After a four-year break, Red Velvet’s Joy made her solo comeback on Monday with ‘From Joy, with Love,’ a six-track EP centered on stories of love.
‘From Joy, with Love’
Her first mini-album opens with the title track, ‘Love Splash!,’ a dance-pop anthem that captures the exhilarating rush of new love. Following this, Joy delivers an energetic call to embrace the present moment through dance and connection in ‘Get Up and Dance.’
‘La Vie En Blue’ introduces a bossa nova influence, infusing the track with a nostalgic longing for a past romance. Its smooth rhythms and tender lyrics evoke a sense of wistful yearning. In contrast, ‘Unwritten Page’ presents a reflective ballad, co-written by Joy, that encourages self-love and healing.
‘Scent of Green’ continues the introspective theme, portraying the bittersweetness of cherishing memories while moving forward. The EP concludes with ‘Cuddle,’ a gentle and intimate track that encapsulates the warmth and comfort of love’s embrace.
“Releasing an album filled with my own emotions once felt vague and difficult, but thanks to the people who supported me, I was able to bring it into the world,” Joy said via a release, citing Korea Herald. “I wanted to capture the greatness and preciousness of love in this album. The biggest challenge was expressing such a vast and profound theme in a way that feels approachable.”
Joy last dropped her first solo project, ‘Hello,’ in May 2021, featuring her reinterpretations of six well-known tracks. The album ranked atop the iTunes Top Albums chart in 26 regions and dominated several domestic music charts.
‘From Joy, with Love’ is more than just an album; it’s a heartfelt letter to fans, a testament to Joy’s growth as an artist and individual. With its diverse musical styles and deeply personal themes, the EP reaffirms Joy’s place in the K-pop landscape as a solo artist capable of delivering both emotional depth and musical innovation.
What to watch out for
Wendy is the second member of Red Velvet to prepare for a solo set, with an album slated for release in September, followed by her first world tour.