Life brings its own share of happiness and sorrow; this is precisely those fleeting moments that the group 몰라시스템 (molar system) attempted to capture with 시스템 오작동 (system malfunction), their very first EP released last Friday.
Everything started for the three-member group when the producers PopcornTvGulchan & 박진영 (Park Jinyoung) joined the singer sannie (산희) for a school project.
This experience revealed that they had great chemistry, and therefore, the idea of starting their own group had lingered for the past 2-3 years and finally came true this year with the release of their pre-release single GREENROOM<3 on March 31st.
I. An interesting dynamic
The dynamic between the members is indeed quite interesting.
sannie (산희), the Singer and Songwriter, writes the lyrics and the melodies, and sometimes comes up with the chord progressions or the song structures.
As for the instrumentals, PopcornTvGulchan is the main producer of the band. He also plays the Synth and is responsible for adding the final touch by elevating the productions with interesting sound effects as well as handling the mixing and mastering.
박진영 (Park Jinyoung) also actively takes part in the production in addition to playing the Bass and the Guitar. He is the one behind 비행공포 (Fear of Flying) or P.32 beats.
If you give a listen to sannie (산희) & PopcornTvGulchan’s solo musical activities, you will notice that a collaboration between the three members was not necessarily obvious.
Their respective projects explore very different soundscapes, and that may be part of their strengths.
This broad scope of influences also shines through their current musical rotation.
Lately, 박진영 (Park Jinyoung) has been listening to artists like Mura Masa or Dev Lemons. PopcornTvGulchan to Mk.gee, Dijon, or Earl Sweatshirt’s new album, while sannie (산희) has been enjoying Caroline Polachek, The Dø, Frou Frou, and Lily Allen.
There is no wonder that 시스템 오작동 (system malfunction) is such a rich project!
II. A Variety of Themes & Soundscapes
From GREENROOM<3 to 잔디 (don’t wash me off your jeans), 몰라시스템 (molar system) explores a variety of sonorities, drawing influences from genres such as Indie Rock, Free Jazz, DnB, Russian Post Punk, Shoegaze, or even Dreamcore.
This variety of vibes directly resonates with the thematics explored throughout the EP.
The most striking examples would probably be songs such as the combination of L=1/2ρV²SCL and 비행공포 (Fear of Flying) or P.32.
Named after the lift equation, L=1/2ρV²SCL could be described as an introduction to 비행공포 (Fear of Flying), the song right after. Produced by PopcornTvGulchan, there is a fascinating liminal feel to L=1/2ρV²SCL. With its wave samples, along with the dreamlike synth and the sound of children playing outside, the song is quite soothing at first, but the more it progresses, the more you can’t help but feel a slight uneasiness growing in you. Those contradictory feelings directly resonate with the theme explored in 비행공포 (Fear of Flying).
비행공포 (Fear of Flying) was written on an instrumental produced by 박진영 (Park Jinyoung). If you listen closely to the instrumental, you can notice a fascinating chord progression spiced up by an abrasive guitar as well as a striking rhythmical pattern change inspired by Free Jazz.
This instrumental reminded sannie (산희) of films with highly deconstructed plots, which inspired her to write something special:
« That inspired me to write something special—lyrics that shift constantly through different scenes. I wanted the song to feel dramatic, filled with intensity and strong emotions. In the end, I decided to center it around feminism. »
비행공포 (Fear of Flying) could indeed be interpreted as a shout, a shout for women to be able to be themselves unapologetically, tackling topics such as the acceptance of the feminine desire and the guilt that has been forced on them.
Similarly, P.32 reflects on the alienation of those labeled “eccentric“.
One night, as sannie (산희) was about to fall asleep, she suddenly got struck by a thought:
« Maybe all of our feelings hide between our organs during the day and only come out at night.»
She thus began to write the lyrics based on this idea, and then came the instrumental.
The march-like drums can be seen as an allegory of this pressure to conform to social expectations. At the same time, the psychedelic guitar could be a mirror of those repressed feelings, repressed feelings that sannie (산희) finally let all out on the hook with a moody singing.
There is a vivid and youthful edge to 시스템 오작동 (system malfunction). The group also explores themes such as love or the irrational behaviors it can lead to, respectively in 잔디 (don’t wash me off your jeans) and Mess, or more generally, the anxiety that one can feel facing the uncertainty of the future in GREENROOM<3.
III. Writing process
If sannie (산희) writes all the lyrics, she explained that they still collectively discuss the big concept of the album, as well as all the small details or visuals. She also actively works on reflecting PopcornTvGulchan & 박진영 (Park Jinyoung)’s perceptions through her texts:
« I try to get some inspiration from the other members before I start writing. I usually ask them a lot of questions about their personal lives, thoughts, and feelings. »
IV. Just Like a Slice-of-Life Movie
Vibrant and delicate, each song of 시스템 오작동 (system malfunction) feels like a different scene from a slice-of-life movie.
From spoken vocals on MESS to passionate singing on Fear of Flying (비행공포), sannie (산희)’s singing is enthralling, almost hypnotic, while PopcornTvGulchan & 박진영 (Park Jinyoung)’s work on the productions conveys a captivating sense of immediacy.
In short, a very promising first EP!
