two Korean Individuals who lived in South Korea and created artwork throughout their experiences there. Each tales are essential, they usually additionally illustrate how the paths had been completely different.
I can say that “Flare” additionally opens like a Huge Phony monitor. However each tune on seaweed soup presents SALTNPAPER’s fashion spectrum. It’s nearly like a “better of” for his fashion due to the vary of songs. I’m wondering when these songs had been initially written as a result of they sound like chapter markers.
And whereas I like SALTNPAPER’s “customary fashion” songs, once I obtained to “Blue Parade,” it felt like one thing nostalgic and one thing new on the similar time. Considered one of SALTNPAPER’s parts is that issues are all the time shifting from verse to verse. However “Blue Parade” felt like he was taking his time. And letting a scene play out solely by the tune.
I believe everybody ought to take heed to seaweed soup as a result of SALTNPAPER is a superb artist who writes superb songs. However I additionally assume it’s an EP that youthful Korean diaspora artists ought to take heed to. There’s rather a lot to get pleasure from right here. I’m wondering if there’s ever going to be extra SALTNPAPER, however I’m glad this confirmed up this 12 months.
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Chris P
Korean Indie proprietor and Editor at Massive. Consistently in search of new music and dealing on library parity on Spotify and YouTube Music.
