We had the opportunity to catch up with LA-based Korean singer, songwriter, and producer Juju B. Goode to talk about the release of his highly anticipated debut studio album, "Smile! You're On Camera," -- which released on November 24th! The collection, featuring 10 original tracks all composed and produced by Juju B. Goode, provides a distinctive indie perspective on K-Pop. Drawing inspiration from a spectrum of genres, including Disco, K-Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop, and Reggae, each of the 10 songs exhibits a colorful sonic experience and challenges expectation.
For #SoundLovers that are joining us for the first time, Juju B. Goode is a Seoul-born singer, songwriter, and producer currently based in LA. Emerging as a promising new artist, Juju B. Goode started his musical journey as a bedroom artist, captivating listeners with his debut EP, Future Boy (2020). This lo-fi K-R&B nostalgic exploration has resonated with audiences worldwide, earning millions of streams and gaining recognition through various Spotify editorials.
Juju B. Goode continued to release a second EP, Garden (2021), and collaborate with notable artists, incorporating his eclectic range of influences into a captivating tapestry of melodies, rhythms, and introspective lyrics. After he was featured on various noteworthy artists’ tracks and singing the official soundtrack for Netflix Original series “XO, Kitty”, Juju B. Goode is now venturing beyond his established sound.
Conceived in his NYC bedroom with a handful of demos, Juju relocated to Los Angeles in 2021 to collaborate with producer/bassist Pablo Garcia-Quesada at Electric Dog Music in Hawthorne, CA, and producer Sherman Xu (aka Sake by the Water) from San Diego to bring this project to the finish line. Over 1.5 years, the song evolved from a lo-fi loop to a unique record with dynamic arrangement with intricate musical structures and beat changes.
The highly anticipated debut studio album, Smile! You’re On Camera (2023), artfully infuses his work with diverse musical genres, drawing inspiration from rock, disco, electronic, and hip-hop, all while allowing his Korean roots to shine through as Juju's poignant lyrics navigate the complexities of metropolitan life. Side A narrates an ordinary everyman's mid-20s/30s crisis ("Mr. Lee"), addressing burnout (1%), screen fatigue ("Ending Fairy"), and concludes optimistically with the pursuit of dreams ("Blueprint"). Side B explores breakup stories (“Cameo”), capturing stages of grief ("Witness") and acceptance ("Lost in Translation", “New Friend”) within diverse urban life scenarios. With his boundless creativity and dedication to his craft, Juju B. Goode is poised to leave an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring and cultivating his fandom around the globe.
Following the iconic debut of his studio album this year, Juju B. Goode has future plans to host events and perform live shows in the Los Angeles and New York City areas next year.