Following the release of her much anticipated and critically acclaimed debut album With A Hammer earlier this year, Yaeji returns with a brand new single and music video for ‘easy breezy’, out now via XL Recordings. This week also sees Yaeji embark on the European leg of her ‘With A Hammer’ tour, including headlining the prestigious Pitchfork London festival this Saturday at the Roundhouse.
After a whirlwind year of landmark moments, Yaeji took the opportunity to return to the studio in August, between her North American and European tour, and from it came this exciting new release. After writing a deeply cathartic and personal record, Yaeji fell back in love with her craft again, so when it came to writing the new single it just flew out of her. ‘easy breezy’ sees Yaeji draw inspiration from a lot of the Japanese and Korean music she grew up listening to (and still does), which itself is heavily influenced by UKG, House and Brazilian music; Yaeji combines a Bossa nova style guitar sample with her unique beats and vocals with aplomb.
Speaking about the new single Yaeji explains:
““easy breezy” feels like a sequel that weaves a thread through my past releases (and my past selves).
“Learning to let go” – something i learned from “For Granted”
“진정한 변화는 (true change) it’s not so easy, it’s not so breezy” – from “Submerge FM”
“한장 한장 기록으로 채운 나의 20대의 일기장을 펼쳐서 (I opened up my diary filled with memories of my 20s)” – from “I’ll Remember for you, I’ll Remember For Me”
“시간이란게 점점더 빨라지며 (time keeps moving faster and faster)” – from “29”
“isn’t it so crazy how we pass down what we didn’t want to” – from “Done (Let’s Get It)”
Sonically, the song connects a thread between me now and me back in middle school —when I discovered bossa nova, drum and bass, and house through Korean and Japanese pop electronica. “easy breezy” is a thread, a tribute, a recollection of memories, and an encouraging push for us to bring forth change with courage and laughter. we hold the power in our hands, and we should never doubt that. change is now.”
The accompanying video is as light hearted and carefree as the song itself, seeing Yaeji speed around NYC on her scooter with her dog Jiji, dodging banana skins and other obstacles in a Mario Kart-style race. Once again Yaeji has taken the directors seat for this video, following suit from her recent videos for “For Granted” and “Done (Let’s Get It)”.
“easy breezy”
See what the press is saying about With A Hammer:
“Best Album of 2023 (so far)” accreditations from:
Guardian, i-D, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Variety, Vogue, NME, Stereogum, Treblezine, Uproxx and Vulture (New York Magazine).
“With a Hammer cements a genuinely original voice.” – Guardian
“The attention to detail is impeccable; every track contains at least one idea that reveals someone firmly dedicated to her craft” – Stereogum
“Debut album ‘With A Hammer’ is sheer colourful brilliance, with Yaeji once again reinventing herself, and redefining what electronic music can be.” – Clash Magazine 8/10
“With a Hammer further cements Yaeji’s place as one of the most valuable producers active in electronic pop today”. – Spin
For more information on Yaeji:
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