A mystical storytelling that comes in a 9-track album: this is how Zalo packaged Chasing A Ghost in Seoul.
Zalo, a South Carolina-based artist, used his expertise in music in telling a story with his 2023 album Chasing A Ghost in Seoul. Taking on a psychedelic genre in terms of musicality, this record tells a sorrowful tale about the journey of the persona narrating the album. This album is not for the faint of heart, it might come off as creepy or weird if one is not willing to dissect the album part by part.
Chasing A Ghost in Seoul opens with the track I Wanna Be Your Ghost. This song’s approach makes its listeners be sucked into the world created by Zalo. It comes off as a chant, a prayer. One that will entice you and pique your curiosity that leaves you wanting more. It serves as a trap, with Zalo mumbling words along an enticing instrumental that feels as though you were being cast a spell upon. The only words that are intelligible to me are the same words in the song’s title, “I wanna be your ghost”. Escape Room also takes on the same approach as I Wanna Be Your Ghost. Its vibe is haunting, its thoughts are multi-dimensional, as if we were being made to listen to the persona’s stream of consciousness.
After being a witness to the persona’s thoughts, we were given Other Side of the Sky ― the track that has the lengthiest lyrics of all the tracks from the album. It talks about a soul’s ascent from the mortal realm to the afterlife. We were also given a view of that soul’s thinking process about the events that had happened in the past and the possible events that it’ll face. And on an intriguing turn of events, the track Fallen Angels revealed a shocking revelation ― this ghost isn’t even a ghost in its entirety, but a wandering soul of an individual in its lowest state
Moreover, February 13th…Ambience By The Bay is another track that mostly focuses on the vibes it gives rather than the words that were used in the song. Its instrumental speaks more than the words that were said. It also has that weird transition from a psychedelic sound into a more calming, nature-oriented mix of sounds and ambiance. Ballad From Namsan, the album’s 6th track, sounds like a fever dream. Its mixture of natural elements, random words that multiple layers of voices had echoed made you feel like you’ve ascended in the atmosphere while looking down on everyone.
Then comes Hills, the track that talks about one’s reflection of themselves. About being lost and picking yourself up once again. How although silent, there are eyes everywhere tracking everything that you do, say, and perform. Hills are those who were observing us steadily, judging us inwardly, always. Siren Song comes next and its sound literally embodied the seashore and the calling of the waves. It felt like the “siren” was hypnotizing the persona in the sense that they could not think straight for themselves and then eventually just gave in to the forces that pulls the persona towards it.
And to close the story comes the track Song Bird of Seoul…Roll Credits. It embodied a calm yet suspenseful instrumental mixed with enticing backing vocal tracks that feel just right as a song that will wrap up the album. The guitar and piano parts are also very commendable for it elevates the emotions of the song’s entirety. It gives off a feeling of absconding or leaving, and of departing for another realm. Just like how a ghost goes, it doesn’t give us a proper ending, an unsatisfying goodbye.
This album, although peculiar to most listeners who were used to the mainstream sound of pop and rock, deserves to be heard by many. Not everyone has the storytelling prowess, most especially if incorporated into songs. This is Zalo’s specialty. He immersed his listeners in the instrumental of his songs while telling a story through the highs and lows of notes in his tracks.
Zalo is a peculiarity in the industry, and his peculiarity breeds art. To witness more of him, don’t forget to follow him on his music streaming sites account and social media pages, too.
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About the Author
Angel Mariah Rodiel – Mari to the people she’s fond of – is a BA Literature student currently studying in Central Luzon State University. Writing, arts, and music are some of the things she’s been most passionate about ever since she was a kid. Mari’s little dream is to build a band that will open for Paramore’s concert someday. Pop-punk and alternative rock are her comfort music genres, K-pop and J-rock comes close as third and fourth.
