Nam Woo-hyun, 10 Years of Solo Music Captured in 16 Songs in '2X8'

Infinite's Nam Woo-hyun has released his second full-length album, '2X8', in celebration of his 10th anniversary since his solo debut. The album contains a total of 16 songs, and Nam Woo-hyun participated in the writing and composing of all tracks. In an interview on the 13th, one day before the release, he explained that he connected the album title to his birthday, February 8th, and the number of tracks included. His concept was that multiplying 2 and 8 results in 16, and if the number 8 is laid on its side, it becomes the infinity symbol that symbolizes Infinite. He also explained that he expanded the genres and the number of songs to gather the music he has built since starting his solo activities in 2016 into a single album.

Nam Woo-hyun included various genres in the album, not just ballads, but also dance, rock, and R&B. The title track is 'Devil', an up-tempo dance song that he personally wrote and participated in composing and arranging. The album also includes 'Boys and Girls', featuring members of Infinite, 'The Tenth Page', which sings of his 10th solo anniversary, and 'Tree', which delivers comfort. Nam Woo-hyun stated that he captured his experiences and his time with his fans and Infinite members in each song.

An album title containing his birthday and the symbol of Infinite

Nam Woo-hyun personally conceived the album title '2X8'. The numbers 2 and 8 were taken from his birthday, February 8th, and the product of the two numbers, 16, is linked to the number of songs in the album. He also included the fact that laying 8 on its side becomes the infinity symbol representing Infinite in the album title. Nam Woo-hyun said he planned everything from the album title itself, stating, "I assigned meaning to everything to the point that nothing escaped my hands."

This album is his first solo full-length album in three years and his second full-length album. Filling the album with 16 songs for the release marking the 10th anniversary since his solo debut in 2016 was Nam Woo-hyun's conviction. He said, "I wanted to be a bit stubborn," explaining, "I wanted to show fans and the public how much I can do by being abundant with more songs. The various genre tracks are the result of the music I have done for 10 years." He described the album as a "total collection."

The album consists of 16 tracks, and Nam Woo-hyun participated in the lyrics and composition of all of them. According to a reference article, he introduced this album as the culmination of the past 10 years, saying it contains his musical colors ranging from the ballads released in the early stages of his solo activities to the dance and rock he has performed at concerts. Nam Woo-hyun also expressed his goal of not staying in one genre but mastering various genres. He said, "Whether it's rock, dance, ballad, or R&B. My ultimate goal is not just to do one genre, but to be able to do truly diverse genres."

The title track is 'Devil'... a story of good and evil

The title track 'Devil' is an up-tempo dance song that Nam Woo-hyun solely wrote and participated in composing and arranging. It contains a narrative that good and evil coexist, and Nam Woo-hyun explained it as the song with the most intense performance, story, and sound. He said, "Everyone has good and evil within them. Even if there is good and evil, since that is yourself, I want to convey the message that I hope people live according to their convictions without being shaken by it. Evil is also yourself and good is also yourself... I hope people don't get too stressed by it, and since that is also themselves, I hope they love themselves a bit more."

The candidate for the title track changed during the selection process. Initially, track 4 'View' was the title track, and later 'Codename 3,2,1' was also a candidate, but finally 'Devil' was chosen. Nam Woo-hyun said, "After wavering, I chose 'Devil' because I wanted to contain a narrative. Originally, only the chorus melody was in my phone, but I pulled it out. It took a little time, but I feel like I made it quickly." He initially intended to make it an R&B song centered on a guitar riff, but changed the genre to dance.

Nam Woo-hyun shared that when choosing the song, the company and those around him showed positive reactions, and the Infinite members also supported 'Devil'. He said, "Both the company and the people who heard it gave it almost all the votes. The members also gave it all the votes. I couldn't ignore this (positive reaction)." The music video, performance, and album jacket photos capture different images according to good and evil. He also personally contributed to the chorus choreography. Regarding the motion of choking the neck with hands, Nam Woo-hyun explained, "The devil's choking that you can't escape even if you try to avoid it? I wanted to express something like it is tightening me," and asked to listen to the lyrics that express a 'snake'.

The genres contained in 'View' and 'Codename 3,2,1'

'View', which was a candidate for the title track, is a song where guitar, piano, and flute sounds harmonize. It captures a moment between two people that is unfamiliar yet naturally permeates each other. Nam Woo-hyun introduced it as a "dance genre song that can have a city pop feel." He felt a sense of longing from the dreamy melody and said it reminded him of the time when he loved music as a child. Explaining the genre and atmosphere of the song, he said, "It has a mysterious charm."

'Codename 3,2,1' is a powerful song that interprets analog instruments in a modern way. He added that when he is stressed or wants to give his ears a rest, he listens to old songs and classic songs. He revealed that he wanted to perform this song as a double title track because he thought it suited his singing ability well.

In the album, Nam Woo-hyun introduced ballad as the genre he is most familiar with and considers his strongest, yet he emphasized his goal of mastering various genres. He stated, “I have the greed to master various genres such as ballad, dance, and rock. I want to receive the evaluation, ‘This guy is really good at everything.’” He also mentioned that the process of including various genres while making this album was enjoyable. He revealed that in the early stages of his solo activities, he released ballad albums, later released dance songs, and has also presented the rock genre during concerts.

Nam Woo-hyun said his goal is to become an artist capable of various styles, rather than a singer who is only good at one specific genre. This album includes songs from several genres, including ballad, dance, rock, and R&B. He also said, “I want to be good at all genres, but I want to be the best at ballads.” He explained that while composing the album, he did not stay within a single genre but instead included both the music he has done and newly attempted styles.

Songs for Infinite and Fans, the Next Stage

In 'Boys and Girls', which was pre-released this May, the members of Infinite participated as featured artists. Nam Woo-hyun compared the time he spent active with Infinite to his boyhood and said he wanted to spend his 10th solo debut anniversary with the members. The song likens the fans who came to see him to 'girls' and himself and the Infinite members to 'boys'. He said, “I have spent 16 years as Infinite. Therefore, my boyhood is Infinite itself. That is why I hoped to be with the Infinite members for my 10th solo anniversary.”

Nam Woo-hyun shared that recording directing was easy because the members learned the songs well. He said the members remarked, “It sounds like an Infinite song,” to which he replied that he wrote the song in the Infinite style. 'Boys and Girls', 'The Tenth Page', and 'Tree' are songs specifically mentioned by Nam Woo-hyun. 'The Tenth Page' contains the story of his 10th solo anniversary, and 'Tree' contains his wish for listeners to find comfort based on his own experiences. In the reference article, regarding the final track 'Tree', Nam Woo-hyun said, “When you are exhausted, I hope you can lean on this tree without a word and be comforted by this song for a long time.”

Nam Woo-hyun revealed that he was strict with himself during the process of recording and refining the songs. He said he personally took charge of the directing for this album and sang and revised the songs several times until he was satisfied. There was even a song he re-recorded because he was not satisfied with the nasal sound due to having a severe cold during recording. He expressed satisfaction with the album, saying, “I am satisfied. I am completely satisfied. I am that confident,” noting that his singing style has changed and his songwriting and singing skills have improved compared to before.

According to the reference article, ahead of the release of his 1st full-length album in 2023, Nam Woo-hyun announced his diagnosis and surgery for gastritis. He said he is currently visiting the hospital for follow-up examinations and has regained his health. He plans to meet domestic and international fans starting November 6 with his solo debut 10th anniversary commemoration Asia tour 'EVER GREEN'. The 2nd full-length album '2X8' will be released on the 14th at 6 PM.

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