Leave it to Chaeyoung to do something different.
The TWICE member and undeniable creative has long displayed a particularly idiosyncratic style and thoughtfully singular perspective, and as she finally enters into her first proper chapter as a solo artist, it’s a pleasure to see her fully assert her vision.
Hence, it makes perfect sense for her to share “Avocado” ahead of the project’s true lead single. It reads like a statement of intent.
Lush may indeed be an overused term in music writer land, but there’s no more sincere way to describe the simple yet deeply echoing music on display here. Guided by the intoxicating lull of a layered groove partially courtesy of unsung Japanese Bedroom pop trio Gliiico (Chaeyoung doing her own, unexpected thing, as usual), much as the song’s video displays, the song proves a irresistible call to another world, one entirely of its author’s design. The lyrics are all scrawled-on-a-napkin simple poignancy; when she sings, “Leave me / Deceive me / See me as yours”: see me, not an actual mutual reality, it could be as easily pointed at a possessive lover as her more obsessive fans.
The video itself is equally notable, beginning with a rather, shall we say, surprising descent into the netherworld of her dreams. It must be seen to believed. Suffice to say, when an anthropomorphic avocado strikingly and violently devours our leading lady, one immediately thinks, “Yep, that was definitely Chaeyoung’s idea.”
Check it out below, and look out for LIL FANTASY vol.1 come September 12th. Given that JYP has started every other TWICE member to receive a solo debut with an EP/mini, that Chaeyoung is arriving with a full LP displays supreme confidence in what she’s put together. Something great approaches.
