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Like the album title ‘QUINTESSENCE,’ preparing this record was a period of self-searching and questions. I hope people enjoy listening, and when the time is right, I want to share many of my questions and thoughts with everyone.
On May 18, at the Cube Convention Center in Mapo, Seoul, singer Taeyang held a media listening session ahead of his comeback with his fourth studio album, QUINTESSENCE. He described this year as a blur and said he always feels similar emotions before a release. “I have many thoughts, but I’m happier than ever. I’m glad I can give fans a gift on my birthday, and after a year of preparation, releasing this album feels like a relief,” he said.
The album title, meaning “essence” or “quintessence,” reflects a long-running preoccupation for Taeyang. With this record, he aims to both solidify his distinct musical identity and expand into a deeper, broader sonic world. “When I started working on the album a year ago, the words that stayed with me were ‘essence’ and ‘quintessence.’ While exploring those ideas, I discovered the word ‘QUINTESSENCE.’ Naming the album opened up many sources of inspiration. This record documents the process of seeking essence and researching how to capture true essence in my music,” he explained.
The lead single, “LIVE FAST DIE SLOW,” is a declaration about holding onto one’s center amid a fast-moving world and honoring the intense years lived on his own terms. The song pairs a paradoxical image—portraying pain and destruction as bright flames—with a determined will to keep progressing down an uncertain road.
Taeyang said, “We live in a rapidly changing era, but I arrived here at my own pace and direction. I wanted to express my intention to keep living according to my speed and course.” He added, “I usually finish all the album tracks and then pick a title track, but this time I treated every song like a title track. I agonized over the final choice, but when I began writing the lyrics for this song, I felt it fit the album best and described who I am now.”
Fans can also expect a fresh approach to performance. Taeyang said they tried many new things in both choreography and staging. “I wanted moves that feel different from what I’ve done before, and the staging includes varied elements. Above all, I focused on energy for this performance. I designed the stage to center on the energy exchanged with fans and the audience,” he said.
The new record maps a journey toward an unseen but essential value. Rather than rushing to define a single correct answer, it reveals Taeyang’s questions, emotions, and the attitude he brings to the search. The opening track, “BAD,” marks his first collaboration with The Stereotypes, who also contributed to songs like “MOVIE” and “NOW.” Taeyang said, “They were a team I wanted to work with for a long time. We had meetings years ago, but this is the first time a project came together. I’m grateful we could create various songs through a song camp.”
He also teamed up with Paul Blanco for the first time on tracks such as “LOVE LIKE THIS” and “YES.” Taeyang explained, “When I began the album, I thought a lot about which producers would fit. Our A&R team listed candidates, and Paul was the most eager to work with me. He loved my older songs like ‘The Fool with Only Tears’ and ‘Baby, I’m Sorry’ and said he wanted to make that kind of music. When you meet a new collaborator, the biggest concern is whether they understand your tastes and legacy so you can stay true to yourself. Paul solved that for me. He treated the project like his own album, and I appreciate how much effort he put in.”
Asked why he pursued new approaches and collaborations, Taeyang answered, “This year marks a crucial 20th anniversary. Over 20 years I’ve released so much music and done so many activities that trying something new felt difficult. Still, I wondered what I could do if I tried new things now, and I wanted to capture that spirit.”
Because the album is deeply personal, Taeyang wrote lyrics for most of the tracks. However, the fourth track, “MOVIE,” does not carry his name as a lyricist; Tablo wrote the lyrics. Taeyang recalled, “When I first played the demo, he genuinely liked it. He said the song was great and dove into working on it right away. It felt like it wrapped up in two or three days. Usually we revise to match my vocal lines and then add my name to the lyric credits, but for ‘MOVIE,’ the initial lyrics fit the concept and expression perfectly. We recorded it without any changes.”
Tablo also contributed lyrics for songs like “OPEN UP” and “G.O.A.T.” “OPEN UP” features The Kid LAROI. Taeyang recounted, “When the song was first finished, everyone imagined The Kid LAROI. I felt the same and wondered how we could reach him. A week later he came to Korea for a Spotify event. Through an acquaintance I reached out, and when I told him I was working on an album, he asked to hear the song. I said I hoped he’d like it. Before the first verse even finished, he said he loved it and naturally agreed to feature.”
The album includes 10 tracks in total, including “WOULD YOU” and “4U,” which express Taeyang’s sincere feelings for his fans. That focus stands out on a record centered on essence and quintessence. “I recently held my first fan-meeting tour and felt emotions and moments of awe I hadn’t experienced before. That had a big impact. Now, after 20 years, I realize the core of my career is the fans who loved my music and performances. They feel like miracles, and that reflection appears in the album,” he said.
When asked whether he found answers while making the album, Taeyang replied, “When I named the album and started, I thought I might arrive at an answer. But as I worked and the songs came together, I realized you can’t define essence in a single word. If I declared I had found the essence and ended the search, that wouldn’t be true. As I finished the album, I felt I still couldn’t claim I’d found it. Maintaining a mindset and attitude of ongoing searching and direction feels more important.”
On his plans for promotion, Taeyang said, “I’ve been busy finishing the album up until today, and I expect things will get even busier. I want to pack everything I wanted to do and everything I can do into my activities so I won’t have regrets. This year you’ll see many different sides of me. I started a major 20th-anniversary project as a solo artist, and I’ll continue appearing with BigBang members in various ways, so please look forward to it.”
Taeyang’s fourth studio album, QUINTESSENCE, was released today (May 18) at 6 p.m. on major online music platforms.
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