Ruby Records' female singing-songwriting duo Rainbow Note leads the "Jang Deok Tribute Project" with the release of "After You've Gone" last December 22.
Rainbow Note, signed under Ruby Records, released their cover of the iconic Jang Deok single last December 21. The song, "After You've Gone," is the lead single from Jang Deok's fourth album, "Confessions of an E-Pal Youth," released in 1986.
The recent cover of "After You've Gone" leads the "Jang Deok Tribute Project," set for a February 2021 release. Its schedule coincides with the late singer-songwriter's 30th death anniversary.
Jang Deok
Considered a pioneer in Korean pop music, singer-songwriter Jang Deok shocked the Korean music industry with her sudden death on February 4, 1990. The singer was found dead at the young age of 28 due to an overdose from medications she had been taking for depression and insomnia.
Shortly after her death, her colleagues in the industry released a memorial album for her, titled "For The Appointed Time." The project involved some of the Korean music industry's largest names - Lee Sun Hee, Jeon Young-Rok, Choi Sung-Soo, and Kim Bum-Ryong. It was warmly received by Jang Deok's fans that the tribute managed to enter the album charts at the time.
Born on April 21, 1961, Jang Deok had to go through her parents' divorce during her elementary school days. Turning to music, she started writing her own songs in sixth grade, soon learning to play the guitar through her brother, singer-songwriter Jang Hyun. The two soon started performing as "Hyuni and Deok-i," starting their path to fame.
As a songwriter, she became famous not only for the songs she performed, but also songs written for other artists. Jang Deok wrote "You Let Me Go With A Smile," originally sung by Lee Eun-Ha.
Rainbow Note's "After You've Gone"
The indie electropop duo reveals a refreshing side of them with this city pop track - reminiscent of the late 70s and its 80s peak first in Japan and later in other parts of Asia. It surprisingly fits in with the duo's repertoire with its own "City Pop Revival" movement of songs such as "Morning Star," "Gwanganri," and "Asteroid."
Since the duo's 2019 debut under Ruby Records, the duo has been at the forefront of reintroducing the Korean city pop sound to newer audiences. With lyrics illustrating and capturing fleeting moments of love and life, and upbeat electropop elements, Rainbow Note has found itself an audience with the rise of lo-fi music for relaxation.
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According to Kim Sung-Hwan, a Korean music journalist, shared in a statement that once he heard the intro, he "felt that the two were faithfully understanding the original writer and the original song." He cited Sara's musical arrangement, whose urban pop elements which is more upbeat than the original but still delivers the original message. He also commended Seulhee's vocals, completing the overall 80s feel of the music.
With the release of Rainbow Note's version of "After You've Gone," the people behind the "Jang Deok Tribute Project" hopes that the singer-songwriter will be re-examined, especially at a time when music and artists from previous generations are finding a resurgence in the newer generation.
Listen to Rainbow Note's rendition of the Jang Deok classic, "After You've Gone," below:
