[Review] Matt Park’s new EP, “To You, From Me”, is a collection of six delicate musical letters written by a pianist and new father. With only a single piano, the album charts a course through the wondrous and overwhelming journey of the first two months with a child, guiding the listener into a world of warmth and profound emotion.
The opening track, “A Tiny Breath,” begins the album by portraying the mystery of a new life with a transparent melody and breath-like spaces. The following piece, “An Unspoken Language,” warmly expresses the tender process of getting to know one another through a dialogue of cries and eye contact, much like an intimate conversation between the piano’s left and right hands.
“The Quiet Hour of 4 PM” paints a picture of miraculous peace, leading the album’s emotional line to a deeper place. Within this quietness, the album’s emotional pinnacle, “Two Moons, One Universe,” reveals itself. It is a declaration that the two moons, mother and father, have now begun to revolve around the one universe that is the baby, singing of this new world order with rich, heart-swelling chords.
This wondrous realization then blossoms in “Ode to Life” as a warm and hopeful melody. Its gentle keystrokes and a feeling of forward progression sing of the brilliant energy radiated by the small life that has become the center of the new world, and the pure joy its existence brings. And finally, decorating the end of the album, “And So It Begins” serves as a hopeful epilogue, declaring that this entire journey is not an end but a new beginning, leaving a deep resonance with anticipation for the infinite future ahead.
[ARTIST] Matt Park
[ALBUM] To You, From Me
[TRACKLIST] 01. A Tiny Breath 02. An Unspoken Language 03. The Quiet Hour of 4 PM 04. Two Moons, One Universe * 05. Ode to Life 06. And So It Begins
[SONGWRITING] Composition — Matt Park Arrangement — Matt Park
[MUSICIANS] Piano — Matt Park
[ENGINEERING] Recording — Matt Park Mixing & Mastering — Matt Park at Studio Haze, Seoul
[ARTWORK] Art Direction — HAZE CANVAS® Photography — Stella Yang Design — Matt Park
[PRODUCTION] Executive Producer — HAZE SOUND® Producer — Matt Park
[Review] Matt Park’s latest single, “T1 Faker”, is a lively jazz piece created to celebrate the legendary fifth Worlds victory of Faker. With an upbeat piano melody, groovy bass, and rhythmic drums, the track immerses listeners in a celebratory parade atmosphere, making them feel as if they’re right in the heart of the festivities.
Though brief, this powerful track captures the joy and exhilaration of victory, bringing both game and music fans together in shared excitement. Matt Park’s jazz flair shines in “T1 Faker”, delivering a vibrant musical tribute that invites everyone to join in on the celebration.
[Interview] Q. What inspired you to release this single, “T1 Faker”? Is there a special reason behind it?
A. This track was created to celebrate Faker’s fifth Worlds victory, and as a fan, I wanted to share in that joy. Watching the Worlds games, I was inspired by the energy and excitement of Faker’s plays, and I wanted to express that through music. Jazz, with its lively and free-spirited nature, felt like the perfect genre to capture the festive atmosphere of this victory.
Q. Since it’s a celebratory piece, it seems like you paid special attention to the mood of the track. What did you focus on the most?
A. Absolutely. The core of this track is centered around “joy” and “celebration.” I focused on creating an infectious groove with the piano, bass, and drums so that listeners can really feel the excitement. I also added elements of jazz improvisation to make it feel as though you’re right there in the moment, celebrating alongside everyone else.
Q. We can definitely feel your enthusiasm for Faker! Is there a message you’d like to share with your audience through this track?
A. I hope that as you listen to this track, you can feel the thrill of celebrating Faker’s victory. My wish is that this music brings you a brief but intense burst of joy and energy as well.
[ARTIST] Matt Park
[ALBUM] T1 Faker
[TRACKLIST] 01. T1 Faker
[SONGWRITING] Composition — Matt Park Arrangement — Matt Park
[MUSICIANS] Piano — Matt Park Bass — Matt Park Drums — Matt Park
[ENGINEERING] Recording — Matt Park Mixing & Mastering — Matt Park at Studio Haze, Seoul
[ARTWORK] Art Direction — HAZE CANVAS® Design — Matt Park
[PRODUCTION] Executive Producer — HAZE SOUND® Producer — Matt Park
[Review] Matt Park’s 2nd EP, “Afternoon Stroll”, centers around jazz piano to evoke feelings of warmth and romance. Though short, the four tracks are filled with powerful emotions, guiding listeners through moments of love and nostalgia. The first track, “The Road to You”, featuring piano and bass, beautifully conveys the tender emotions as two people draw closer to one another, expressing the warmth of their journey toward love.
The second track, “Afternoon Stroll”, features piano, guitar, bass, and drums, as the album’s title track. It conveys the relaxed joy of walking together under the warm afternoon sun. The gentle yet lively rhythm embraces the listener, gently expressing the joy of an afternoon stroll.
The third track, “Whispers of Love”, is a solo piano piece that captures the delicate and sincere moment of a love confession. The tender melody evokes deep emotions, allowing listeners to relive the thrill of revealing one’s heart.
The final track, “Just Married”, celebrates the special moment of marriage with a bright and cheerful piano performance. This uplifting piece leaves listeners with a smile, beautifully concluding the album and celebrating the union of love.
[Interview] Q. You recently released a full-length album, and now you’ve followed it up with an EP. Was there a special reason for this quick release?
A. This EP is different from the full-length album in that it was a special project to celebrate my second anniversary with my wife. My first EP, My Way, which I created before meeting her, was a work focused on myself. In contrast, Afternoon Stroll came from a desire to capture the precious moments we’ve shared together in music. More than anything, I wanted to encapsulate our shared memories and love in the music.
Q. Congratulations on your second EP release following your full-length album, and also on your anniversary! The album feels just as full of love as your relationship seems to be. Was there anything in particular you focused on while creating this music?
A. Thank you! For this album, I wanted to capture the emotions of our most treasured moments, especially the excitement of our first meeting, the joy of our dates, the nervousness of confessing, and the overwhelming joy on our wedding day.
Q. Lastly, do you have any message or words you’d like to share with your audience?
A. Thank you so much for listening to my music! Through this album, I hope you can also reflect on the moments of love and cherish the time spent with your loved ones. Although this album is filled with my personal stories, I hope the music weaves into your own memories as well.
[ARTIST] Matt Park
[ALBUM] Afternoon Stroll
[TRACKLIST] 01. The Road to You 02. Afternoon Stroll * 03. Whispers of Love 04. Just Married
[SONGWRITING] Composition — Matt Park Arrangement — Matt Park
[MUSICIANS] Piano — Matt Park (All Tracks) Guitar — Matt Park (02) Bass — Matt Park (01, 02) Drums — Matt Park (02)
[ENGINEERING] Recording — Matt Park Mixing & Mastering — Matt Park at Studio Haze, Seoul
[ARTWORK] Art Direction — HAZE CANVAS® Design — Matt Park
[PRODUCTION] Executive Producer — HAZE SOUND® Producer — Matt Park
[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
[SONGWRITING] Composition — Matt Park Arrangement — Matt Park
[MUSICIANS] Piano — Matt Park (All Tracks) Bass — Matt Park (01, 02, 03, 10, 11) Drums — Matt Park (01, 02, 03, 06, 10, 11)
[ENGINEERING] Recording — Matt Park Mixing & Mastering — Matt Park at Studio Haze, Seoul
[ARTWORK] Art Direction — HAZE CANVAS® Design — Matt Park
[PRODUCTION] Executive Producer — HAZE SOUND® Producer — Matt Park
