Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “Letter” by n@di
This is a smooth K-indie ballad with jazzy undertones. n@di’s sweet lead vocal swoops and soars in such a pure fashion. She has this beautiful break in her voice between her chest and her head voice. It’s a vocal technique that I haven’t heard much of in Korean music – especially in an industry oversaturated with idol groups who are so focused on belting and rapping.
The harmonic progression in this song is relatively straightforward. But the way the electric guitar part is written has a really effective bass line that leads you along from one change to the next. It’s complicated and effective enough to hold attention without any added elements. The song is literally just electric guitar, vocal, and a moment where a second electric guitar comes in for a brief and tasteful solo. There are also moments in this song where the chord progression suddenly cycles through color chords in brief, surprising turnarounds.
This song is a master class in sweet, effective simplicity.