It’s been a fiery summer for South Korean trio SYOT. Not content with their July release ‘Kish’, the group returned a couple of weeks ago with ‘Euljiro’, a piece that traces a delicate balance between the past and the future. After all, that’s what the project has always stood for: a cross-genre journey not afraid to step into unknown territories. In ‘Euljiro’, we get the best of both worlds, with malleable synths and jazzy melodies all woven into a hypnotic recipe.
Compared to its predecessors (the likes of ‘Seesaw’ or ‘PADO’), ‘Euljiro’ finds its sonic skeleton and cultural reference in club-oriented beats, with a funk-esque four-to-the-floor beat moving into chill and electronica territories. SYOT’s signature Gayageum goodness (performed by the ever-talented Lee Yoolim) adds tons of character and a strong retro Korean allure. G.QOO does a great job on the production as always, and Park Hanbeen gifts the record a wealth of soulful electric piano.
From a lyrical standpoint, ‘Euljiro’ is named after the Seoul avenue of the same name, a street where the past often meets modernity, translating into a nostalgic yet timeless vibe. As SYOT explains: “Old signs, ageing machinery, and narrow alleys are gradually filled with new music and new faces. By day, the sounds of printing presses and tools echo through the streets; by night, lights, music, and voices take their place.” Just like the South Korean group itself: a functional fusion between tradition and futurism.
Recommended! Discover ‘Euljiro’ now: