(Photo courtesy of JYP ENTERTAINMENT)

[Hanteo News = Reporter JUNG JUNHWA] Xdinary Heroes returns on the 12th with its new mini album ‘IMPULSE’ and the title track ‘Obsessed with Youth.’ The songs will be released at 6 PM on the same day.

 

The band, which has built up the modifier “melting pot of genres,” sings of instinctive emotions in this album, placing “Desire” and “Impulse” at its center. It is a space where the brilliance of youth and the anxiety behind it coexist. The five members JUNGSU, GAON, O.de, Jun Han, and JOOYEON say they will accept moments where positivity and anxiety, excitement and longing are mixed together as they are, and find their own direction.

 

The album contains a total of seven tracks, including the title track, as well as ‘Give Up The Ghost,’ ‘Slashhh!,’ ‘u and me in arguments,’ ‘You Right There,’ ‘Love in dystopia,’ and ‘Breathe in, Breathe out.’ The members are credited on several tracks.

 

During their previous promotion period, Xdinary Heroes took the stage on its world tour, as well as at ‘Lollapalooza Chicago,’ the ‘2025 Busan International Rock Festival,’ and the opening stage for British rock band MUSE’s concert in Korea. Based on those experiences, the band is said to have widened its range of expression, from explosive band sounds to delicate acoustic arrangements. Ahead of the release, the five members sent written answers through their agency.

 

Q. With the new album ‘IMPULSE,’ you talk about instinctive emotions. What message did you most want to convey while preparing the album? We are also curious about what has changed musically and visually compared to your previous work ‘DEAD AND.’

 

Xdinary Heroes: With “desire” as the keyword, we wanted to express the various emotions people have through music. Whether positive or negative, we wanted to convey the message that no matter what emotion comes, we hope people accept it as it is and do not deny their own hearts. Every time we release an album, we think about how to show a different visual. This time, we captured a deeper mood and a more mature charm. Musically and stylistically, you will be able to feel a more refined change than before.

 

Q. The title track ‘Obsessed with Youth’ sings of the overwhelming feelings and instability of youth, as well as brilliant moments that are fading away, with “youth” and “longing” as its main themes. What emotion resonated most strongly with the members while making the song?

 

Xdinary Heroes: The overwhelming feeling full of hope and the anxiety that coexists within it resonated with us the most. We could also feel the desire to grow more than we have now. It is a song that feels as if one is willingly pouring every moment of the present into reaching the future they dream of. Since it contains complex emotions, we hope listeners can relate to it.

 

Q. What did you pay particular attention to in terms of music and stage performance in order to express the ambivalent emotions of youth’s overwhelming feelings and instability?

 

Xdinary Heroes: We are also passing through youth right now, swaying between conflicting emotions just like the title track, so we were able to immerse ourselves deeply in the work. Since the song contains a fresher and brighter mood than our previous work, we focused on naturally bringing out the energy in each member’s performance and vocals. Rather than showing a perfectly polished image, we thought the best way to express it was to fully reveal emotions that can only be experienced during this time, even if they may be a little awkward. On stage as well, we try to show the emotions and heat of each moment without holding back, so that our sincerity can reach the audience.

 

Q. You are also credited on many B-side tracks, including the title track, ‘Slashhh!,’ ‘u and me in arguments,’ ‘You Right There,’ ‘Love in dystopia,’ and ‘Breathe in, Breathe out.’ Please introduce any memorable parts.

 

JUNGSU: When “you right there” came out while working on ‘You Right There,’ I felt certain, like, “This is it.” I felt relieved because I thought we had finally completed the theme that would become the core of the song.

 

GAON: I really like the “I wanna hear your voice, calling my name” part in ‘You Right There.’ I also thought that adding a twist to the lyrics would make it more fun for listeners, so I tried putting in “If i could.” I hope it becomes a point where you can feel a lingering impression.

 

O.de: In the title track ‘Obsessed with Youth,’ the lyrics “All the seasons that passed by, all the wasted youth, keep me alive, yeah / So I wanna be obsessed with youth” best capture the sentiment of youth, so I have particular affection for that line. ‘Breathe in, Breathe out’ was initially a song with a very grand atmosphere, but as we reinterpreted it with an acoustic arrangement, it gained an even more delicate and charming color.

 

Q. If you were to choose a track from the new album whose fan response you are looking forward to, which would it be?

 

JUNGSU: ‘Give Up The Ghost.’ I am very excited to see what kind of synergy will be created when our intense energy is added to its unique refined and grand atmosphere. I hope fans can feel that charm with us.

 

GAON: It is ‘u and me in arguments,’ a heavy rock track with an explosive band sound. It is personally a style I really like, so I am very curious to see how fans will listen to it.

 

O.de: I am looking forward to the response to ‘You Right There.’ It is a song with an impressive development that rushes forward without giving you time to catch your breath. I think it is a track that can capture many people’s tastes in this album as well.

 

Jun Han: ‘u and me in arguments.’ It has a minor atmosphere with rough distortion added, so the energy is extremely intense. Since many people like music with a sharp and heavy texture, I think they will welcome it.

 

JOOYEON: ‘Give Up The Ghost.’ It feels as if it was created with live performances in mind from the beginning. I cannot wait to share the sense of presence and heated energy when we perform it live at a concert venue.

 

Q. As a “next-generation representative K-POP band,” you have taken the stage at many places, from Lollapalooza Chicago to the opening stage for British band MUSE’s concert in Korea and various rock festivals. Is there a stage that remains the most memorable?

 

Xdinary Heroes: Every moment on stage with the audience, from Lollapalooza Chicago to the opening stage for British rock band MUSE’s concert in Korea and rock festivals, remains memorable. Lollapalooza Chicago in particular was especially meaningful because it was the first large-scale festival we performed at overseas and a stage we had dreamed of for a long time. The overwhelming emotion and happiness of that day still remain vivid. It is such a precious memory that we still enjoy wearing our Lollapalooza T-shirts.