Super Junior has come back with their 7th full-length album <MAMACITA> after two years and two months of hiatus. The group has been continuing ‘(blank) men’ concept for ten years and now, they’ve really become mannish men with mature charms.
They changed styles in music as well. The title track ‘MAMACITA’ is an urban new jack swing with an Indian percussion base and a piano line. Trendy electronic sounds which were significant to Super Junior known as ‘SJ Funky’ are minimized, and repetitive lyrics and hooks are also cutback. The song can now be enjoyed by fans in their 30s and 40s.
We put down Super Junior’s changes and plans in Q&A.
A. The song <MAMACITA> is the result of your ambitious preparation, what did you focus on?
Lee Teuk: What we agonize the most when preparing a new album is how to show our unrevealed features to the public. So, this time, we focused on not falling into mannerism. It’s been ten years since we made a debut and I thought that maybe we’ve been shutting ourselves off from other people’s opinion. So, we tried our best to embrace others’ opinions this time. Each members participated in the album making based on their experiences.
A. What is the goal of the album promotion?
Lee Teuk: In the past, I thought becoming #1 winner in music shows, or receiving the best artist of the year award were the most important factors. Of course they are important but now I think being with SJ members and working with great people are indeed happiness. I want to have fun and live exciting life which is what I’m aiming for the most.
A. EXO has made a remarkable growth as new artists. Although EXO and Super Junior share the same music label, you must feel intimidated by their rising popularity.
Lee Teuk: They are not intimidating…It is up to fans whether they stick to us or join other artists’ fandom. I actually feel good about EXO because I was the host of their debut showcase and watched them receiving #1 awards while in the army. I felt proud of them. No one is a lifetime winner or a loser. Competing against each other and taking someone’s spot are not important. What is more important is to promote that South Korea has such talented artists through our music.
Eun Hyuk: If we lose our job or something, then yes EXO can be intimidating, but we have our ways and EXO has theirs. I think it is a win-win situation for both teams.
Kang In: And if someone’s going to take away our spot, it is better to be EXO than other artists.
They changed styles in music as well. The title track ‘MAMACITA’ is an urban new jack swing with an Indian percussion base and a piano line. Trendy electronic sounds which were significant to Super Junior known as ‘SJ Funky’ are minimized, and repetitive lyrics and hooks are also cutback. The song can now be enjoyed by fans in their 30s and 40s.
We put down Super Junior’s changes and plans in Q&A.
A. The song <MAMACITA> is the result of your ambitious preparation, what did you focus on?
Lee Teuk: What we agonize the most when preparing a new album is how to show our unrevealed features to the public. So, this time, we focused on not falling into mannerism. It’s been ten years since we made a debut and I thought that maybe we’ve been shutting ourselves off from other people’s opinion. So, we tried our best to embrace others’ opinions this time. Each members participated in the album making based on their experiences.
A. What is the goal of the album promotion?
Lee Teuk: In the past, I thought becoming #1 winner in music shows, or receiving the best artist of the year award were the most important factors. Of course they are important but now I think being with SJ members and working with great people are indeed happiness. I want to have fun and live exciting life which is what I’m aiming for the most.
A. EXO has made a remarkable growth as new artists. Although EXO and Super Junior share the same music label, you must feel intimidated by their rising popularity.
Lee Teuk: They are not intimidating…It is up to fans whether they stick to us or join other artists’ fandom. I actually feel good about EXO because I was the host of their debut showcase and watched them receiving #1 awards while in the army. I felt proud of them. No one is a lifetime winner or a loser. Competing against each other and taking someone’s spot are not important. What is more important is to promote that South Korea has such talented artists through our music.
Eun Hyuk: If we lose our job or something, then yes EXO can be intimidating, but we have our ways and EXO has theirs. I think it is a win-win situation for both teams.
Kang In: And if someone’s going to take away our spot, it is better to be EXO than other artists.