Alpha (CL album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alpha
Alpha CL cover.jpeg
Studio album by
CL
ReleasedOctober 2021
Genre
Language
Label
  • Very Cherry
Producer
CL chronology
In the Name of Love
(2019) 		Alpha
(2021)
Singles from Alpha
  1. "Spicy"
    Released: August 24, 2021
  2. "TBA"
    Released: September 2021

Alpha (stylized as ALPHA) is the upcoming debut studio album by South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter CL. Produced under her self-managed label Very Cherry, Alpha marks CL's first full-length work as a solo artist since her career debut in 2007. The album will be preceded with the release of several singles, and is planned to be released in October 2021.

Background and production[]

Well known as a member and leader of K-pop group 2NE1, CL left her longtime label YG Entertainment after 12 years in December 2019.[1] Shortly after departing from the label, she released her first project extended play In the Name of Love as an independent artist. A shift from her traditional urban image, the record explored a variety of musical styles from alternative R&B, tropical dance, rap, and ballads.[2][3] In September 2020, CL released the music video for the intro to her upcoming full-length album Alpha, titled "Post Up". Subsequently, it was announced that album would be preceded with the double A-side release "Hwa" and "5 Star". Both singles were made available for digital download and streaming on October 29.[4] At the same time, CL had originally intended for her full-length debut record to be released on November 30, 2020; however, it was later announced that the album's release would be postponed to the first half of 2021.[5] On July 10, 2021, CL signed a domestic management contract with Konnect Entertainment in order to manage her album-related activities in Korea.[6] On August 13, it was announced that CL will release her album Alpha in October 2021.[7] The digital single "Spicy" will first be released on August 24.[8]

Composition[]

Music and concept[]

Writing for Billboard, Owen Meyers asserted that the release of Alpha "embraces her status as an outlier of the international pop scene, with hooky pop-R&B hybrids, avant-garde electronic touches and distorted, speaker-busting hip-hop that stand apart from the glossy acts for which she helped paved the way."[9] In her May 2021 cover story for Allure, the magazine explained that album's meaning is twofold: "It’s about the alpha-female character she embodies, but it also suggests a new beginning", and added that "the songs will fill out CL’s superlative branding with personal flavor."[10][11]

Songs[]

Identified as CL's return to the global stage, Tim Chan of Rolling Stone regarded the hip-hop track "Hwa" as a "sassy kiss-off" and a "declaration of independence". An "identity peace song"—as CL describes, the title embodies multiple meanings in both Korean and Chinese, including themes of fire, flower, change, and wealth.[12][13] Stylistically, "Hwa" interpolates chants, slinky synths, and snappy snares into a booming bass line.[12] The musical styles of "5 Star" heavily contrasts its counterpart; it is characterized as a slow-jam love-filled number that primarily features the singer's soft vocals in both Korean and English, and contains greater influences from pop music. The song's lyrical content revolves around love and the rollercoaster of emotions felt during a romantic relationship.[14]

References[]

  1. ^ "CL Leaves Longtime K-Pop Label: Report". Billboard. November 8, 2019. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  2. ^ Herman, Tamar (December 18, 2019). "CL Rises as Independent Artist With Debut Album 'In the Name of Love': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Fleshman, Cu (December 18, 2019). "K-pop Star CL Drops First Solo EP, 'In The Name Of Love'". Character Media. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "K-pop artist CL says new song 'HWA' marks new beginning". The Korea Times. October 30, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "CL Postpones 'ALPHA' Album Release Date". Hypebae. November 16, 2020. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  6. ^ "강다니엘과 급성장 커넥트, CL과 파트너십 체결 "글로벌 비즈니스 영향력 강화"" [Fast-growing Connect with Daniel Kang, partnership with CL "Strengthening global business influence"]. Star News (in Korean). July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021 – via Naver.
  7. ^ "CL, 데뷔 13년만 첫 솔로 정규앨범..24일 컴백 확정" [CL, first full-length solo album in 13 years of debut... Confirmed comeback on the 24th]. Herald Pop (in Korean). August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021 – via Naver.
  8. ^ "CL, 'ALPHA' 프로젝트 첫 싱글 'SPICY' 24일 공개…존 말코비치 참여" [CL, 'ALPHA' project first single 'SPICY' released on the 24th... Join John Malkovich]. Star News (in Korean). August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021 – via Naver.
  9. ^ Meyers, Owen (January 14, 2021). "K-Pop Star CL on Comeback Album '+Alpha+'". Billboard.
  10. ^ Kilbane, Brennan (April 13, 2021). "CL Would Like to Reintroduce Herself". Allure.
  11. ^ Chin, Carmen (June 30, 2021). "CL on what she would tell her younger self: "Trust your feelings"". NME.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Chan, Tim (November 4, 2020). "Song You Need to Know: CL, 'Hwa'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  13. ^ Chia, Amelia (November 20, 2020). "CL uncovered: Our digital cover star opens up about her debut studio album, romance and body positivity". Vogue Singapore. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Kim, Ye-eun (November 6, 2020). "CL Unveils Love-Filled Music Video for New Single "+5 Star+"". Hypebae. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
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