Fan Chant: Vocalist Afgan Talks Creating “Escape” with JESSI and New Album Sonder

The post Fan Chant: Vocalist Afgan Talks Creating “Escape” with JESSI and New Album Sonder appeared first on Consequence .

Welcome back to Fan Chant , a weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. This week, something a little different — Indonesian vocalist Afgan is here to chat about his new album, Sonder , including the fun collaboration with soloist JESSI . If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and subscribe to my companion newsletter to get Fan Chant delivered right to your inbox each week!

Afgan describes his new album, Sonder , as an emotional rollercoaster. With a title referring to the epiphany that every stranger around us is living their own rich, fully realized life, Sonder swings from “insecurities and pain” to “playful, joyful” moments.

The focus track of the album, “Escape,” definitively lands in that second category. To achieve the bright nature he felt the single demanded, Afgan teamed up with JESSI, and the two flew to Bali to film the music video. “JESSI was super spontaneous,” he recalls of their time on set together.

Watch the music video for “Escape” below, and read on for the full interview with Afgan.

“Escape” is so fun! How did this collaboration come about? How did JESSI get on your radar?

I completed the track in London with some British producers, and originally, “Escape” was supposed to be my own song. But I felt like since there’s a summery vibe to the song, it needed an extra touch. I ended up reaching out to JESSI, who I’d met before in Jakarta at a show we both performed at together. I’m so glad she said yes as I think “Escape” is perfect for us.

What’s your process usually like in the studio? Do you have any specific memories from working on this track?

For Sonder , I wanted to record the entire project in London. I worked with James Essien and Adam [Knight], and for “Escape,” the producer is Eddie Serafica. I remember coming into the studio, and they played me a beat that they’d been working on before I arrived. I liked what I heard, and then we started to figure out the melodies and the lyrics. We usually start with a theme. Usually it comes from how the sound and the beat makes me feel.

For “Escape,” when I first heard the chords and the beats, I felt like this is such a good summer song. This is what I would listen to if I ever went on a road trip with my friends. We decided to call it “Escape” because everybody needs to escape from their mundane, daily life, from offices, work meetings, and all of that. I want people to feel good and joyful when they hear this song.

I know you also filmed a video for this one. What were those few days like? Did you get to spend time with JESSI in person?

I’m so glad JESSI was able to come all the way from Seoul to Bali to shoot the music video with me. While we didn’t get to record the song in the same room, I’m happy we got to work on the music video together. It was a fun experience. Originally, we were going to film indoors, because it was too hot, but JESSI was super spontaneous and suggested we go outside as well. She really wanted to capture that Bali vibe. She had her own vision and adjusted some of the scenes, the entire process was super collaborative.

You described the song as the energy of a road trip with friends. As summer approaches, do you have any dream travel destinations?

I always wanted to go to places I’ve never been. I’ve been to Italy, but I’ve never been to Milan. I want to go to Barcelona. I also really want to go to Greece. Those three are probably at the top of my list.

What do you think “Escape,” as the focus track, captures about the rest of the project?

My project is called Sonder , which means that everyone that you see or meet in this life, even people that you pass by on the street, all have their own stories. They all have their own journeys. I really hope that when people listen to this project, they can feel that somehow they relate to the lyrics and can interpret it in their own way according to their own unique journey.

“Shallow Water,” the first single we released from the EP, is a ballad that has really deep lyrics. It talks about insecurities; it talks about pain. But with “Escape,” I want people to see their other side of me that is also playful — that is also joyful and hopeful about life. So it’s definitely an emotional roller coaster when you hear the whole EP.

Are there any artists you’ve kept on repeat lately?

I listen to a lot of old school R&B. My favorite genre is Neo R&B. I listened to a lot of Janet Jackson. She’s like my forever idol. Something about her voice and about her lyrics and of course the sound, it just resonates with me so much. I’m also listening to Ariana Grande and Tom Misch, and a lot of other different stuff, but my main core is R&B.

What’s a piece of art (movie, album, book, museum experience) that left you feeling creatively inspired lately?

I have this painting in my home studio. It’s just a painting of the sky. It’s like a sunset, a cloudy sky. Every time I see that painting, I feel like I can see through a window. It calms me, it brings me a sense of peace, and I just want to be surrounded by all of that calm energy.

Feel free to share anything else about the song or your album that we haven’t touched on yet!

I have Thuy featured on one of the songs on this EP, called “Criminal,” and when I listen to her voice on this song, her vocals really elevate the song. I’m super thankful that she was willing to collaborate on this song. I also hope that one day we can meet in person and perform the song together. This EP is very different from my previous English album, Wallflower . I think I went deeper into my personal struggles and personal issues that I am facing every day. I want people who listen to the music to know me. I want them to not feel alone when they hear this album.

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Photo courtesy of CUBE Entertainment

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Song Rec of the Week:

This new release from RIIZE is pure, summery serotonin. Just as the name of the song suggests, the incredible bassline anchors the track, but the throwback energy on the keyboard keeps the energy sky-high throughout the verses. It’s all just so much fun — be sure to check out the music video and choreography if you have yet to do so.

Fan Chant: Vocalist Afgan Talks Creating “Escape” with JESSI and New Album Sonder
Mary Siroky