Electronic Duo Imugi Shine With Enchantingly Addictive Sophomore EP ‘Dragonfruit’
Sensational electronic-pop duo Imugi are thrilled to finally be able to celebrate the release of their eagerly-awaited sophomore EP Dragonfruit today. A true labour of love, Dragonfruit marks a triumphant musical chapter in the book of Imugi, delivering seven perfectly formed aural delights – a first-class addition to your summertime playlist!
LISTEN / PURCHASE DRAGONFRUIT – CLICK HERE
Hot off the back of performing at Live Nation’s showcase of rising stars Ones To Watch, the fiercely independent duo of singer-songwriter Yery Cho and producer-beatmaker Carl Ruwhiu, masterfully create poetic stream-of-consciousness music that cleverly navigates the slipstream between an eclectic range of musical influences. From late 90’s downbeat and trip-hop, silicon smooth synth-pop, ambient electro beats, hip-hop, rap and the undeniable bounce of modern R&B – all seamlessly blend into Imugi’s signature enthralling sound.
Written and produced by Imugi, additional production and mixing fairy dust was layered on by luminary Josh Fountain, Co-Winner of the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll (BENEE) at Golden Age Studios. The entire EP is an immersive and meditative experience, bookended by opener Portals and closing track Reflections, and several stand-out tracks have already been released: the ultra-dreamy Greensmoke, synth-pop gem Be Here Soon the captivating genius of ‘Somebody Else’ and the punchy Church & AP collab Y U Always Acting Like A Fool?.
Focus track Wandering Recluse serves up an airy celestial soundscape of mesmerising drum grooves, sweet synths and floating, soothing melodies. Imugi perversely describe Wandering Recluse as “perhaps the angriest track on the EP. It covers the sphere of low level vibrations we can’t avoid in our formative years and channels phases in which we find ourselves wandering around with hazy intentions.” LISTEN HERE
The Dragonfruit EP itself is an allegory of Imugi reaping the fruits of their labour, and the seven tracks continues a narrative that Imugi began exploring through their music with the release of debut EP Vacasian in 2017.
Lyrically Imugi takes the listener on a trip through the diasporic-Asian-girl-psyche, unearthing the complex issues that migrant women of colour face, and the healing it takes to go from self-consciousness to self-awareness. Says Yery, “Our own essence and experiences shouldn’t be covered by self-consciousness, but expressed in awareness and allowance. The art you make is therapeutic, validating, empowering and highly communicative in speaking your truth”.
Imugi have also discovered great joy and power in forming a tight collective of fellow underground creatives who share their artistic visions and values, commissioning Francine Bridge to create the album artwork, which in turn was designed by Casey Yeoh, co-director, editor and animator of their just released kaleidoscopic video for single Somebody Else.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO WATCH THE VIDEO FOR SOMEBODY ELSE
Dragonfruit also includes the ethereal and gorgeous track Greensmoke, which spearheaded the Dragonfruit project into being.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO WATCH THE VIDEO FOR GREENSMOKE
It is very clear that the duo’s considered thinking around music, culture and identity in Aotearoa has developed to an intuitively creative place where Imugi have found their authentic voice, their inherent power and uncovered their own radiant truths.
In keeping with the mythological Korean folklore of their namesake, it is now easy to visualise Imugi as a young serpentine beast that has awoken from its long slumber and is well on the way to becoming a fully-fledged wing-spreading dragon!
Watch out for soon to be announced December tour dates in support of the new EP.
Meanwhile, do yourself a favour and let the idyllic dream-pop of Imugi into your hearts to obsessively become the blissed-out high-rotate soundtrack to your summer!
LISTEN / PURCHASE DRAGONFRUIT – CLICK HERE
