⌜ Seola × WJSN ; Inside Out ⌝ "Without U"

Seola's debut solo album, "Inside Out," launched on January 23, 2024, marks a significant milestone in her career, eight years after her initial appearance with WJSN. Distributed by Starship Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment, the album features three tracks including the standout title track "Without U" . This album not only showcases Seola's vocal and visual prowess, honed over years with WJSN and its sub-unit WJSN THE BLACK, but also highlights her expanding musical spectrum as she delves into songwriting and composition .

"Inside Out" is deeply reflective of Seola's unique sensibility, articulating complex emotions like joy and sadness that coexist within her. The album embodies a message of unity between her past presence in WJSN and her future as a solo artist, suggesting that these different phases are facets of the same identity . The lead single "Without U" draws from Seola's inner experiences and is described as a band pop-style song that perfectly complements her solid vocals and emotional depth, depicting her determination to rise above her challenges and undergo a personal rebirth .

Artist

SeolA

B-side

"Let's Talk (Loneliness)"

"No Girl"

Released

January 23, 2024

Format(s)

CD, download, streaming

Recorded

2023

Genre

Dance, French house, UK garage, band pop, acoustic

Length

8:30

Label(s)

Starship Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Kakao Entertainment

Writer(s)

Jinri (Full8loom), SeolA (track 1)

Jinri (Full8loom), SeolA, Youra (Full8loom) (track 2)

SeolA, BrotherSu (track 3)

Composer(s)

Glory Face (Full8loom), Jinri (Full8loom), woojin (Full8loom) (track 1)

Glory Face (Full8loom), Jinri (Full8loom), SeolA (track 2)

SeolA, BrotherSu (track 3)

Arranger(s)

Glory Face (Full8loom), woojin (Full8loom) (track 1)

Glory Face (Full8loom) (track 2)

BrotherSu (track 3)

"Inside Out," the debut solo album by Seola, was officially released on January 23, 2024, under the banners of Starship Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment. This album, marking her first solo venture eight years after her debut with WJSN, showcases her evolving musical talents including lyric writing and composition. The album features three tracks, with "Without U" highlighted as the lead single, demonstrating Seola's distinctive band sound and vocal prowess.

Available in three versions—IN, OUT, and ENVELOPE—the album offers a variety of physical collectibles. Each version includes a unique dust jacket, a photobook, a CD-R, and collectible photocards, with special items like random Polaroids and folded posters available exclusively as pre-order benefits. The release was strategically timed at 6 PM KST to optimize fan engagement.

This release not only signifies Seola's full-fledged solo debut but also her transition from a group member to a solo artist, where she has been able to expand her musical spectrum significantly. The album's production involved collaborations with notable artists and producers such as Brother Su, Jinli, and woojin, who contributed to the writing, composing, and arranging of the tracks, ensuring a high-quality musical experience.

The "Inside Out" album by Seola is available in three distinct versions, each tailored to offer unique content and packaging to enhance the fan experience.

The IN version of the album includes a variety of items designed to connect fans with Seola's artistic vision. Each package contains a mini CD, a dust jacket, a photo book with 88 pages, and a photo card. Special pre-order benefits include a random Polaroid and a folded poster, adding exclusive value for early purchasers.

Similarly, the OUT version features the same set of contents as the IN version, maintaining consistency in the items provided while varying in the images and designs to offer a fresh visual experience. This version also includes the pre-order benefits of a Polaroid and a folded poster, making it a coveted item for collectors.

The ENVELOPE version stands out with its unique packaging and contents. It includes an envelope, a smaller photo book consisting of 16 pages, a mini CD, lyrics paper, a photo card, and a film photo. Each item is carefully curated to provide a more intimate and personal connection with the album's themes.

Each version of the album ensures that fans can choose their preferred style of engagement with Seola's music and artistic expression, reflecting her multifaceted personality and the emotional depth of the album.

"Without U," the title track of Seola's debut album "INSIDE OUT," marks a significant shift from her previous work with WJSN, introducing a more organic, emotional style. This track, released on January 23, 2024, combines emotional acoustic sounds with Seola's strong vocals, reminiscent of early Taeyeon tracks . The song starts with a captivating acoustic guitar sound, setting a deeply personal tone that reflects Seola's journey of self-protection and moving forward from past hardships.

The composition of "Without U" features a blend of cathartic melodies and guitar-driven instrumentals, creating a nostalgic yet fresh appeal. The song's structure includes a dynamic push-and-pull within the verses, highlighted by electric guitar riffs that add a fresh polish to the familiar-sounding formula . Additionally, the bridge of the song showcases Seola's vocal prowess, asserting her presence in the solo music scene.

Lyrically, "Without U" explores themes of independence and self-discovery. The lyrics narrate the protagonist's realization that moving on alone is not only necessary but also empowering. This narrative is woven through the music with lines like "I'm protecting myself, it doesn't have to be you by my side, I'm certain now", emphasizing a strong resolve to overcome and grow beyond previous experiences.

Overall, "Without U" does not only serve as a musical introduction to Seola's solo capabilities but also establishes a sound that is distinct yet complementary to her work with WJSN, fulfilling the ideal role of a solo debut.

In the track "Let's Talk (Loneliness)," Seola explores the pervasive feeling of loneliness, presenting it not just as a personal emotion but as a universal experience that can lead to deeper connections with others. She articulates this sentiment by suggesting that embracing loneliness can act as a catalyst for seeking love and understanding among people. This introspective song delves into the concept that loneliness, often seen as a negative or painful feeling, holds the potential to foster significant personal growth and social bonding.

Seola's approach in "Let's Talk (Loneliness)" is to discuss loneliness as if it were a conversation with a friend, acknowledging its presence in everyone's life at some point. The lyric "Deep breath between the congratulated air," reflects a moment of introspection amidst external celebrations, suggesting a contrast between public appearances and private feelings. This line was inspired by a note Seola had written long ago, capturing the essence of finding beauty and ownership in one's emotions.

Through this track, Seola invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences of loneliness, encouraging a narrative that moves from isolation to a more connected and empathetic understanding of human emotions.

"NO GIRL," the concluding track of Seola's album "Inside Out," showcases a distinctive UK garage genre, diverging from the earlier tracks with its smooth and relaxed synths and clean 2-step drum patterns. Written in collaboration with Brother Soo, the song delves into themes of separation and longing, effectively conveying deep emotional undercurrents. Seola's vocal prowess is highlighted especially in the chorus where she elevates the track by pushing her voice into a higher range, adding a unique texture that contrasts with her previous work with WJSN The Black.

Critics have praised "NO GIRL" for its glitch beat and smooth vocals, which blend seamlessly to enhance the track's appeal. The hook of the song, in particular, has been noted for delivering memorable moments that resonate with listeners, drawing comparisons to the vocal stylings of prominent artists like Taeyeon. This track not only marks a significant departure in Seola's musical style but also underscores her growth as a singer-songwriter, as she has actively participated in writing the lyrics and composing the music for her album.

The reception of Seola's solo debut album "Inside Out" has been notably positive, particularly highlighted by the unexpected acclaim from fans who were previously more attuned to group performances from WJSN. One fan expressed surprise and pleasure at Seola's solo capabilities, noting that while they hadn't anticipated solo projects from WJSN members, Seola's debut proved both her individual potential and the aesthetic appeal of her music. The lead single "Without U" was especially praised for its dynamic composition and Seola's vocal execution during the bridge, which significantly showcased her talent beyond group dynamics.

Moreover, the album has sparked discussions about the future trajectory of WJSN as a group. Some fans perceive Seola's solo project as a refreshing opportunity to explore individual artistry, yet there are concerns about what this means for the group's collective future. The mixed feelings stem from Starship Entertainment's management decisions post-WJSN's win on Queendom 2, with some fans feeling the company has not fully leveraged the group's potential in the public eye. This sentiment reflects a broader apprehension about the prioritization of solo projects over group activities, which could potentially shift the focus away from WJSN as a whole.

These discussions encapsulate the complex emotions surrounding "Inside Out," blending anticipation for Seola's future works with nostalgia and concern for the beloved group's continuity.

In her debut solo album "Inside Out," Seola integrates her distinctive visual and musical style, which has been a hallmark throughout her career with Cosmic Girls and the sub-unit, Cosmic Girls The Black. The album showcases Seola's charm, not only through her sound but also through a visual narrative that reflects her growth as an artist. Each track is imbued with her unique sensibility, blending emotional acoustic sounds with robust vocals, which visually translate into a series of expressive and thematic music videos and album art.

The visual elements of "Inside Out" are crafted to complement the emotional depth and personal journey Seola shares through her music. The title track "Without U" features a music video that visually encapsulates the essence of the song, using a blend of stark and soft visuals to represent the pain and rebirth Seola expresses in her lyrics. This visual representation helps to deepen the listener's connection to the music, making it not just an auditory but also a visual experience.

Furthermore, the album artwork and promotional materials continue to convey the dual nature of Seola's identity—highlighting her past as part of Cosmic Girls and her present as a solo artist. This visual strategy not only enhances the album's appeal but also serves as a narrative thread that ties her past experiences with her current artistic exploration. The integration of these visual elements plays a crucial role in the overall reception of the album, as it visually narrates the evolution of Seola's artistry.