Glen Check is a South Korean duo of Kim June One and Zayvo, whose musical experimentation and innovation have established a unique presence both domestically and internationally. Initially formed as a duo in 2011 by June One and Hyuk Jun (who later left the band), they have been recognized for their creative approach, seamlessly blending electronic and rock with various genres like synth-pop to hip-hop, R&B, and jazz. Continuously pushing musical boundaries, Glen Check has been praised for their bold and genre-defying sound.
Since their formation in 2011, they have captivated audiences with their sleek production and genre-defying sound. Their early albums, “Haute Couture” and “YOUTH!”, established them as a force in the Korean music scene, earning them multiple Korean Music Awards for Best Dance & Electronic Album.
Their music has gained international recognition, with “The Glen Check Experience EP” (2017) landing on Billboard’s 20 Best K-pop Albums of 2017, “Runaway” being featured in the League of Legends World Championship, and “Dazed & Confused” and “4Ever” included in Netflix Japan’s series The Boyfriend. With electrifying live performances and a growing global fanbase, Glen Check continues to push musical boundaries, solidifying their place as one of South Korea’s most innovative acts. Building on this momentum, they are now set to embark on their next chapter with “X-Dreams”, their fourth full-length album that will be released in three parts, first of which is this EP slated for release on April 25.
The First Chapter of Their Fourth Full-Length Album “X-Dreams”
Marking the beginning of an innovative three-phase rollout, this EP embodies the bright and free-spirited essence of summer and sets the tone for the exciting journey ahead. As June One explains, “If our previous album “Bleach” was a ‘reset’ from a blank slate, then “X-Dreams” is the journey that follows into an exploration of free-flowing dreams and the world beyond. “X-Dreams” stands for ‘crossed dreams,’ symbolizing the intersection of Glen Check’s diverse influences, genre-blending creativity, and the clash between artistic dreams and reality, all woven into a cohesive and epic narrative. With this album, Glen Check merges reggae, dub, trip-hop, breakbeat, shoegaze, and Madchester, creating a fresh and distinctive musical identity. “All of these elements intertwine within a single track, while some songs stem from something as simple as the image of sunlight,” adds June One.
The focus track, “Good Times” is a summer anthem that layers reggae, dub, gospel choruses, and psychedelic synths into a vibrant soundscape. As June One sings “together we stay young and free, I can feel the miracles, we can be unbreakable”, this song is about emerging from failure and lethargy, stepping once again toward the light. The group chorus in the track serves as a symbolic ritual of healing and solidarity. The “Good Times” music video was shot in Phuket, Thailand, with the aim of capturing the vibrant vibes of the song.
Blending psychedelic rock, surf aesthetics, and dreamy textures, “Sunkissed” captures the fleeting romance of a midsummer beach and its lingering afterglow. The lyrics “what if something is wrong with my heartbeat, am I falling in love?” convey an emotion that is the true narrator of the story.
“Odd Girl” is a fusion of shoegaze-style guitars and breakbeat rhythms that tell a story about a young boy mesmerized by a mysterious, unfamiliar presence. Perhaps, the “odd girl” is none other than the artist himself, and this song is a tribute to the beauty of emotions that feel misaligned and unfamiliar.
Like a hand slicing through air, the rhythms build and explode in “In The Air”, a festival-ready highlight track, merging trip-hop beats with a collective sense of liberation. More than an individual act of resistance, this song channels a communal surge of energy, breaking free from oppression and embracing freedom together.
Set against the laid-back fusion of ’90s boom-bap beats and California-style guitar sounds, “Head In The Sun” paints a picture of youthful confusion while chasing dreams. A mix of daydreams, the rough edges of reality, and the lingering desire to keep pursuing dreams, this song drifts between cool despair and effortless longing.
Staying true to their DIY approach, Glen Check composed, recorded, and mixed every track of “X-Dreams” themselves. Using vintage analog gear like old Mackie mixers and SSL consoles, they’ve crafted a sound that is both nostalgic and vibrantly alive. More than just a finished product, “X-Dreams” represents an ongoing journey. June One wants to express, “An album is not something that’s completed in an instant. It grows and evolves over time. If you choose to be part of this journey with us, we believe it will become even more meaningful.” With the second and third releases still to come, the album will unfold into a larger narrative, inviting fans to be part of the creative process through collaborative experiences.
Discography
- 2011.02.11 EP Disco Elevator
- 2012.03.06 LP Haute Couture
- 2012.09.28 EP Cliché
- 2012.12.11 EP ‘84
- 2013.11.19 LP YOUTH!
- 2017.08.13 EP The Glen Check Experience EP
- 2022.03.03 LP Bleach
- 2023.05.23 EP Pulp
- 2024.03.22 LP Electronic Live System 2024
