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Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

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Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

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Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

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Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

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GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

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Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

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Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

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Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

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How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

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Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

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How to Turn a Bedroom into a Professional Home Studio on a Budget

September 19, 2024

For many aspiring musicians, the dream of creating a professional-quality home studio seems out of reach due to costs and space constraints. However, with the right strategies and tools, it's...

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Remote Music Collaboration: Tools and Tips for Seamless Production

September 18, 2024

Collaborating on music remotely has become more common, but as you’ve experienced, it can be a challenge to get it right. Audio latency, control sensitivity, and lack of real-time feedback are...

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Sunmi Becomes the 'Stranger' With New Single

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Photo Source: Koreaboo

After over a year of absence from the Kpop scene, solo artist Sunmi has recently come back with her eighth digital single, “STRANGER.” Co-written by Sunmi, the single delves into her 17-year career (10 year solo career) through self-reflection and being genuine to herself. 

Sunmi first debuted in 2007 as a member of the girl group, Wonder Girls. She also debuted as a solo artist in 2013. Since then, she has established her own unique music style, “Sunmi-pop,” which incorporates electro-pop and retro elements with addictive melodies and powerful performances. While staying true to her colours and sounds, she also explored many new ventures as an artist, including becoming a singer-songwriter. 

In “STRANGER,” Sunmi becomes a stranger. The track opens with a dark and mysterious tone – with an abrupt, chanted chorus. The track moves away from her classic sound to reggae rhythms and a spoken-word chanted chorus. Her empowering vocals throughout the song present another dimension to the track.

Aside from “STRANGER,” the digital single also includes the songs “Calm Myself” and “Call My Name.” Narcissism is a common theme seen through all three songs. 

“Calm Myself” is an English-lyric track that opens the album. The song highlights the process of letting go and finding inner peace after a past relationship. The song demonstrates the process of self-healing and moving on from a failed romance. The last song, “Call My Name,” is a track inspired by her fans. Her voice and instrumentals contribute to a calming track about self-love sung from a fan’s perspective.