ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM ‘JANUARY NEVER DIES’ FEAT. RM OF BTS, OUT 19 OCTOBER
| “They are a group that produces one of the most original music and visuals in Korea, truly genuine and talented artists….While working together, I definitely learned a lot from their distinct colors.”– RM of BTS |
SET TO PERFORM AT MAHO RASOP FESTIVAL 2023 IN BANGKOK
| “Balming Tiger is turning K-Pop upside down”– VOGUE “Balming Tiger aren’t just fixated on reimagining the typical sonics and aesthetics of K-pop but popularising Asian youth culture worldwide, and that mission has already proven fruitful.”– NME “their work is strikingly original and unexpected — it takes you by surprise, and they approach every project with a new sound and an undyingly positive attitude.”– Stereogum “At their high-energy live shows, you’re as likely to find yourself in the middle of a mosh pit as you are to body roll.”– Rolling Stone |
The Seoul-based collective known as Balming Tiger has unveiled their latest single, “Kamehameha,” along with the exciting announcement of their debut album, “January Never Dies,” set to release on October 19th.
Balming Tiger, a diverse music collective, derives its name from the renowned Asian ointment ‘Tiger Balm.’ They define themselves as a “multinational alternative K-pop band” with a clear mission to make a global impact and establish a distinct and captivating path within the K-pop genre. Balming Tiger’s primary creative vision is to represent and mirror the aspirations and expressions of today’s younger generation, with the goal of promoting the hyper-expressive youth culture of Asia worldwide. Their inspiration spans a broad spectrum of global influences.
Their latest single, “Kamehameha,” is a vibrant and playful composition that explores an experimental soundscape. It pays tribute to the Korean drinking game of the same name, emulating the dizzying and overconfident sensations associated with heavy intoxication. The track, produced by bj wjwn and featuring vocals and melodies by sogumm, exhibits a stripped-back composition, offering yet another stylishly diverse addition to the collective’s extensive discography. The AI-inspired single artwork and the surreal, cinematic music video were crafted by Balming Tiger’s visual artist, Chanhee Hong.
This marks the fourth single release from their upcoming album, following the expansive “SOS” in April, the luminous “Trust Yourself” in January, and “SEXY NUKIM” in September of 2022, featuring RM from the legendary K-pop group BTS. “SEXY NUKIM” achieved remarkable success, including reaching the #1 spot on Billboard’s ‘World Digital Song Sales’ chart, and its music video has now garnered over 16 million views.
Balming Tiger is composed of a talented ensemble, including performers like Omega Sapien, sogumm, bj wnjn, and Mudd the student, who recently made waves on South Korea’s popular music TV show SMTM, amassing millions of views. The collective also boasts producers San Yawn and Unsinkable, video directors Jan’ Qui and Leesuho, DJ Abyss, visual artist Chanhee Hong, and writer Henson Hwang. Each member brings their unique artistic identity and energy to the group, contributing to the creation of Balming Tiger’s distinctive visual universe.
Omega Sapien, a founding member and a sensation in K-pop and K-rap, released his solo EP “WUGA” through LuckyMe last year. This EP featured electrifying collaborations with GRAMMY-nominated producer Baauer, NUXXE label head Sega Bodega, and Vernon from the K-pop collective SEVENTEEN. “WUGA” followed the release of Omega’s ‘Garlic and the Mugwort: The Genesis,’ a remix album that reimagined tracks from his debut album, ‘Garlic.’ The Korean polymath enlisted a diverse array of producers and collaborators, pushing the boundaries of alternative music, resulting in a dynamic blend of digital hardcore, hyper-pop, alt-rap, and electronica.
Earlier this year, at the iconic annual SXSW Festival in Austin, Balming Tiger played a significant role by co-presenting, curating, and headlining ‘Tiger Den,’ SXSW’s first-ever all-Asian lineup. The lineup featured artists such as Shye (Singapore), Tohji (Japan), LØREN (South Korea), Lunadira (Malaysia), and more.
To culminate their world tour, Balming Tiger will perform in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Maho Rasop Festival on December 2nd.
“Kamehameha” is the latest piece of the puzzle to be unveiled from their highly anticipated debut album. Stay tuned for more exciting updates.
‘January Never Dies’ Tracklist:
1. BTB
2. Buriburi
3. Pigeons and Plastic (Interlude)
4. Bodycoke
5. Kamehameha
6. 5:5 Dharma (Interlude)
7. Sudden Attack
8. SEXY NUKIM (feat. RM of BTS)
9. Trust Yourself
10. Riot
11. UP!
12. Moving Forward
13. Scumbag
14. SOS
“Kamehameha” single artwork by Seoulthesoloist Stream “Kamehameha” here: balmingtiger.ffm.to/kamehameha.OOW
