‘Sun And Moon’ - The dawning of a new K-pop superstar Sam Kim [Album Review]
Last month, K-pop sensation Sam Kim teased the opening three tracks to his second mini-album Sun And Moon. Now the K-Pop Star runner-up has released the remaining songs, and they do not disappoint.
The title track, Sunny Days Summer Nights, and If all showcase Kim’s guitar skills, with the lush, folksy, acoustic guitar picking working perfectly with his soft croon. The record’s most powerful lyrics are in the anti-chorus of closer, If: “If I were gone tomorrow/ Will they wonder how I am?”. In Would You Believe, Kim offers an unexpected, and very tasteful, blues guitar solo over warm, soulful piano rolls and Sheeran-esque vocals.
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Kim may be famous for his slow balladry, but on this album, he really breaks out into new territory with help from collaborators Zico and Crush on the tracks It’s You and Make Up. Both have a jazz-lounge aesthetic with neo-soul and R’n’B inflections, and show Kim at his most musically vivid.
In fact, The Weight is the only obvious ballad, and it’s delivered in the most melodic, delicate fashion. His wistful whisper just cuts through the strings; the song would feel right at home on a Disney soundtrack.
In 2016, Kim’s I Am Sam may have shown promise, but Sun And Moon shows growth, as his potential comes to fruition.