Noise between the lines’ new album
[Monologic Collective]
Spirit Album Review 01 - Artist <Noise Between The Lines>’s New Album
[Monologic Collective] and More.
What was the starting point for this album [Monologic Collective]?
Hamin My goal was to create an album that truly felt like a full-length record. I believe there is a unique aesthetic that only a full album can embody.
For example, listening to Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 from start to finish feels completely different from listening to just the fourth movement.
There is a definite sense of aesthetic flow that naturally emerges between movements, and I think a full album is the one format in popular music that can truly achieve this. That’s why I wanted to put great care into crafting Op.1.
The lyrics of Haenggan Soeum feel like short prose poems. What comes to your mind first when you start writing lyrics?
Hamin Honestly, the first thing I think is, “I really don’t want to write lyrics… what if they sound cheesy?” I’m not very confident in writing lyrics because I don’t know how to do it well, and exposing myself through text feels very embarrassing. So it always feels like doing overdue homework. Since I’m insecure about it, I have to put in a lot of effort, which makes it even more stressful.
Is there a particular line of lyrics from this album that you’re most attached to? Could you share why?
Hamin From “Early Return”: “A distorted bare face.” Just reading this question is making me feel embarrassed and distorted right now.
Neeha From “Slow Dance”: “We force ourselves to share precious comforts that no one really believes will help.” I liked this line because it was comforting during times when I had to act like I was okay, even when I wasn’t.
Jun-young It turns out my favorite line is the same as Niha’s. We all have moments when we’re not okay but try hard to seem fine. This line feels like a reminder that it’s okay not to force yourself in those moments.
Qrim From “Early Return”: “Do you come home wrapped in such cold words, without even a sigh?” I usually don’t pay much attention to lyrics when listening to music, but for some reason, this line really stuck with me. I find myself humming it even during performances.
This album contains a variety of genre influences. Were there any particular artists or albums that inspired you?
Hamin I was heavily influenced by composers I deeply respect—Charles Ives, Igor Stravinsky, and Olivier Messiaen. In particular, the latter part of “5PM” owes quite a bit to them.
Neeha I drew inspiration from Radiohead, Isaac Delusion, and Parasol. I especially practiced by listening closely to Ji Yoon-hae’s basslines and tone. I was also inspired by Isaac Delusion’s minimal yet rich electronic pop sound, and wanted to express a sense of moving between minimalism and maximalism in this album.
Qrim While playing lead guitar and working on the mixing, I frequently referenced Radiohead and betcover!! whenever I felt unsure about the direction. I wanted to recreate that subtle charm that emerges when you balance vintage and rough sounds with digital clarity.
Although the album speaks of a ‘collective,’ the songs evoke a deep sense of personal solitude. Could you share your thoughts on this contrast?
Hamin I don’t actually see solitude as the main tone of the album. There are elements of isolation and loneliness, but I felt that the album also contains a lot of playful and intoxicating moods. I wanted to create a blend of different feelings, and I think it’s wonderful when each listener interprets it differently.
Neeha I think we all live within self-constructed collectives, delivering arrogant monologues to one another—sometimes comforting, sometimes resenting each other. We pour out monologues that no one asked for, but those monologues are what make up both you and me. I hope we can recognize and comfort one another through this shared experience.
Jun-young Everyone carries their own sense of lack and loneliness, and these monologues vary in content, depth, and weight. If we were to collectively gather these monologues, perhaps it would amplify the sense of individual solitude.
Qrim Even though we’re all voicing different things, the important part is that we’re speaking, not staying silent—and despite this, we can still be a collective.