[Interview] ARTLOVER on new track “Planet Luv” and its sci-fi inspiration
The makeup artist-turned-singer is hoping to leave a mark on the music industry that is out of this world.
Image: ARTLOVER.
After making her debut in 2018 with the single “Want U Back”, the Seoul-based singer and producer ARTLOVER has been experimenting with her talents and pushing the boundaries of music. Influenced by a range of media, from books to her own experiences, the singer hopes to deliver her vision through music.
Following the release of her new single “Planet Luv”, Cherry Chu Magazine spoke with ARTLOVER to talk about her projects, past and present.
From makeup to music
Before pursuing a career in music, ARTLOVER was a successful makeup artist and worked with famous clients ranging from Vogue to Elle. While this career jump may seem extreme, the artist’s cultivated creativity bleeds through every aspect of her music.
The singer explains how she wanted to express her feelings freely and believed that this change would be “an exciting challenge with an unknown future guaranteed”.
The track “Planet Luv” is described as an alternative hip-hop ballad, inspired by the retro sci-fi film The Fifth Element. The minimalist approach to the song, with its light synths, does give “Planet Luv” a celestial feel.
Image: ARTLOVER.
When paired with ARTLOVER’s deep vocal tones, the piano instrumental used frequently throughout makes listeners feel a sense of nostalgia. ARTLOVER’s voice has to be the standout on the song, with its depth and maturity that allows you to absorb her emotions.
Being completely self-produced, “Planet Luv” gives ARTLOVER’s audience a deeper insight into her thoughts. Not only is the music all the artist’s own work, but ARTLOVER also takes control in terms of the creative direction for album covers, music videos, and photoshoots.
Aside from her new single, ARTLOVER has already created a solid discography that spans genres.
She says: “Conceptually, I think my debut single ‘Want U Back (원츄백)’ expresses an artist persona well. Margaretha Ley's ESCADA vintage pink dress, leather boots, butterflies, and flowers from the ‘80s evoke a special nostalgia for ARTLOVER. The lyrics hope to explore immature young love and loss. But also they all come with the meaning of ‘blossom’ as an artist for me.
“In a twist, in my second single ‘Heart Of Stone (하트 오브 스톤)’, I express myself as an artist again through a story about taking off the artist persona, which I wrote after becoming interested in Carl Jung’s psychology. Through this song, my inner self became stronger.”
In terms of her inspirations, ARTLOVER draws from all kinds of music. She explains: “I like listening to a variety of music, but when I looked at Spotify’s end-of-the-year results, it showed I was in the top one percent of listeners of The Weeknd’s Starboy. It’s dark but has a nice sophisticated feel.
“I also think Avicii’s music is good. His songs have a sense of bringing out the audience’s primal instincts.”
Image: ARTLOVER.
ARTLOVER not only uses other artists’ music as inspiration when creating her own but also to improve her skills. She adds: “Recently, I have been listening to Celine Dion’s ‘I Love You’ and practising my vocals. I believe understanding her mature emotions is adding strength to the chest voice I need to fill.”
When asked about her future, ARTLOVER wanted to maintain some mystery. She says: “This new single ‘Planet Luv’ was created because I wanted to try ballad music. Perhaps, the next song will be the opposite.”
Stay up to date with ARTLOVER and her future projects via YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram.
Edited by Nicole Tilby.