In the description of the music video/visualiser and the instagram post announcing the Laune’s most recent single Scent’s release there is the phrase 여전히 남아 있는 너의 향 translated as, your scent that still lingers on, which is a good summary of the song. But to add some more context, the song talks about longing for your partner to return, the feeling of missing someone and having their scent still on your pillow, reminding them of you.

We see the the lyrics “I need you right now,I just can’t believe it that you were gone, Can’t define what it is just wondering day and night (I can’t get to the  sleep without a tear) I wanted you to just call me right now” represented in the visualizer/lyric video for the song and the album cover’s use of mise en scene. The telephone, crime scene tape and labelling, as well as polaroid images, and most predominantly the perfume bottle, are spread across the bed can be seen in both the video and album cover.I think that the Scent album cover is a good example of how you can visually summarise a songs lyrics and meaning through a simple visual representation. 

In order to get a deeper understanding of how artists choose or influence their album artwork I wanted to ask a musician some questions, therefore I chose to interview an artists I listen to, and whos album artwork matches my niche within my topic, of album covers that are visual manifestations of the music they represent/portray. I contacted Laune on Instagram, and introduced myself, and what my project was about and he then agreed to answer a few questions. I wish I had asked him some more in depth questions about his work, however I am happy to have had a conversation with him on this topic.

Me: when choosing what image to use as your album cover what do you think about ? For example, your album cover for scent matches the imagery from its visualiser. What's the meaning behind the objects and how do they relate to the music/lyrics?

Laune: I actually don’t think really deeply bcs got a clear concept when im on making music and writing lyrics trust the first feeling when i see the cover or pic first. but before i take some pictures or covers, give a certain direction and also talk a lot with the photographer or cover artist. first of all, cover have to match with vibe and lyrics of song second, trying to figure it out about object in the lyrics

Me: So it is important to you that the album cover portrays the meaning of the song and it’s overall vibe/feeling.at what stage during the production of an album do you decide on the cover, is it towards the end once the vibe of the song/album is clear and visualised?

Laune: I can't decide in the middle of production but got many ideas during the production especially when i finished lyrics then clear visualisation the end of the album tbh bcs i have to see results, conversation is really important with the designers.

 

After interviewing Laune, I was able to ask Melt Kim, videographer and designer who worked with Laune on his visuals for the single Scent, a few questions. After introducing myself i asked the first question:

Me: I have been looking into laune’s scent visualiser and album cover, and was wondering what the creative process for that project was like?

Melt Kim: First of all, Laune and I were close friends in private. That's how I started working on it and entrusted a lot of things to me. We had to budget first. It's a harsh part, but I think the more restrictions there are, the more creativity is required. I just wrote a commentary on this work on my blog. I don't know if the translation is right, but I'll share it.

1. I tried to visualise the confusion I felt when I found traces of the person who left (in this case, the scent). The moment when you experience, regret, miss, and suffer from countless moments beyond time and space. (Inside yourself.)

2. The first genre that came to mind when I heard the song was 'noir'. I worked on detective investigation and black and white as the main concept.

3. When it comes to directing, Christopher Nolan's "Memento" was referenced a lot. (Slowly fading and coming back, Polaroid, nonlinear timeline, etc.)

4. This project was a project that worked at the same time as the above <Illusion>, and it was a kind of practice of 'universe making'. So, the stories of the two videos were made to be linked.

5. One-person production must be done directly from A to Z. 

Again, I worked on all the art myself. It was hard, but it was worth it when I saw the finished version.

In the creation, "space" projects emotion, and "story" projects relationships.

On the surface of the story, a murder has occurred, evidence is gathered, and the culprit is sought.

Under a layer, they go through separations, reminisce about memories, and miss those who left.

All events and phenomena in the world are made up of layers.

The creator must reveal it to the world.

He also added: *There may be some expressions that are not smooth because I use a translator. Please understand.

Speaking to both Laune and Melt Kim allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how album artwork is created and how the dynamic works between the recording artist and the designer when working on projects, such as Laune’s single Scent.  It also allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of what the intention was behind the mise en scene and how the imagery portrays the lyrics.