Korea Spotlight at The Great Escape: HYPNOSIS THERAPY channel raw emotion into an intoxicating blend of techno and hip-hop

Korean electronic artists HYPNOSIS THERAPY - comprising producer Jflow and rapper JJANGYOU - stand at the vanguard of a new wave of boundary-pushing Asian alternative music, and they're currently deep in the throes of creation. "Today we have a songwriting camp in London," rapper JJANGYOU mentions with palpable anticipation. "I'm excited to see what kind of music we'll create this time."

This spirit of constant evolution and fearless experimentation has defined HYPNOSIS THERAPY since their inception, when the pair first crossed paths in the collective Wabi-Sabi Room back in 2015. Their reunion in 2022 marked the beginning of something altogether more ambitious - a project that would challenge the boundaries between electronic music and hip-hop while carving out new territory.

The partnership works with a fluidity that belies the complexity of their sound. "Our producer leads the direction really well, so our workflow is pretty smooth," JJANGYOU explains. Jflow adds, "We don't have a fixed formula for how we work. Sometimes, we make beats together, and we love trying new approaches!"

Their self-titled debut album, released in 2022, represented a significant departure from their individual comfort zones. "We originally made different genres - hip-hop and R&B - but this was our first time creating electronic music together," JJANGYOU reflects. The result, as Jflow describes it, was "a well-balanced album blending electronic and hip-hop. It's not overly niche or too mainstream, making it a good introduction to who we are."

Since then, their evolution has been nothing short of remarkable. "The deeper we got into electronic music, the more new vibes and methods we absorbed. That's really expanded and deepened our sound," JJANGYOU notes. This progression hasn't gone unnoticed in the industry, with their innovative approach catching the attention of critics and audiences alike. Jflow elaborates on their artistic trajectory: "Our sound has gotten more diverse and mixed-up. At first, it was fully electronic-based, but now it's shifting more towards techno."

The duo's creative process is equally intriguing, eschewing conventional songwriting formulas in favour of a more intuitive approach. When it comes to lyrical themes, JJANGYOU reveals, "I usually write about things I've experienced, and the mood of the beat naturally brings those thoughts out." Meanwhile, Jflow works on the textural elements: "Rather than specific themes, I tend to focus more on sonic satisfaction and textures."

This complementary dynamic aids their understanding of when a track is complete and ready to make its way into the world. For JJANGYOU, it's an instinctive recognition: "When there's nothing that feels off to my ears - there's a feeling that comes from deep inside that just says, 'It's done'." Jflow's approach is more structural: "When the sound feels full. That's when I stop building and start subtracting to finish the track."

The impact of their collaboration extends beyond the music itself. "I used to be all about making it on my own, but since forming this team, it's shifted to, 'Let's succeed together.' It's taught me the importance of harmony with others," JJANGYOU reflects. Jflow echoes this sentiment: "Collaborating with more people made me realize how much we grow together. My process used to be much more closed-off, but now it's expanded through teamwork and broader thinking."

Their Korean identity infuses their work with a unique emotional resonance. "There's a unique Korean emotional depth - something like 'Han' - that blends with Western music and gives it a special edge," JJANGYOU observes. Jflow concurs simply but powerfully: "It's embedded in every aspect of our music."

The duo's relationship with the UK has already begun to flourish. "During last year's Europe tour, we visited several cities - Bristol, Leeds, Wales, Manchester, London - and got to meet amazing, passionate UK crowds," JJANGYOU recounts. Their return to British shores carries fresh excitement. "I'm thrilled about the chance to connect with UK listeners directly through our music," he adds. Jflow's ambitions run deeper: "The UK has all the cultural elements we love. I want to explore lots of electronic music spaces, collaborate with UK artists, and - most importantly - meet our UK fans!"

Their vision of success speaks volumes about their artistic ambitions. While JJANGYOU dreams big - "Simply put, standing on a stage in front of 100,000 people- " Jflow's aspirations reflect a desire for artistic legitimacy: "Rather than being known as 'A Korean artist doing music', I'd like to be seen as part of the global electronic scene, no matter what country we're in."

The future promises to be particularly exciting for HYPNOSIS THERAPY fans. "We're working on a straight-up techno album, and also a collab project with a Berlin-based producer," JJANGYOU reveals. Jflow adds: "On 29th May, we're releasing a collaborative single with 1tbsp, an electronic artist from Australia. We're also working on an album with Berlin-based techno artist Alex Wilcox, plus a hypnotic techno album - all of which will be released this year. Please stay tuned!"

HYPNOSIS THERAPY play The Great Escape on Thursday 15th May (Jubilee Square, 3pm) and Friday 16th May (DUST, 1.15am).