GSoul is one of the more experienced and adaptable singers in the industry, and even more impressively, one of the most trained artists of his generation. After his 2001 introduction as a trainee, GSoul spent the following 15 years creating his own identity and placing him on a self-assured path of greatness.
As one of the most soulful, active performers, GSoul has been responsible for musical perfection – with his song “Get Up” proving to be a top-tier R&B song. The inspirational track also acts as a message about adversity and draws strength from the necessity of vulnerability. Regardless of any intended message throughout his music, he’s placed that same passion behind every song from the high-energy infectiousness of “Broken Record” to the tranquility of “Confidence”.
GSoul has actually managed to deliver some variation of music every year since his early 2015 debut, (with the exception of his enlistment from 2017-2019), making him one of the most persistent names in music, recording in both English and Korean. Alternating between two languages, the singer brings both styles of music into one – as an artist that exists in both spaces with his own unique style. That facet, in conjunction with his rare passion, has demonstrated that GSoul is a dark horse singer, repeatedly blessing listeners with powerhouse vocals in untouchable songs (like the 2017 genre-merging track “No Answer”).
Within the past year, the 33-year-old artist has shifted his focus on Natural, playing up some of those previous soulful entries, and promising an honest, stripped narrative with an endless vocal range. Coming full-circle, the title track, “Natural” is yet another standout for GSoul (and the EP), as the most natural, heartfelt moment for a singer who has forged a career with an attention-detailed approach to music.
With Natural out now, we spoke to GSoul about the EP and his first solo comeback after tackling new endeavors.
I’m so happy you’re back with new music – and it’s been almost two years now since you’ve dropped a solo project of this magnitude! Can you talk about what led to this return to music?
GSoul: I’ve been releasing music with features and H1GHR MUSIC compilations, and even went on The Voice Korea competition. It’s not like I necessarily stopped doing music, but I didn’t put out my own stuff. I think needed some time to experience and redefine my personal life to talk about my personal thoughts through music.
During that timeframe, you worked on some really cool features and collaborations as well! Did you discover any new skills or learn anything that you brought into Natural?
GSoul: I’ve worked with a lot of talented artists this year, doing a lot of features, because I didn’t know what I wanted to say, coming from myself with so many things going on in life. But if somebody had to something to say, I was happy to deliver it vocally. When I knew what I wanted to say, which eventually was gratitude and love to my fans and everyone – I was ready to put out this project
Considering the impressive fact that you’re bilingual, I was wondering if you’ve picked up (or noticed) any distinct differences/similarities in your approach to working with two languages in music?
GSoul: I learned in college that Korean is a difficult language to sing in. I think a lot of Korean artists can relate to that, so they even record demos in English first, whether it makes sense or not. Since I’m bilingual, I sometimes approach Korean lyrics in English pronunciation as well, and that’s why I sometimes sound different. It’s a privilege that I can sing bilingually, and I would love to in other languages as well such as Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic. I want to sing in every language. It’s coming.
With your new release, the title track “Natural” is such a soft acoustic R&B song that might be some of your greatest work to date. What were some of the feelings or ideas that stayed at the forefront of your mind while working on this single?
GSoul: I realized that I like things that are natural. And I feel like love is one of few things that’s left natural in this world now, where everything can be fabricated and manufactured. You can’t fake love, and “Natural” is a real love song that represents that.
“Another Day” is another exciting standout with some cool jazz-fusion elements in its DNA! Have you always had an appreciation for that kind of music, or was this more of an opportunity to try something different?
GSoul: Of course. I love jazz music. Jazz music is such a creative expressive form of music that requires such different techniques. I was really glad to work with a jazz artist, Yoon Suk Cheol, on this album, and I would love to do a jazz album one day. I would love to do more fusion sounds with this genre.
“By My Side” is incredibly mesmerizing, and has such a natural groove to it that people are sure to find it addicting! It also happens to be the single uptempo track on the EP, so I was curious how you originally envisioned this song thematically fiting on Natural?
GSoul: Honestly, when I was writing that song, it came super quick. It started with me just freestyle and came out in like 20 minutes. It’s a love song, it’s about loyalty, people who stay on your side.
And there’s “FREE (I’M GONNA BE)” which is a brilliant and poignant moment of self-reflection – what did it mean for you to bring such raw emotions to life in this song?
GSoul: Another song that I wrote as if I was freestyling like I was writing a journal. That’s why I felt so vulnerable singing that song. It’s just about me moving forward to seek freedom from everything that’s been holding me back like old memories and past scars.
When you look back at your hopes for Natural, and then at the end result of the EP, what’s the primary feeling that you have about this piece of your artistry?
GSoul: I don’t really feel different when I put out a project, I’m just at a different stage of my life, just telling the current story and my mindset, what I’m going through sound-wise, and what I’m feeling at that moment.
The music video for “Natural” is breathtaking and really captures the essence of your song! What was your reaction when you first saw the completed version and was there a favorite moment you currently have from the video?
GSoul: Honestly, I just wanted to show the beautiful nature. I didn’t want MV to focus on me and wanted the video to enhance the music, and also have listeners focus on the music. I think it did that successfully and it’s beautiful.
As the year is wrapping up and you’re now at the tail end of introducing a new creative era – what goals or aspirations do you have for yourself in 2022?
GSoul: Hopefully, the shows, and concerts open back up. Hoping and praying for this, ‘cause I really love being on stage and meeting fans on stage. Oh, and definitely, more music!
GSoul’s new EP Natural is available to stream here, with the music video for the title track included above.
