The Deep, a name she chose for her characteristically deep voice, has been on the Korean indie scene since 2019, releasing singles that lean into the Y2K sound and aesthetic in the past few years – which is certainly true of Messy Room. Her 2023 EP is full of infectious blends of dance pop, drum and bass (DnB), and smooth, sometimes sultry R&B beats accompanied by unabashed lyrics.
Her opener, “Brand New House,” is a dance track packed with attitude, where The Deep sings about moving on literally and emotionally. It’s a punchy earworm, and the lyrics volley between the bitterness of a relationship ending, from the pre-chorus:
“All them feelings
Like such a storm, they come and go
Fuck your feelings
Threw away your toothbrush to go”
To the second verse, where she seems to have come to terms with it and finds nobody to blame:
“Don’t be sorry
해야 할걸 할 뿐, it’s not because of you
Don’t be in a hurry
필요했던 것뿐 love will always renew”
It’s a song that helps set the tone for the EP with its sound and message – The Deep is shifting into some new territory sonically, but still content and comfortable to go back to her R&B roots from time to time.
“바삐 (BAPPI)” features a catchy house beat. Lyrically, The Deep is flexing a bit but also describing a hectic lifestyle. 바삐 translates roughly to busy, and the song certainly has that vibe. It’s a bit fast-paced, especially as The Deep transitions to more of a rap style throughout the song.
“내 밥벌이 바삐 (Uh)
Yeah, 심장은 빨리 (빨리)
내 삶은 늘 바삐, I can’t stop it 세상은 요 지경 (Uh-uh)
My bitches all poppin’ (Oh)
They hit me with the profit (Pop, pop)
난 움직여 바삐, I can’t stop it 세상은 요 지경”
It’s a song that, to me, feels like it has a beat that wouldn’t be out of place on the runway. It’s energetic and gives the listener a sense of fierceness. If you want to strut with a purpose, I think this song is perfect to listen to to get the vibe.
The titular song “Messy Room” sits squarely in the middle of the tracklist and takes a turn back to The Deep’s R&B roots. “Messy Room” is about letting loose and living in the moment, trying to find happiness even in the little things. It’s funky and allows The Deep to show off her vocal abilities a bit more than the previous tracks. It’s a song that’s sure to lift your mood, just as intended.
“There is no time
이 방이 더러워지기 전에
Relieve the stress
어서 두려움과 bye, bye, bye
Epic final, look at it
먼지 한 톨 없이
내 모습과 넌 같아
나를 비춰주네”
Second to last, “bow wow” is a fun track, almost hypnotic and mysterious with the repetitive bow-wow and wow-wows thrown in. While the chorus may seem a little silly, the song is about something coming and having to prepare for it, whether it be good or bad. Mostly, it’s about pushing past the bad and looking ahead to what’s waiting behind the next door, anticipating it and reminding yourself that even amidst the bad, good will someday come.
“Don’t go there, stop
어차피 내일
Wicked and naughty witches are back
눈물은 왜 끊임 없이
But happiness will always come back
Gotta keep it real talk that shit
Work that gig, while break that shit
Low low feel that vibe
인생은 꼭 ups and downs”
The closer “20’s” draws on the liquid DnB sound that has regained traction over the past couple of years. If you’ve liked some of K-pop group NewJeans‘ releases, you may like “20’s” in particular as many of their tracks have similar sound profiles! The Deep’s song is in some ways about youth, the struggle to find oneself during the decade where we truly become adults.
As someone in their twenties, I can relate to the feeling of constantly trying to figure things out and move forward while also struggling to move beyond the past. Even if you can’t relate entirely to the lyrics, the song is mellow but catchy, and I find myself singing the simple post-chorus of “twen-twen-twen-twenties” quite often.
“I’ve been looking for perfection
아픈 마음에
Trying to heal the scars but nothing
Can ease the pain
I’ve been looking for perfection
항상 이렇게
Trying to heal the scars, however
There’s no other way”
Overall, I like Messy Room. I may have been a little late to discover it (and The Deep in general), but it still feels fresh. Although it appeals to some current trends in the resurgence of many things Y2K, it also has timeless elements that I think anyone can enjoy.
Regardless of the genre she pulls from, The Deep’s low, smooth voice and sleek sound production make it work flawlessly. Also, check out her recent singles, like “shy girl!” with long-time Korean Indie favorite HUNJIYA or her most recent collab with Tade Dust, “Love Is…
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Written by Madi for Korean Indie.
