Daily Non-K-pop Spotlight: “Where Am I” by Mio Si

Korean Indie Rock is so fascinating. One of the prevailing trends in certain subgenres is taking wildly energetic electric guitar with weird, abrasive tones and then pairing it with a chill drum beat and a beautiful, ballad-esque female vocal. “Where Am I” by Mio Si sits squarely in this trend. But, instead of feeling cliche, they prove why the trend works. They do it so well.

 

The song opens with an isolated drum beat before the guitar and bass slide in together. The guitar is bright, with a light chorus effect and an insane, fast-but-subtle tremolo. It makes the guitar sound otherworldly, and the lick is at once melodic and punchy. Instead of being a tool to support the vocalist, the lead guitar feels like a vocalist in and of itself, with its own voice, personality, and haunting things to say. 

 

 

All of this doesn’t take away from the lead vocal performance, which is subdued during the first two minutes, but really leans into the action and dials up the drama in the back half, with soulful slides and strong held notes that lean into the band’s dissonance – especially when the lead guitar finally takes off in an unhinged guitar solo. 

 

If you like what you hear, give Mio Si a follow on Instagram.