Rising South Korean act ALL(H)OURS continue to soar to new heights with their newest EP NO DOUBT, encapsulating the idea of moving forward with confidence even amidst uncertainities of where it's going. Brimming with resilience as seen in the title track "DEAD MAN WALKING," the project spans diverse genres and emotions as the group keep the creative momentum of their first North American tour going with the impact of their artistry.
In conversation with Earmilk, the group dive into how their sound has evolved, experimenting with genres, the rewarding moments of their journey so far and much more.
1) What’s the message/inspiration behind your new EP No Doubt?
KUNHO: This album carries the message of moving forward without doubting ourselves, even in the midst of anxiety and confusion. While preparing for the album, there were times when we doubted ourselves and faced uncertainty, but in those moments, we were able to keep going, thanks to Min(ut)es who have constantly supported us, as well as inspiration from our own passion and hard work. All of those experiences and processes are fully reflected in this album.
2) How has your sound evolved over time and where do you see it going from here?
ON:N: So far, we have been incorporating various genres into K-pop to create a sound that is uniquely ALL(H)OURS. Through our second and third albums, we have been establishing our identity with powerful noise music. Moving forward, we plan to continue expanding our musical spectrum by exploring various genres while developing stronger, more diverse sounds to support impactful performances.
3) What’s your personal favourite track from the EP and why?
KUNHO: Lately, I have been really into “Piece of Me.” I like how the lyrics have a double meaning and have a slightly sensual vibe. In particular, I really love the line, “If it's you, everything tastes sweet even if I drink all day,” which is from MASAMI’s part.
YOUMIN: My favorite is “Piece of Me.” I tend to enjoy listening to R&B, so that is why I like this track.
XAYDEN: “Cause I'm Insane” is my favorite! Not only did I participate in composition and lyric writing, but I also really like putting my own story into songs, and this track captures the ups and downs of my trainee days.
MINJE: I like “Piece of Me” because it is a style I already enjoy listening to, and it is also a song I felt satisfied with while recording.
MASAMI: My favorite is “My Spring, My Light, My Breath.” When I listen to this song, I become emotional, and it reminds me of the memories I have shared with Min(ut)e.
HYUNBIN: My favorite is “Cause I'm Insane,” because I think it is a song that really captures the emotions we went through during our trainee days.
ON:N: It would be “My Spring, My Light, My Breath.” It is a song that expresses our love for our fans, and because we wrote the lyrics ourselves, it carries even more of our sincerity, which makes it very special to me.
4) In terms of sound or concept, is there anything you’d like to experiment with in future that you haven’t yet had a chance to?
YOUMIN: We have not yet released a track that fully embraces a hip-hop sound. I would especially like to build a track over a boom bap style beat, and if given an opportunity, I would love to show a more cool and edgy side of ALL(H)OURS.
5) You recently wrapped up your first North American tour? What was that experience like and any stand out moments or highlights you’d like to mention?
XAYDEN: I have always been very interested in North America and its culture, so being able to directly experience the culture and vibe through the tour made me really happy. Every moment on stage still feels vivid in my memory.
HYUNBIN: Since it was our first North American tour, it provided a completely new experience. It was also my first time visiting North America, and the food, the scenery, and even the weather all left strong impressions on me. Most of all, the moments when Min(ut)es in North America showed us so much love and support are what I remember the most.
6) On the topic of touring, what’s your favourite part of the experience besides of course getting to engage with fans?
MINJE: Performing and communicating with fans is the best part, but aside from that, I really enjoy exploring each city and trying delicious local food.
7) What’s been the most rewarding moment of your musical journey?
HYUNBIN: I think our debut was the most rewarding and proud moment. It was the moment when all of us, after years of hard training, were finally able to stand in front of the public and our fans.
8) In 3 words, how would you describe ALL(H)OURS to someone who is tuning into your music for the first time?
MASAMI: Coolness, unexpected charm, and skill. Honestly, we have it all.
Connect with ALL (H)OURS : Instagram
