[Dispatch=Reporter Yuha] "I'm happy to be able to give fans a good gift on my birthday." (Taeyang)

Taeyang has been running at a breathless pace over the past year. From fan meeting tours to BIGBANG's 20th anniversary project and preparing for the Coachella stage. In the meantime, he was also immersed in new album work.

He said, "Originally it was scheduled to be released early this year. But the timing naturally got pushed back because of Coachella," and laughed, "In the end it came out on my birthday. It actually seems more meaningful."

He barely had a day to properly rest. However, his expression was consistently filled with anticipation. "Thinking that the album is coming out into the world makes me feel relieved and joyful," he said.

Taeyang held a listening session on May 18th at the afternoon at Cube Convention Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul to commemorate the release of his fourth studio album 'QUINTESSENCE'. He introduced every track himself and poured out his passion for music.

'QUINTESSENCE' is Taeyang's solo studio album in 9 years. The album title means essence and quintessence. It is a word Taeyang came up with himself and the question he held onto the most over the past year.

Taeyang said, "I wondered if I could define essence in one word," and revealed, "In the end, I felt that what's important is not determining that I've found the answer, but the attitude and direction of continuing to search."

The new album contains a total of 10 tracks. Title track 'Live Past Die Slow', 'Bad', 'Ujoo', 'Movie', 'Open Up', 'Love Like This', 'Yes', 'Now', 'Got', 'For You' and others.

The opening track 'Bad' is a song that runs through Taeyang's past and present. He said, "The title is 'Bad', but it's actually closer to 'Still Bad'," and explained, "It contains the path I've walked so far, the struggles, and the me that has still not changed."

The title track 'Live Past Die Slow' is about maintaining one's own pace and direction even in a rapidly changing era. It is the fastest and most energetic song among the albums released so far.

The music video also contained the same message. Busy people and shouting crowds appeared. Taeyang walked across the stadium and track at his own pace in between.

He also revealed the reason for selecting the title track. "'Live Past Die Slow' is the song that best explains the direction of the 'QUINTESSENCE' album and who I am now," and conveyed, "Even while preparing for the stage, I felt confident it was the right choice."

He made changes to the performance as well. He created energy with a different dance style than before. He said, "The most important thing on stage is the energy exchanged with fans," and hinted, "I created a performance where we can breathe together."

'Movie' is an R&B track with a dreamlike atmosphere. Tablo participated in writing the lyrics. It expressed the regret of a film ending as love. The cinematic lyrics and unique sound design are impressive.

'Open Up' is a direct love song. Taeyang said, "Many people close their hearts and find it difficult to speak," and explained, "If someone opens their heart, it's a song of comfort saying I will gladly listen."

There is also a song containing nostalgia from BIGBANG days. 'Love Like This' is a sweet R&B track. Taeyang's distinctive vibrato and soulful voice anchored the center.

He said, "I wanted to revisit the sensibility of the era of 'Only Tears' (2006) and 'Baby I'm Sorry' (2008)," and introduced it as "a song where you can feel memories from that time."

He also prepared fan songs. 'Ujoo' and the final track 'For You'. 'Ujoo' continuously asks fans, "Can you be with me?" 'For You' stands out with its sentimental melody and reverb sound.

Taeyang said, "After going through the fan meetings and Coachella, I felt again how miraculous the fans who stood by me for so long are," and "I put into the lyrics the desire to remember the time we spent together for a long time."

This year marks BIGBANG's 20th anniversary since debut. Taeyang said, "Because we've made so much music over 20 years, finding newness was even more difficult," and emphasized, "This album contains the worries and attempts of wanting to show something that is me while also being new."

Finally, he promised, "This year I plan to visit you in various forms. Starting with solo activities, I will work hard so that I can show good things with the BIGBANG members as well."

Taeyang will release 'QUINTESSENCE' through various music sites at 6 p.m. on the 18th.

<Photo=Photographer Song Hyo-jin>