Recognize the lyrics “At the swamp of life?” Many would remember the rap singer Iron’s stage in the television program Show Me the Money 3, the song titled “Venom.” Besides the singer’s intense vocals that commanded the whole stage, something on the stage created a sensation – the piercing back vocals of a unique singer. Although the performance was over, her powerful presence still remains as the related keywords on major search engines, ‘Venom Vocals.’ Here, the mysterious vocal is unraveled by the name Kang Huh Darlim.
 
   
▲ One of Gang Huh Darlim's profile pictures. Provided by Sisanilive.com
 
A number of Korean singers have also developed a distinctive style of blues music. Among them, Kang Huh Darlim is a rising diva of Korean blues. Debuted in 2005, she has released three albums thus far. The fact that she is a blues singer, which is quite a unique genre in Korean music culture, has captured the attention of listeners. Although her main music genre is blues, Kang Huh Darlim explores other music such as folk and pop. Recently on March 17, she released her third studio album Beyond The Blues. Composed of ten most beloved Korean folk songs, she translates them with her own style of vocals.
 

As the album title Beyond The Blues implies, the album not only covers the blues genre, but also a variety of music Kang Huh Darlim herself endeavored to convey. The title song “Lonely People” is a remake of the 1980s song by the Lee Jung Sun. The rich sound of guitars echo as the song begins to play, filling the silence. Amid the thick accompaniment, Kang Huh Darlim begins to sing. “Perhaps we are all the lonely people…” There comes the sudden pang in the heart. Her piercing, plaintive voice mingles with the appealing lyrics—at that moment when the song continues, she drags out the very melancholy everyone desperately sought to hide.

She sings the plain normality. On the surface, the common stories of common people are expressed, but underneath lie the powerful emotions. The song strips away the severe loneliness everyone experience, leaving the barest emotions exposed. It is that painfully candid depiction, ironically, that consoles people. The soothing, serene vocal enters the psyche as a sweet comfort. The fact that there are other desolated ones out there cures people—loneliness cured by loneliness.
 
The lyrics are poetic, as every line draws a portrait of life. The songs gently touch listeners, lamenting the innate solitude and melancholy of everyone. Her “bluesy” voice attaches
wings to this core spirit of blues music. It is the powerful element that lets the deepest emotions burst forth. Sincere talks about life come and go throughout the album. The familiar lyrics of foregone hit songs provoke nostalgia, a hint of spice that keeps listeners riveted to the album.
 
A gift for everyone, Beyond the Blues gives people things beyond songs. Receive this gift and find peace amidst despair. It is the most beautiful vehicle into the emotions, alluring everyone with seductive vocals. Into the swamp of emotions listeners fall, and at the end of the seemingly eternal fall they realize pure comfort. “Rain, rain, pour all night long,” laments Kang Huh Darlim in one of her title songs “Drizzle.” Her voice becomes the rain on the lonely hearts, dousing every emotion. Let her music mend each sorrow and flood the mind with consolation.
 
It is notable that the album includes some ear-catching collaborations with renowned artists. One of the top bassist Seo Young Do, who is also a current professor at Hanyang University (HU), was in charge of the general production of the album. Blues guitarist Charlie Jung and pianist Min Kyung In joined in completing accompaniments, enhancing the overall quality of the album. Among the songs, there is a familiar name, Ulala Session. Park Kwang Sun, one of the members of the performance group Ulala Session, participated in one of the songs “An Alley.” The groovy atmosphere of the song and the flawless collaboration of Kang Huh Darlim and Park create an impressive harmony.
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