20 by V A NN

This album is a collection of work produced by V A NN during his 20s. It acts as a diary for the rapper, who reflects on his feelings and personal growth during these formative years. As V A NN puts it, "In my lyrics, stories about dreams, love, and relationships unfold in no order." Through his introspective and confessional lyrics, the rapper channels the paradoxes and contradictions of this time in his life. He reflects on the good and the bad sides of a growing sense of selfishness and ambition. The desire to feel more connected yet claim your own identity is a common theme on "20". Album opener and lead single "Leave me dot" is an ode to solitude. It's V A NN asking the well-meaning people around him to give him the space he needs for self-growth.

The paradoxical themes of "20" persist past the lyrics and into the music. Crisp, raw lo-fi beats blend harmoniously with delicate, ethereal melodies. "This is the sound of crickets crying at night," describes V A NN, "while the wind relentlessly beats against the window."

V A NN is drawn to the imperfect nature of lo-fi hip-hop. His interest in imperfections manifests itself in his lyrics. He contemplates his growth and the mistakes we all make when we're young. His music also acts as a celebration of imperfections as V A NN turns the limitations of DIY production and turns them into a raw, stylish, powerful aesthetic. As he puts it, "I wanted my environment to be fully contained within my sound."

As well as being influenced by lo-fi hip-hop, V A NN draws inspiration from a variety of hot contemporary sounds such as emo rap, Soundcloud rap, and bedroom pop. This mix of current sounds make this album feel very "of the moment." Yet, because of V A NN's reflective poise and old-school-inspired beats, "20" is steeped in nostalgia: a snapshot of an artist revisiting his youth and inviting the listener to do the same.

Most of the songs on "20" have been written and produced by V A NN, and the album is a fully realized creative vision for the artist. He disregards the conventional composition, the hook-verse-chorus structure of most pop music. Instead, he opts for more expressive song structures that reflect the message of the song.

V A NN has already completed two music videos for the tracks "Leave me dot" and "Comes and Goes." The videos, which were made in collaboration with close friends and artistic colleagues, will be unleashed soon. V A NN will also continue his work with the creative collective DISHCRACK featuring a range of musicians, artists, and designers.

South Korean rapper and producer, 방 V A NN is drawn to the imperfect nature of lo-fi hip-hop. His interest in imperfections manifests itself in his lyrics. He contemplates his growth and the mistakes we all make when we're young. His music also acts as a celebration of imperfections as V A NN turns the limitations of DIY production and turns them into a raw, stylish, powerful aesthetic.