Celebrate newfound freedoms with NoSo’s dazzling debut album Stay Proud of Me

Showcasing a kaleidoscope of musical abilities and a true passion for narrating personal chronicles, the album serves as a message for freedom, and NoSo navigates newfound physical and emotional liberty throughout the album, expanding into new regions of dreamy pop-inspired euphoria. Magnetising melodies confront insecurities and frustrations from the Asian-American experience, brought to life and wonderfully highlighted by Hwong’s stage name itself. NoSo is actually a shortened version of North/South, referring to their Korean heritage that often poses the question, “Which area of Korea are you from?” Hwong proves hastily that their musical ambitions and truly tantalising narratives make them a true trailblazer of alternative pop as we know it.

Opening single “Parasites” begins the album, offering a truly euphonious emotive captivity. Written while Hwong was recovering from top surgery back in 2020, they decided to speak to their younger self, collating an encapsulating narrative and likening musical backdrop which forms a truly remarkable entrance to the album. They explain “After I healed, I revisited the song and grappled with what I wanted to say. The instrumental felt dreamy and romantic, but I didn’t want to keep writing romantic songs about other people; I just had a significant procedure that brought repressed memories to the surface, and I needed to express it somehow.” NoSo’s echoing vocal energy, pairs with symphonic rhythms and meticulous melodies that collide into an igniting entrance to their debut album.

Following with “Suburbia” and “David”, NoSo provided prolific proof that they have solidified their unique soundscape and musical persona into something unapologetically unique. Overcoming imposter syndrome and repressed memory, the powerful promotion of acceptance and singular perspectives are bound to ignite a lasting resonance amongst listeners. “I’m Embarrassed I Still Think of You” shimmers with gentle, sombre instrumentation, as the painfully honest, yet entirely relatable release brings to mind the memories of a childhood lullaby – totally different to the more menacing approach of “Honey Understand”. The contrast between these two tracks certainly demonstrates NoSo's versatility, however it raises the question of if they should be next to each other on the track list, as the relaxing atmosphere that was created by the former is abruptly taken away by the latter.

NoSo's honesty and truly authentic insight into personal escapades makes Stay Proud of Me a spectacular debut album.