Handmade Coffee

From Clumsy Media

Handmade Coffee is the fourth studio and third major label release by Korean project group Coffee Musicians, released on March 18, 2015 by Clumsy Media. The album has been in preparation eight months after the group's third studio album release, The Coffee Beans Exclusive (2012). Recording sessions took place at various locations in South Korea, Japan and the United States and began in April 2014. The album was produced jointly by the group's members, along with ex-member and leader Choi Koo Gun.

The album incorporates orchestral and traditional Korean music influences, indie underground genre samples, and jazz melodies in its sound. Its lyrics, which were solely written by Ophelia, exhibit themes of modern lifestyle, fame, materialism, burdens of success with reference and metaphor within a cafe setting. It also explores other topics such as Mr. Kid's reflection on creative freedom and Gentleladies's recently struggles with musical endeavours entrapped within the group's consecutive context of coffee and cafe. Music writers interpreted the subject matter to concern the group's recent struggle and a collective collage of each members' individual issues.

Consecutively in-line with the group's usual pattern, the album did not produce any individual single releases nor did the group promote the album. Despite the inactivity, the album made its début at number one on all major Korean music charts, selling 120,000 copies its first week. It received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its production and the members' respective performances, although some criticized its subject matter due to its the suggested in-cohesiveness. It was also one of the top-ranked albums in year-end lists by critics and publications and earned the group several year end award nominations.

Background

Leader and main vocal of the group, MiiKii began solely working on the album immediately after the release of The Coffee Beans Exclusive (2012) as other members worked on their individual musical endeavours. The track "모닝 커피" (Morning Coffee) was the first to be written jointly by MiiKii and member rapper Mr. Kid. Member sub-vocalist and lyricist Ophelia did not join album productions until early 2014 and was soon followed by Gentleladies.

Tracklisting

1. "커피로 만든" (Made with Coffee) — 01:22
2. "모닝 커피" (Morning Coffee) — 03:07
3. "밤 커피" (Night Coffee) — 04:12
4. "콩과 먼지" (Beans and Dust) — 02:39
5. "알코올 카페" (Alcohol Cafe) — 03:51

6. "Tyranny" — 00:45
7. "Panacea" — 03:20
8. "Cyntoia" (feat. Zico of Block B) — 04:00
9. "Lissome" (feat. Ophelia) — 02:45
10. "BRB" (Outro Track) — 01:26