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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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“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. 

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