8호실 peridot‘s R&B and hip-hop style instantly grabbed my attention. “Please” is a masterclass in audio and video combos. The song is simple and addictive with the music video’s rooftop hangout creating a fun and intimate setting. A year later, Overtime Life is the group’s newest extended-release and they’ve also added a new member and a new melody line with Cindy.
The group consists of a designer (영제 Youngjé), AI developer (재우 JAEWOO), Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering (영진YoungJin), a sound engineer (강산 Kang San), a “formal soldier” (신디 Cindy). This mix created an excellent fourth full length. “Reply” is a smooth introduction of 8호실 peridot. For people who haven’t heard of the group, it’s an excellent greeting from every member. The differences in vocals and delivery are what makes 8호실 peridot special.
I would also say that 8호실 peridot isn’t a representation of popular Korean hip-hop or R&B. It’s more like a fusion of styles and ideas that use hip-hop as a base and build on it. The instrumentals have an electronic and funk tone too like on “Thousand Energy (Pt. 1).”
Overtime Live sounds like it was a compression of ideas, finding out what worked, and moving to complete songs quickly. Even though the tempos are slow, in the background there’s tension, like there wasn’t enough time. But that quality focuses the entire album to make use of every moment.
In a way, 8호실 peridot reminds me of early Epik High. The group is making music they want to make without worrying about the trends and styles that are happening in popular culture. “She” is a great example of this. Overtime Live should be listened to in one swing and then listeners should dive into individual songs. Overall, It’s a great album. The hope is that audiences don’t miss out on it.
Instagram | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music
Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.