As the piano creeps in, slowly, methodically, the first song of Jhung Kim's Always The End crescendos to the voice of a woman eerily welcoming us to this musical funeral.
Once Bound You Are Now Free
Within the first 23 seconds of Jhung's 8-minute EP, he channels Kanye West's "Runaway" with his use of the piano and "Monster" with the Nicki Minaj like intro.
But he does not stop there.
In only 8 minutes, Jhung puts together what can only be described as a Modern Indie Mixtape.
With shades of the Kanye West creative genius, spoken interjections of Jaden, choirs reminiscent of Chance, and sounds like Tim Atlas and Tom Misch, Jhung's only published EP is a must-listen.
JHUNG IS DEAD! (Intro)
Is it "Runaway", is it "Monster", is it "All of the Lights Interlude"?
As the female voice welcomes Jhung to the end, claiming he is free forever, arriving at the beginning of the end, like Jaden, Jhung breaks the rhythm of the song to make it known that, though he is saying goodbye to this musical persona, there is still much he wants to say.
Wait, wait, wait wait wait wait wait, wait, wait a minute Slow down Are you not gonna ask me if I have any last words or something? 'Cause I do One of them is *bleep* you But also um –
The next 7 mins are Jhung's elaboration on just that: his coming to grips with the end of his musical career as it seemingly is just starting.
Reminiscent of Jaden's "SYRE", where the first four tracks B, L, U, and E, seamlessly weave into one large piece, "JHUNG IS DEAD!", unbeknownst to the first time listeners, leads directly into "Always Ends".
Always Ends
Softening his harsh words, "Always Ends", begins with a long list of mournful pleas.
Could I take back all the things I've said? Everything that you've seen me do Every moment we've spent together Everything that we've been through Maybe I wanted to think you cared Wanted to think it could be true It's always the end when I see things different Always the end when I see you.
These pleas fade into a rhythmic, upbeat ragtimey piano and harmonies of a choir reminiscent of Chance the Rapper and his Coloring Book album.
He layers in the conversational sounds that took place during the recording process, and just as the song ends, he joins the choir in a moment where he sounds like Rex Orange County on "Happiness".
Begging his muse to not forget about him, the song ends as a tape has run out: the tape deck popping open and needing to be flipped over. Reminiscent of a rap mixtape, the transition into song three, "Don't Hurry", marks the halfway point in this musical obituary.
Don't Hurry
A feature on my forthcoming "Indie Rapped Christmas" playlist, the rhythmic melodies and Jhung's light vocals lead listeners to also wonder "where did it go"?
The sound makes you sway, to slow down and lean into the grainy, Tom Misch like, texture applied to the song. With vocals and a soundscape that likens Jhung to Tim Atlas, there is so much to find in "Don't Hurry".
As he layers in the drums, the sound of "Don't Hurry" holds listeners in a suspended belief that at any moment someone could come in with a few bars of deep, introspective Childish Gambino-esque lyrics.
But that never comes.
Where did it go? And are you listening? Through all these songs I write, the pieces fall apart Say my goodbye And are you leaving? Do you not see that we've been running from the start?
Instead, Jhung speaks on the impending doom he sees on the horizon in his relationship with his musical persona. Though he is ready for it to be over and find peace, he knows, he will only face pain in this journey's eventual end, so there is no rush.
Once again, in mixtape like fashion, Jhung samples what sounds like a 50s black and white film as one character explains he will not follow the other into assured death, yet, splicing in a different sample, that same person should not hesitate to call on him if need be.
Clearly, grappling with the complex emotions that come with knowing you must end a relationship but wanting to avoid the feelings of despair and anguish, Jhung does not fully close the door on a possible return to this life he is seemingly drawing to a close.
See Me
As the autotuned vocals begin this track, "See Me" begins in a way that caress readers into a tender deep cut, only to be ripped from this moment of tender emotion to hear
Nah that was pretty [----], run it back.
The drums hit and the beat changes to a rhythmic covering up of the same deep cut. Seemingly softening the blow from the lyrics, "See Me" provides the listener a soundscape to get lost in.
With emotions swirling, the violin in "See Me" provides a beautiful backdrop for the pensive brooding the past three tracks have aroused.
TELL ME ITS OVER (epilogue)
The song begins with a tape deck being opened, and a tape being inserted.
As Jhung hums along, similar to Kanye on the end of his track "Runaway", there are no real audible words to be heard. Just simple rumbles and rhythmic musings that can only demonstrate that as the 8 minute Ep comes to a close, along with his listeners, Jhung is left contemplating what he has just said and what is yet to come.
And like that, its over.
It's short. It's fleeing. Yet, in 8 minutes, Jhung brings listeners to what is supposed to be the funeral of his stage persona, but, with the musical talent on display, one can only hope that the door left open on "Don't Hurry", is open just enough for Jhung to call himself back and continue his music.
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