I’m enjoying the genre growth of Korean traditional music hybrids. From Jambinai, DongYang Gozupa, Song Sohee, LEE HEE MOON, and many more artists, this translation and interpretation presents a wide range of new ideas – all of which are interesting. SamSan got their start in 2023, and the last two releases have been EPs.
Spin, Life, Spin! is a mix of Korean traditional music with pop and indie rock. Listening to this combination, it’s a strangely organic combination using gayageum and danso inside arrangements. “Dig Dig Dig Dig” is a funk, indie rock, and pop song that works as a great introduction. SamSan’s vocals remind me of Crayon Pop, in a great way. Also, the song has a great hook.
SamSan follows “Dig Dig Dig Dig” with “Pow Pow Pow Pow.” It sounds like an alternative pop song that adds gayageum under the surface. And while it leans more towards pop, the traditional elements come across as accents and in the background. I’d say it’s a 60% present-day to 40% traditional mix. “Pow Pow Pow Pow” has its own addictive hook because it comes across as a simple song. But underneath the surface, this is a complex arrangement.
I don’t know why the song title translations went for repeated words. Every song except for song five has the same four words. “City City City City” is more of a contemporary indie pop song. It still has SamSan’s signature composition with multiple layers working together. The biggest difference is that “City City City City” doesn’t include any gayageum.
My personal favorite song is “Die Die Die Die.” Not because of the title, but because it has a different mood in the instruments. It feels a little lighter than other songs. The vocal rhythm moves at a different pace and I got pulled into the melody. It reminded me of Song Sohee a little while presenting their own signature.
The final song on Spin, Life, Spin! is called “Spin Life Spin Life.” It’s an electronic song produced by DJ짜요짜요. It sounds like a remix or using a vocal clip to create a song around it. It’s different from every other song, but it fits the tone and theme of the EP.
Exploring artists who use traditional music as a part of their composition and style is always fun. Each one uses instruments or tonal themes in different ways. With SamSan, it’s a little more pop and indie rock which is a nice change. Spin, Life Spin! is great, especially if this is your first time listening.
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Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.
