Yuji and Dept Are “Closer Than Ever” To Finding Love In New Album
Showcasing their sentimental appeal, Closer than Ever is a new collaboration between Malaysian R&B artist yuji and Korean producer Dept. Released on July 30th, the album is sweet and slow with two main tracks and two different versions each.
In the caption of an Instagram post, Dept gave insight into the creation of the album. He listed various rhetorical questions and phrases that inspired him to compose. “I thought it was love at the time, but looking back, it wasn‘t love. I need love.” he wrote. With help from yuji and artist AVOKID, Dept approached the album with a fresh view on love. For all those worried that their love has become stagnant, Closer than Ever reignites the simple delights of romance.
“Searching for love”
Originally titled “Waiting for love,” this track is inspired by online dating. “I thought that love in this day and age is like searching for love on the web,” Dept wrote on Instagram. “The essence of love remains the same, but the form in which it is contained seems to change as time passes.” Just as its title changed, so did Dept find in his understanding of love. Influenced by this new mentality, the song shifted into sharing a message of hope.
Low guitar strums greet listeners’ ears as they set the tone of the soft song. The lyrics portray the story of someone who is broken-hearted but still looking for love. Yuji sings of a lingering feeling that something is missing in his life. He wants to find what true love is and truly means for him. Cued by the slow tempo, yuji is not hurried in his new endeavor. Rather, he is willing to wait for a genuine connection over something fake. Though there are plenty of uncertainties, “Searching for love” welcomes whatever the future holds.
Even In This Storm, We Are “Closer than Ever”
In a promotional post for the album, Dept asked fans to reflect on their most valuable relationships. “The person who is closer to you than anyone else, the person you have nothing to fear when you are with him or her. Do you have someone like that by your side?” This song presents a different form of love: platonic, unconditional, and unwavering.
The track is soothing, reassuring the listener that they are safe. Using a light band instrumental, the ballad features vocals from yuji, Dept, and AVOKID. The trio sing in harmony, finding comfort in their special person. Given the setting of a day with gloomy mood and weather, the lyrics show the importance of emotional support. Even the darkest moments in life are made better with the presence of loved ones. In fact, overcoming obstacles together is what yuji and Dept claim brings those in a relationship “Closer than Ever.” As you listen to this song, remember to hug your dearest a little tighter.
Looking for more heartfelt artists to support? Read about Rapsody and healing through music here.
