Matt Park – Hide and Seek
[Review]
Matt Park’s 1st full-length album, Hide and Seek, captivates listeners through its blend of jazz piano and diverse arrangements. Each track features piano-driven melodies with rhythmic shifts that convey deep emotions and a variety of sounds.
The opening track, “Sunny Side Up,” sets a bright and positive tone with its harmonious combination of piano, bass, and drums, reflecting the joy of a clear day. Following this, “Run with the Sun” continues with the same instrumentation, delivering energetic rhythms that evoke the feeling of running alongside the sun’s radiance.
“Peek-a-Boo!” playfully balances lively piano, bass, and drums, maintaining the album’s cheerful vibe while adding a touch of mischievous charm. “Around the Corner” and “The Wind Will Tell” shift into piano solos, leaving behind an emotional resonance, creating a serene atmosphere as if waiting for the wind to deliver answers from the future.
“Odd Tales” showcases a unique combination of piano and drums, capturing the free-flowing nature of jazz, drawing the listener into its narrative. “Did You Notice?” and “Just Missed” are introspective piano solos, leaving a profound impression through their simplicity and depth.
The title track, “Hide and Seek,” features a fast-paced, dazzling piano solo that perfectly captures the tension and excitement of the game. With multiple moments where the track seems to end, only to start again, it mirrors the experience of almost finding someone in a game of hide and seek. The dynamic and lively performance ensures that the solo piano remains engaging throughout, keeping listeners engaged until the very end.
As the album progresses, “Everyone’s Hideout” and “Endless Play” bring back the trio of piano, bass, and drums, revitalizing the album’s lively spirit. “Endless Play,” in particular, rounds off the album with playful, upbeat rhythms, leaving a memorable finish.
[Interview]
Q. First of all, congratulations on releasing your first full-length album. It must hold special meaning, especially after 12 years since your debut.
A. Thank you! It’s been 12 years since I released my first track during my university days just for fun, and it’s amazing to see how far it has come. Since my main job is in the trading industry, I don’t have much time to work on albums, but every time I release one, I feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. This first full-length album, in particular, feels like my official debut, making it even more special to me.
Q. It’s impressive that you produced all the tracks yourself. Was there a particular reason for doing it this way?
A. After joining the composition team Olive Planet, I released collaborative vocal tracks under the name “Yeonmot” and instrumental tracks under “Eunhana.” On the other hand, the tracks I worked on alone were released under my real name, prioritizing experimentation over perfection. The singles I released earlier this year, Sunny Side Up and Odd Tales, received unexpectedly positive reactions, which led me to create the follow-up track, Hide and Seek. During the planning process, I decided to bring together several smaller tracks to release as a full-length album.
Q. What was the theme or inspiration behind your first full-length album, Hide and Seek?
A. Hide and Seek started with the idea of expressing the tension and excitement we experience in everyday life through music. Much like in hide and seek, there are moments in life when we search for, hide, and then rediscover things. I felt that this process could be effectively captured in music, and each track in the album reflects that journey. I wanted the title track, “Hide and Seek,” to be structured as a fast-paced and intense piano solo from the start, aiming to express the tension and thrill of finding someone in the game. That’s why I included multiple “false endings,” and I concentrated on using just one piano to fully capture the dynamic energy.
Q. What message do you hope to convey to listeners through this album?
A. I hope this album becomes more than just a listening experience; I want it to be something special for the listeners. Through this album, I hope they can explore their own emotions, sometimes hiding and sometimes discovering, just like in a game of hide and seek. I also aimed to demonstrate the emotional range that the piano, and other instruments, can express. Although my music may be imperfect, I am truly grateful to everyone who took the time to listen!
[Artist]
Matt Park
[Album]
Hide and Seek
[Tracklist]
01. Sunny Side Up
02. Run with the Sun
03. Peek-a-Boo!
04. Around the Corner
05. The Wind Will Tell
06. Odd Tales
07. Did You Notice?
08. Just Missed
09. Hide and Seek *
10. Everyone’s Hideout
11. Endless Play
[Management]
Designed by Studio J
Managed by Olive Planet
Published by 3.14
[Songwriting]
Composed by Matt Park
Arranged by Matt Park
[Instruments]
Piano by Matt Park (All Tracks)
Bass by Matt Park (01, 02, 03, 09, 11)
Drums by Matt Park (01, 02, 03, 06, 09, 11)
[Production]
Produced by Matt Park
Recorded by Matt Park
Mixed by Matt Park
@ Studio J
Mastered by Matt Park
@ Madmade Mastering
Released on Oct 30, 2024