The crossover star breaks her three-year hiatus with a catchy hit that balances soft-spoken introspection with fierce drum & bass.
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When Yaeji released her first EPs (Yaeji and EP2) in 2017, they were beloved for their lo-fi, bubbly nonchalance. In recent years, the endearing New York-based producer has been venturing deeper into introspective territory, as seen in the mixtape she released during the thick of the pandemic, What We Drew 우리가 그려왔던, where she discussed daily stressors against haunting melodies.
On Yaeji's first release since 2020, "For Granted," she's still contemplative. The lead single off her forthcoming debut album, With A Hammer, features vulnerable, soul-searching lyrics that seemingly reference her meteoric rise as an artist. The squelchy beats gradually escalate into frenzied drum & bass—a transition that occurs precisely when the full force of Yaeji's ruminative lyrics hits listeners. In this sweet spot where uncertainty transforms into catharsis, she releases the last of her relatable thoughts over an explosion of hyperactive drums. And in typical Yaeji fashion, she builds all this energy without ever breaking her gentle coo.