Following a six-year break, Taeyang is again, and he’s kicking off an thrilling new period of his profession with “Vibe,” an upbeat love music that options Jimin of BTS — and it’s only a trace of all of the upcoming music he has in retailer.

In South Korea, Taeyang has been a family identify since making it massive as a part of the trailblazing Okay-pop boy group Huge Bang, whose 2012 launch Alive was the primary Korean-language album to debut on the Billboard 200. In 2010, Taeyang — born Dong Youngbae — put out his first solo album Photo voltaic, which featured hits like “Wedding ceremony Gown.” His second solo album Rise made waves in 2014, changing into the best charting Okay-pop album by a soloist on the Billboard 200, and songs just like the easy “Eyes, Nostril, Lips” stay classics. However followers have been eagerly anticipating new music since 2017, when Taeyang launched his final album White Night time, earlier than heading off in 2018 to finish necessary army service in South Korea.

Fortunately, Taeyang is able to give his followers what they’ve been ready for. On Jan. 13, he’s releasing “Vibe,” a music that’s enjoyable and upbeat, and that may immediately make any listener wish to rise up and dance. It’s a pleasant distinction to the R&B tracks he’s identified for, and someway it feels nostalgic and classy on the similar time. On prime of all that, the observe options Jimin of BTS, who, like Taeyang, is named a multi-faceted artist who can sing and dance. A collaboration with any members of Huge Bang and BTS felt nearly not possible at one level, and but right here we’re.

A day earlier than the discharge of “Vibe,” Rolling Stone met with Taeyang within the Hapjeong space of Seoul. Sitting within the places of work of THEBLACKLABEL, the affiliate of his longtime residence YG Leisure that he simply signed to, Taeyang opened up about how his collaboration with Jimin occurred and shared what he’s been as much as since finishing his necessary army service in 2019. On the finish of our dialog, he factors to a Chrome Hearts Rolling Stones bracelet he’s sporting. “This was one of many first items my members purchased me,” he says. He put it on as a technique to have fun his Rolling Stone interview.

First issues first, congratulations! You have got so many followers which have been ready for brand spanking new music. Is there a particular second that made you resolve it was time to return?
Thanks. I believe the principle factor was that the music itself was prepared. Following the transition from YG to THEBLACKLABEL, I used to be in a position to instantly put every part I had ready into movement.

It appears like a brand new begin. How do you are feeling proper now, at some point forward of the discharge?
Actually, any time a launch date approaches, I believe I’ve the identical feeling: I really feel actually nervous and in addition actually fearful. However alternatively, I’m very excited excited about assembly with followers because it’s been so lengthy and I’m trying ahead to it.

“Vibe” options Jimin of BTS. Are you able to stroll us by means of how the collaboration happened? I heard Jimin admires your work.
I had heard that for some time, too. Nonetheless, we by no means overlapped whereas selling music so I wasn’t totally conscious. About two years in the past, although, Teddy at THEBLACKLABEL was watching me work — that was at a time when the BTS members weren’t doing many solo actions — and Teddy talked about in passing that he thought individuals would actually take pleasure in it if I acquired along with Jimin to collaborate on an important music. That basically caught with me and I assumed it was an important concept, so I all the time had it in thoughts.

After which final summer time, I had the chance to fulfill with the members of BTS at varied personal gatherings and occasions. By way of that, we naturally had meals collectively, and I met Jimin as nicely. The dialog got here up very organically, like, ‘There’s some music we’ve put collectively, do you’ve got curiosity in working collectively?’ and he stated he would actually like to. After that, he got here to our studio, we performed the music for him, and he actually favored it.

When did you begin engaged on “Vibe”?
I believe it was over two years in the past. After getting back from army service, I used to be with Teddy [and producers] Kush, Vince, and 24, and Teddy stated “Let’s make a observe for Youngbae.” We had enjoyable making the music, and that’s when the observe and melody happened. The music sat in that type for a while and whereas pondering of incorporate it into my solo album, the concept to work with Jimin got here up. We thought, “It will be so cool to work collectively on this music.”

It’s not frequent so that you can work on music with somebody exterior of your group, or exterior of your label for that matter. How was it working with Jimin?
Since we’re not beneath the identical label, there have been undoubtedly issues we needed to work out. However we each actually needed to make a very nice music and a very nice music video. That’s what we wish to present everybody. That feeling was sturdy for each of us. We labored actually onerous and I believe it resulted within the music’s high quality and the music video’s high quality. It was cohesive in that approach. Jimin put in additional effort than anybody and I’m very grateful for that.

You and Jimin are each identified not solely to your vocals, but in addition to your dancing expertise. Did you’re employed on the choreography collectively? The music video teaser confirmed a bit of little bit of choreography.
I assumed choreography was actually essential for this music. We didn’t choreograph it ourselves, and as a substitute regarded by means of concepts we acquired from a wide range of proficient dancers. From all of them, we chosen choreography from Bailey Sok, a dancer in America. She’s very younger… She made it so nicely. It was actually onerous to study it.

Had been there any enjoyable moments you’ll be able to share from manufacturing course of?
There have been many, so it’s onerous to select. I believe for choreography, truthfully, it’s been so lengthy since I’ve needed to study choreography. I had dance classes right here and there, however working towards and not using a clear aim was more durable than I assumed. The method of getting to study new choreography for a brand new music, because it’s been so lengthy — getting used to it was very onerous. Even for Jimin, because the dance type is completely different from what he was used to, we each had a tough time. (Laughs). We joked to ourselves, like, “Are we the bizarre ones? Or is it as a result of the choreography is admittedly that onerous?” We needed to do it nicely, and it took a while for us to get there.

That being stated, can we anticipate some dance challenges?
I believe at this level, we’ve each practiced a lot that we’re in a great place. Each of us.

The teaser posters revealed that you just participated each composition and songwriting. Is there a lyric in “Vibe” that you just particularly like?
Personally, I like all of the lyrics. I believe as a result of we made the music realizing that the theme could be the phrase “Vibe.” I assumed deeply about what the phrase means. In Korea, the phrase “vibe” grew to become widespread and classy by means of applications like “Present Me the Cash,” however apart from that, I felt a deep reference to the phrase’s which means. A great vibe could possibly be the vitality or inspiration you get from an object of affection, or it might come as concord between two loves, fairly than from solitude. I used to be pondering of what it might imply and that’s how a number of the lyrics got here out.

Proper now, the observe’s which means is within the lyrics: “Falling on a darkish sky like twilight, simply will get higher.” I believe that lyric suits proper the place I’m at with “Vibe.” There have been some tough moments previously and I didn’t get to fulfill with followers for a very long time. With “Vibe,” I really feel like my time to fulfill with followers is beginning.

I had learn that “Eyes, Nostril, Lips” was central to releasing the Rise album. Would you say “Vibe” performs the same function in your upcoming album?
Ah. That album had come to fruition with “Eyes, Nostril, Lips.” I used to be already engaged on the album, and we didn’t have a principal music, however as soon as we had “Eyes, Nostril, Lips,” we had been in a position to launch the album. I’ve been engaged on my subsequent album constantly since finishing my army service. “Vibe” is without doubt one of the songs that got here from that and we didn’t initially have plans round who to collaborate with or transfer ahead with the venture. However final 12 months, whereas engaged on the album, extra concepts had been floated round, wish to work with Jimin… That’s why “Vibe” is being revealed first. I’m engaged on the opposite songs as nicely.

On Instagram, fellow Huge Bang member G-Dragon (Kwon Jiyong) has proven help to your new music. What was his response when he first heard “Vibe”?
Jiyong really even got here to our music video set and cheered me on rather a lot. As somebody who has all the time been a part of a bunch, or a part of a sub-unit like GD and Taeyang, I haven’t actually performed many collaborations exterior of that. It was actually new for me, however Jiyong got here to help and stated the music is admittedly good. He would watch the monitor on set mentioning issues right here and there, and gave me plenty of recommendation.

There isn’t a number of details about your upcoming album simply but, however when it does get unveiled, what kind of album would you like it to be?
I believe, in a approach, this album would be the embodiment of my time that’s handed up till now. Particularly for my followers who’ve waited for thus lengthy, it accommodates the ideas I’ve had and the sentiments I’ve had, so I hope these feelings get delivered by means of this album.

At any time when I put out an album, I assign a theme that matches with which means of my identify. [Taeyang means sun in Korean.] With this album too, I considered the sundown fairly a bit and regarded to the sundown for inspiration — like a stupendous sundown that has many colours. The 4 years that I’ve labored on making this album had been a time for me to return to my roots and authentic mindset after I first began. I hope this album conveys the unique intention I first had.

Such as you stated, it’s been some time because you’ve been in a position to meet with followers. You’ve been attending some artwork occasions and personal events, however I’m curious to listen to how else you’ve spent your time.
I believe I have a tendency to spend so much of time at residence. I like being at residence. As , with the pandemic, we couldn’t exit a lot. I often am residence rather a lot however I believe I used to be residence much more due to that. I spend most of my time with my household. I used to submit these photos very often earlier than I wiped my Instagram just lately, however I wish to go on walks. I might go to Namsan or different mountains and stroll. At residence, I take pleasure in studying and writing. That’s how I spent the vast majority of my time.

I’m curious to know what music you’ve been listening to as of late. What songs and artists do you go to for inspiration?
Lately I’ve been listening to a number of previous music. If I needed to choose one music… Let me look. (Scrolls by means of telephone). There are such a lot of, ought to I simply choose one?

The extra suggestions the higher.
I hearken to a number of previous songs. “Carry Me Up” by Sure… This one’s actually well-known, however “Lean On Me” by Invoice Withers… or Stevie Surprise’s “All the way down to Earth.” There are rather a lot. I’ve been listening to a number of previous Korean songs too.

A number of issues have modified because the final time you launched solo music, like the recognition of dance challenges, and also you’ve additionally simply opened a brand new discussion board the place you’re speaking with followers. Whereas observing the trade throughout your break, was there something you needed to strive while you returned?
To be trustworthy, I haven’t actively considered these issues. I really feel actually strongly about making music and displaying everybody nice music. I believe throughout my break, I noticed how a lot tradition has modified — new platforms now exist, individuals devour content material by means of new channels. I believe I unintentionally started to check these items and actually needed to do nicely for my new single or album launch. I assumed to myself, “I would like to do that nicely. I would like to arrange myself.”

Do you ever look again at previous movies or hearken to previous songs? What do you are feeling trying again?
Just a few years in the past, after I noticed previous movies, I used to be extra essential and had regrets about why I did issues the best way I did. However now, I’ve turn into extra beneficiant and forgiving. Like, “Proper, there have been occasions like these… There have been sure strengths again then that I may not have now.” I really feel extra relaxed trying again at myself now. The issues I lacked again then, should you have a look at it a sure approach, made me who I’m right now.

I used to not wish to see previous content material and would really feel embarrassed by it. I have a tendency to not watch a number of previous movies. I actually used to not watch them previously, however I believe now after I do look again, I consider methods to improve my music and performances for the long run too, and I additionally look to issues and elements of myself that I ought to proceed on with.

Out of your discography, should you needed to choose one music that you just maintain near coronary heart, what wouldn’t it be?
It modifications every single day, to be trustworthy. Every music is significant to me. If I needed to choose proper now although, it could be “Vibe.” It’s significant to me in a novel approach. I say that as a result of to me, it’s a brand new begin, and the method of finishing the music, collaborating with Jimin, trying again, felt very pure. I noticed how the music happened naturally with out feeling pressured, and was stunned by that. That was actually particular. Moreover, it’s my first music after becoming a member of THEBLACKLABEL, making it extra significant.  

Wanting again in your profession, are there any recollections or moments you might be keen on?
Wanting again?

Sure, though I’m certain there’s rather a lot. (Laughs).
There are rather a lot. (Laughs). I noticed it’s been 17 years now. It’s onerous to name out particular moments. Can I believe on this one a bit? It’s robust to select one second or factor as a result of I believe it’s each second I had with my members. Fairly than simply occurring tour, or engaged on an album, however the vitality we had once we had been collectively and the sentiments and understanding now we have for each other. It was all the time enjoyable. And we had been a lot youthful then too. That freshness. Wanting again on it now, each second particular and valuable.

As somebody with a longstanding profession and years of expertise, you’ve grown a lot as an artist. Do you are feeling that development your self?
I believe these moments now are a part of my development course of. A number of my previous experiences led to my development. I wanted a while to look again and replicate to see my development, in addition to my shortcomings. I’ve had a while to face my shortcomings and discover options. I believe by means of that, I’ve been in a position to develop a bit of now. And thru these moments, beginning now, on this new place, I can develop extra.

I’m curious to know who you go to for recommendation and steerage.
Whether or not they’re the producers at THEBLACKLABEL, or Teddy, I believe it’s actually essential to encompass your self with individuals who can provide you good recommendation and hold you on the appropriate path. It’s been a very long time since I began this profession as an artist and I believe that rings true much more with time. As time passes, whereas rising in popularity and receiving love from many individuals, I believe there are moments the place I can miss out on listening to what is nice for me, and as a substitute comply with phrases which might be good to listen to. Regardless of that, fortunately, I’ve individuals by my aspect who will inform me the appropriate issues, even when they’re onerous to listen to. The producers at THEBLACKLABEL and Teddy all the time give me recommendation throughout onerous occasions and assist me discover options.

You debuted in 2006. Is the 2023 model of Taeyang near what you had envisioned for your self again then?
There are some issues which might be comparable and others that aren’t. I believe the truth that there are any similarities in any respect is shocking and a aid. In 2006, and even earlier than my debut, as a trainee, I all the time thought to myself, “I’m going to be a world singer it doesn’t matter what.” (Laughs). I’m unsure the place that confidence got here from, however I all the time thought that. As a trainee, you actually don’t know your future, should you’ll give up… There are a number of unknowns. Regardless of that state of affairs, I all the time thought to myself that I’ll someway turn into a world singer. And I all the time made certain my actions and ideas had been aligned with that aim.

I believe that mentality made me who I’m now. And apart from that, after all there are such a lot of issues which have occurred that I couldn’t have anticipated. After all I’ve imagined a few of these issues, however to carry out on such massive phases, there are extra moments that I can’t consider, since they had been simply issues I had imagined after I was youthful. I’m actually grateful. And one other factor I’m so grateful for is that a number of the those who had been by my aspect again then are nonetheless with me right now. It’s so significant.