Mudd the student branches out from his role in the alternative K-pop collective Balming Tiger, solidifying his own individual sound with his first solo album LAGEON. Seven music videos relating to songs featured on the 14 track album will also be released sequentially.
The album captures Mudd’s layered sense of self and his generation, becoming an honest musical journey toward self-discovery. From his humble beginnings in Gijang, Mudd felt closed off from the rest of the world within what seemed like a distant, icy rural town. He turned to the internet to find others to connect with and bond over his abstract music sensibilities. He began exploring punk, hip-hop, IDM, pop, and many other genres that contribute to the genre-blurring sound that shines through on LAGEON.
At the heart of the album are the discoveries that Mudd made on the internet. Through his sleuthing and scouring he realised that his ability to access memories of the past reinforced his place within a “rootless generation.” LAGEON embodies the frustration, disappointment, and pain of that realisation channeling into an expression of his reflections, transformation, and reinvention.
While exploring the internet opened new doors for him to make positive musical discoveries and sparking his interest in making bold, boundary breaking beats, at times, it was also a place that could be shrouded in hatred and negativity with the unsolicited hate comments that were scattered under videos and posts.
The duality of that digital realm and the contrasts that Mudd held toward it stand at the forefront of this record as the lyrics capture the sentiment flawlessly. The record delves into how digital and real worlds intersect, the marks they leave, and the cycles of hurt and healing in relationships as Mudd aims to move beyond his hardships and find understanding.
Written, composed, and produced by Mudd alongside co-producer JNKYRD, the duo works together to construct soundscapes that transcend the confines of genre. Led by the intense emotion and strong message of the album, each song takes on a different style most suited to impact listeners the most. From noisy electronic textures and hip-hop elements to gritty 1990s alternative rock, this record takes listeners on a sonic journey.
At the heart of the album are the three focus tracks, 'Undertaker,' 'Phoenix,' and 'Best Thing' that carry their own emotional narratives, and with contributions from Parannoul, Harto Falión, and that same street, the album blends musical explorations and cultures to deepen its experimental, immersive sound.
The visual and creative direction behind the album was led by none other than Balming Tiger member Hong Chanhee. Each of the seven music videos that accompany the tracks, '123', 'cache', 'Undertaker', 'Phoenix', 'K-Pg', 'Best Thing' and 'Fireman', are a visual representation of the deep and introspective messages wrapped in the unique musical styles that bring the album's distinct sound to life.
The music videos embody the sonic versatility of the record by employing various mediums and creative directions such as animation, home video, and short film — made possible by Balming Tiger’s video director Jan’ Qui, young Japanese filmmaker Malloon, and U.K.-based animator Luke.
Being such a personal piece of work, LAGEON does not aim to prove anything but stands as a documentation of emotions, experiences, and growth that Mudd has undergone in his life. Since his youth in the quiet town of Gijang to dominating stages with Balming Tiger and even with establishing himself as a solo artist, it is an audio journal that encapsulates the loneliness, pain, and reflection that Mudd has undergone.
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