Fantin Latour
From Clumsy Media
"Fantin Latour" is the first Korean mini album and offline release of solo artist Ophelia. The album was announced on October 31, 2012 a day after the cancellation release of the scheduled mini album Map My Mind. It's been described as have been heavily inspired by Korean's underground indie music with mixtures of blues and a strong concentration on the use of piano and guitar.
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Background Information
Type: Mini Album TYPE A
Sale Date: November 18, 2012
Price: US $10.00
Distribution: Clumsy Media, Pastel Music
Album Information
The album was thought about during April 2012 shortly after the completion of her scheduled first Korean mini album Map My Mind. Since Ophelia did not gain full creative control during the previous album recording she decided to go on to produce another project where she will be allowed to compose and produce every single track but she had no concrete ideas set. During this time Korean indie music label Pastel Music approached her for an exclusive contract deal in two studio album collaborations between their artists. An arrangement was made and Ophelia signed the deal within two weeks and began working with a wide range of underground indie artists.
During this time Ophelia became greatly interested in the indie music genre and hinted on her mini home page that future projects will be greatly influenced by this style. In May one entry stated: "Right now I am writing a range of music and enters the studio during daylight and leaves when the sun cycles again. It's tiring but I have a clear direction of where I am heading. This feeling is great." Eventually, 'Fantin Latour' was created but Ophelia leaked no words to the general public of such an album and kept it tighly under cover.
Ophelia personally named this album after one of her favourite artists: French painter Henri Fantin-Latour. She expressed through an public blog entry on her mini home page online that all tracks on the album were inspired by viewing Fantin-Latour's artworks, in particular, the first track Rose was born after seeing Vase de Pivoines (Vase of Peonies).
Originally the album was set for release in February 14, 2013 but due to the cancellation release of 'Map My Mind', this was pushed forward instead. On October 31, 2012 the album was announced with the cover artwork and track list and scheduled for release November 18.
Recording
With the help of Pastel Music, Ophelia was able to convince veteran indie artist Casker to work on the album together. The first recording session was reported to have been taken during July in Japan whilst Ophelia was working on her Japanese debut studio album The Field of Serendipity with famed composer Joe Hisaishi. It was until early September that she went back to Korea and began full speed recording for this album. According to a fan account, Ophelia had been working on idol group EXO's come back album at the same time and often travelled between the music studios at SM Entertainment and her own company's music studio.
The lyrics can be viewed [here].
Critical Reception
Particpating Artists
- Ophelia
- Mr. Cake
Involved Composers
Tracklisting
1. 장미 (Rose) - Ophelia || Ophelia
2. 종결 (Song) - Ophelia || Ophelia
3. 생활 (Life) - Ophelia || Ophelia
4. 향수 (Scent) - Mr. Cake || Ophelia
Special Deluxe Edition
6. Heartstrings (Bonus Track) - Ophelia|| Tablo
7. Say It Easily ft Trillion Mark (Bonus Track) - Ophelia || Trillion Mark
