Behind the smiling face, these songs: revisiting YENA’s first solo year

The song that opens her first mini album ‘SMiLEY’, released on January 17, 2022. YENA took part in writing the lyrics and music, and the official introduction describes it as music carrying her sincere feelings toward her fans. Over roughly 3 minutes 27 seconds, you can hear the frame of mind in which she began her solo career, before the flashy title track. Choose it when there’s someone you want to send words of encouragement to, or when you’re curious about the very first steps of a singer you’ve long liked. Listening to it followed by the next song, ‘SMILEY’, becomes a comparison between quietly conveyed feelings and energy spread outward. It’s a choice that reopens the first page of a record you may have remembered only by its debut song.

‘SMILEY’ is the second track and title song of her solo debut album. BIBI features on it, and both YENA’s and BIBI’s names appear in the lyric credits. It’s a song that sets the attitude of trying to get through hard moments with a smile against a bright melody, and it sits at the center of getting to know YENA’s first solo impression. Over roughly 2 minutes 53 seconds, hear what fun the difference between the two singers’ voices adds. The official music video, longer than the song, is a separate thing to enjoy. If you came over from the BIBI list, you might also pay attention to how two very different artists meet in this song.

The third song on her first mini album, with YENA taking part in the lyrics. The credits also list Jonathan Sim on guitar and bass, along with gang vocals that YENA joined. As you listen to the roughly 3-minute track, notice how it differs from the bright expression you remember from ‘SMILEY’. The official introduction for the next album, ‘SMARTPHONE’, describes ‘WithOrWithOut’ as a work that follows this song with even stronger music. Gathering the two songs and listening to them together lets you trace the rock direction that has continued since her first solo year. For anyone who only knew the debut title track, it’s a clue to finding another voice.

‘PRETTY BOYS’ is the fourth track of the debut album. YENA’s name appears in the lyric credits alongside Ahn Young-ju, Joia and 72. Tobias Näslund and Kirubel Swedin handled the track production, and credits for guitar, bass, synthesizer and more are listed. Over roughly 3 minutes 26 seconds, listen for how the momentum of the preceding song shifts into a different impression. It suits anyone who wants to find the songs that got less attention in the shadow of the familiar title track. It becomes a listen that goes beyond treating the solo debut album as a simple image introduction and takes in YENA’s creative participation as well.

‘VACAY’, the last song of the debut album, runs 3 minutes 46 seconds, the longest breath among the five tracks. pollock produced the track, and Lee Seong-chan’s bass and Jung Su-wan’s guitar appear in the credits. The lyricists are Kang Eun-jung and 72, which also makes clear that YENA didn’t write every lyric on the album. If you’ve listened to the record from the start, it’s worth checking what kind of feeling the final song leaves behind. It becomes a place to catch your breath before moving on to the second album that came out the following summer.

‘SMARTPHONE’, released on August 3, 2022, opens with this ballad before its flashy title track. The official introduction points to piano, strings and emotive vocals as the song’s features. At roughly 4 minutes 11 seconds, it’s the longest track on the second mini album, which makes it good for calmly following YENA’s singing. The premise of a message sent to the flowers waiting for the Smile Hero is another clue for listening. If you only remember her lively stages, the first track is worth feeling for its different texture. Listen to it together with the next song, which calls up a game inside a phone, and you’ll enjoy how widely the mood shifts within a single record.

The title track of her second mini album looks, through YENA’s eyes, at the smartphone that has taken over daily life and the place of a friend. It’s a pop rock song led by electric guitar, drums and electric bass, and the official introduction emphasizes its refreshing energy. Over roughly 3 minutes 18 seconds, hear how an everyday tool turns into a kind of fun inside the music. Though it was a summer release, it’s also good to pull out when you want to lift your mood while on the move. In the music video, it expands into the image of a game hero. Get to know the flow of the song first and then add the visuals, and you’ll find it easier to enjoy the connection between the record and the video.

The third track of ‘SMARTPHONE’ is a rock song centered on drums and electric guitar. The official song introduction explains that it deals with the complicated feelings of drifting apart from a friend who was always there. Listen while recalling the experience of resenting someone and still caring about them at the same time. Following the momentum the vocals carry over roughly 3 minutes 12 seconds, the two choices in the title may sound more intriguing. Rather than labeling it simply a love song, paying attention to a changing friendship is a good clue for listening. If you liked ‘Lxxk 2 U’ from the first album, it’s an album track worth seeking out next.

The fourth song’s name joins Lemon and Aid, calling to mind a friend whose company gives you strength. The official introduction highlights its combination of 1990s-style uptempo music with piano and bass. At a short 2 minutes 40 seconds, it’s a good pick when you want a brighter mood during a quick break. Rather than taking the title merely as the name of a drink, think of the person who becomes your time of recovery. Where the preceding ‘WithOrWithOut’ looked at a friend who had drifted away, this song shifts attention to the strength that friendship gives. Listening to the two songs side by side widens the story of relationships on the same album.

The second mini album closes with its fifth song, ‘U’. It’s a pop track with drum beats, percussion and brass added, and the official introduction points to a melody reminiscent of a musical and a positive outlook on love. Over roughly 3 minutes 25 seconds, imagine the feeling of everything around you looking different when you like someone. If you remembered her first solo year only by its two title tracks, listening all the way to the music placed at the end of the record widens the range of her voice. Choose it as a final song when you want to leave a pleasant afterglow.