PSY Returns With Pizzazz and Fanfare: A-Listers Fill New Album (2022)

Iconic artist PSY returns with his ninth full-length album. Dropped last Friday, the record is full of A-list collaborations and the pop-dance tracks that highlight the artist’s incredible diversity and skill.

PSY Returns Featured Image: @pnation.official (IG)

PSY: The Legend

Initially gaining global success with his 2012 hit “Gangnam Style,” PSY is still one of the most beloved, admired, and influential names in K-pop. Outside of his impact on the style and flavor of the genre, the company founded and run by PSY “P NATION,” has signed some of the top artists of the last years including HyunA, DAWN, and Jessi, among many others. Through working with his signed artists, PSY has influenced the direction of Korean music.

P NATION is currently preparing for the debut of their first group. The six-membered rookie group “TNX” will debut this May!

PSY Returns With That That

The new record, titled simply “Psy 9th,” was released in grand style last Friday along with the music video for the album’s title track, “That That.” The new song made headlines around the globe, not least, because it features and was produced by BTS rapper/producer SUGA. SUGA also stars alongside PSY in the flamboyantly extravagant music video.

According to PSY, SUGA had reached out with the track, offering to produce it for him. Together the artists collaborated on writing the lyrics and composing the catchy hit.

“I saw how passionate Suga was in working and thought, ‘I also used to make music like that.’ Without any hesitation and just enjoying it all. But with the passing of time, I’ve come to consider too many elements and became caught up in following too many rules. My experience with Suga allowed me to rid myself of all the weight on me over the long time.

–

Many tracks on the album came out naturally following the project with Suga. Because I’m not a professional composer, I don’t have a frequent source of inspiration and often find it hard to write songs if I don’t get the right push,”

PSY on his experience working with BTS’ SUGA

An A-List Album

In addition to working with SUGA, the new PSY album includes collaborations with some of the most recognizable names in Korean music. Featured artists include ballad-vocalist Sung Si-Kyung, R&B singer Heize, K-Pop artist/rapper Jessi, MAMAMOO member and talented soloist Hwasa, Rapper-songwriter GIRIBOY who wrote for the album, rapper/vocalist Crush, and EPIK HIGH’s TABLO.

PSY 9th

As someone who truly deeply understands not just K-Pop, but the entire music business, PSY’s new album listens like an ode to the diversity of Korean music and PSY’s versatility. Already 22 years since PSY debuted as an artist, PSY has put together a masterpiece of an album that does justice to his incredible career and the genres which he has helped build.

“The word ‘K-pop’ is short for Korean music. Although many respectful idol groups have been showing great performances, I’d like to introduce to the foreign fans that there is more to K-pop than just girl group and boy band music,

(…)

Constantly being consumed by those in their 20s, even now, when I’m 45, it feels like I’m not aging. I’m grateful, and I hope that many young fans listen to the new album and think, ‘This guy is still doing this? Still making this stupid song with weird music video and ridiculous dances?’ I’d feel the album is a success if I get those kinds of responses.”

PSY on the new record (quotes from PSY’s press listening session held for local press on Friday, translated and sourced from The Korean Herald)

Currently, PSY is busy promoting his title track, “That That,” on Korea’s music shows, performing over the weekend on Music Bank, Show Music Core, and Inkigayo, among others.

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