All Living Things by the Korean multi-instrumentalist Park Jiha (tak:til/Glitterbeat) takes the listener on an introspective journey, seamlessly balancing traditional instruments—including the piri, saenghwang, and yanggeum—with the immersive textures of electronic sounds.

In her self-produced fifth album, a nine-track project, Park Jiha captures the cyclical essence of life and nature, flowing like a river that carries the listener along its current, immersing them in its ever-evolving journey.

The album’s instrumentation, especially the piri—a cylindrical double-reed bamboo oboe—brings a sense of exploration to the performance. Its inherent instability and tonal imprecision mean the musician isn’t just playing notes but hunting for them, seeking them out rather than striking them with certainty. This gives the sound a natural, instinctive flow, where notes emerge and evolve rather than being rigidly fixed.

The opener, “First Buds”, gently sets the stage, weaving the delicate tones of the yanggeum, bells, and saenghwang into a meditative soundscape. This pattern continues through the following tracks, where traditional Korean instruments invite the listener into a space of reflection and self-discovery.

However, the album truly comes into its own starting from “Blown Leaves”, where the introduction of synths, electronic textures, and background vocals enriches the compositions. Such experimental elements elevate the music to a more intricate and mature phase, mirroring the evolving cycle of life. The contrast between the almost ancestral resonance of the piri and the restless energy of electronic sounds is where Park Jiha’s artistry shines most brilliantly.

All Living Things is an exciting step in Park Jiha’s career, as she infuses traditional Korean music with a refreshing breeze of contemporary influences. With such a foundation, it will be nothing but fascinating to see how she further explores and evolves this experimental approach in her future works.

Park Jiha released her fifth album, All Living Things, via tak:til on 14/02.
You can listen to it and get you copy HERE