Get to Know April 2nd
You may have already heard of April 2nd without being aware of it. Though the indie band doesn’t get promoted as heavily as bands at more well-known agencies (see FTISLAND or CNBLUE), they managed to snag a gig on the critically-acclaimed and incredibly successful Goblin soundtrack back in 2016.
An Introduction
If you get curious and google the group, you’re not likely to find much other than their social media pages. On top of that, Google tends to come up with search results instead related to K-Pop girl group APRIL. According to the group’s official Facebook, the group currently consists of four members, with Kim Kyunghee on vocals, Moon Daekwang on guitar, Moon Woogeon on bass, and Cho Sungyeol on drums. They currently have released two studio albums, one mini-album, and three singles, in addition to multiple OSTs for Goblin and Jealousy Incarnate. They are currently signed to the label Chili Music Korea.
The inclusion of “Warriors Song” on the Goblin soundtrack is an amazing feat, considering that the soundtrack of the drama features big names like HEIZE, Crush, MAMAMOO, and Ailee. As the nineteenth track on the album, “Warriors Song” fits the emotionally heavy and intense drama, with the prominent melodic line making use of the organ and church choir. The song has a clear dark edge to it—a perfect fit for the drama.
In contrast, their first album Plastic Heart begins on a much brighter note. “Shiny Shoes” is an upbeat, light alternative song reminiscent of pop-rock tracks in the nineties. The general upbeat nature of the entire album is a complete contrast from the band’s feature on the Goblin OST, showing that the group is capable of a wide variety of styles.
When going through the discography, it becomes apparent that April 2nd is a good soundtrack for the bright, warm days of summer, or the lovely days of autumn when just a bit of chill is in the air. They’re a great feel-good band to have on your playlist, adding a lighter note to any stressful day.
Similar to: Standing Egg, SALTNPAPER, 1415, We Are The Night
The Latest Release: Colours
The band’s latest mini-album, Colours, was dropped back in April of this year. It opens up with the groovy and sunny “Wonderful Melancholy,” an alternative rock track that adds a small bit of synth into the melody to keep the song fresh. Even at first listen, the track has a certain comfort to it that’s hard to fully describe. “Wonderful Melancholy” transitions into “Guess What,” a higher energy melody that features a more staccato tone in both the guitar and vocals. The rhythm has some light R&B undertones evocative of early R&B from the 1950s while the song’s driving beat will have you bopping your head along to the melody in no time.
The group flips the script with “Temptation,” a much more rock-influenced track that focuses on the use of a prominent electric guitar rather than the rhythm guitar used in previous tracks. The pop-rock influence is much more apparent in this track: think the likes of Fall Out Boy, Red Hot Chili Peppers or CAKE. If you’re into the more intense type of rock, “Temptation” will definitely be your favorite off this album. Plus, the live version of this song is a real treat.
“Don’t Stay Alone” takes another sharp turn in musicality, with a softer, ballad vibe taking over the main line. The slower tempo of the track gives off a bit of a melancholy feeling, and Kyunghee’s relaxed vocals complement it perfectly. Though the overall track feels softer, the strong use of the guitar both in the melody and as a backing track reminds the listener of this group’s true musical focus. As a track, “Don’t Stay Alone” is a nice switch-up from the album so far, adding another layer of depth to the group’s musicality.
Finishing off the album is “London,” a moderate-tempo track with a bit more focus on Kyunghee’s vocals compared to the other tracks. Beginning with just basic chords on the lead guitar and a driving line on the rhythm guitar, the overall feeling of the song is kept chill and relaxing. It’s a great way to close out the album, finishing off on a softer note.
April 2nd certainly isn’t anything like traditional K-Pop, but the influence that the group takes from soft and alternative rock is refreshing, especially if you’re familiar with bands along a similar vein in Western countries. The group sings a significant amount of their songs in English as well, which can be a comfort for some. Though not a traditional sound coming out of the Korean music scene, there’s no doubt that April 2nd is worth a listen.
Check out April 2nd on the web!