For our latest Crate Digging, Kpop star Yves joined as at Gold-Diggers in Los Angeles as she closed her eyes and shared the soundtracks to her memories.
When we asked Yves what topic she’d like to go Crate Digging for, she came back with a pretty heady answer: “Scenes that I see when I close my eyes — the soundtrack of my memories: albums that feel like audio logs of memories tied to specific moments or emotions.”
It was clear the former LOONA and LOONA yyxy member wasn’t chasing fleeting nostalgia with her choices, random happenings related to some music she enjoyed. No, she intended to dig into her psyche to surface albums tied to pivotal feelings, relationships, and career-defining moments.
“Even if the album is a masterpiece, I don’t really reach for it if the album is tied to those memories that feel heavy and sad,” she tells Consequence, “but if it lifts my mood and brings back cherished memories, like the albums I picked, I end up playing it often.”
See the albums that Yves revisits when reconnecting to her memories below, and watch her take us through each one above (or via YouTube). Then, create some new memories of your own while listening to her recently released Soft Error: X deluxe EP on Apple Music or Amazon Music.
Keshi — bandaids EP
During my Loona days, I discovered Keshi through the song “less of you.” Around that time, Kim Lip and I got really into Keshi and listened to his songs nonstop. Whenever I put on Keshi’s EP bandaids, it brings back those moments when we were so excited and constantly hunting for songs, so I chose this album.
Stream bandaids on Apple Music or Amazon Music.
Destin Conrad — wHIMSY
I came across this artist’s jazz album recently, loved it so much I kept it on repeat. I clean at home a lot, and one day while I was cleaning with this album playing I found the journal where I wrote about my dreams before my debut. So I got a bit nostalgic, comparing my feelings from back then to now.
When I listen to this album, it brings me back to that time and leaves me with a warm, gentle feeling. When I found that diary, I was reminded of how uncertain I was before my debut and the pages were full of me asking, “Will I ever debut?” and feeling lost. Looking back and comparing then to now, I realized I want to push my music even harder, and treat every moment as something precious.
Stream wHIMSY on Apple Music or Amazon Music.
Braxton Cook — Not Everyone Can Go
I always gotta have music on when I shower; I had the album running front to back in the shower, and then my battery died— my phone just cut out. It got oddly silent, and I really wanted that song back to lift the mood. So whenever I listen to this album, it brings me back to that moment and it just cracks me up.
Stream Not Everyone Can Go on Apple Music or Amazon Music.
Justin Bieber — SWAG
Working every day, the repetition sometimes drains my energy, so I look to other artists for motivation when that happens. On a day when I really needed motivation, I went online, and it happened to be the moment this album dropped. I couldn’t get any work done — I just listened to the album straight through. At one point, I was listening to a track called “Zuma House,” and even though it’s only about a minute-and-20 seconds long, it’s just Justin Bieber filling the space with his voice over guitar, no other instruments, and I thought, “Wow, a voice can be an instrument too.” That moment is why I chose this album.
Stream Swag on Apple Music or Amazon Music.
Tate McRae — So Close to What
Back in my Loona days, our choreography teacher once said, “You’d suit a Tate McRae–style of dancing really well, so watch and study her a lot.” From then on, I started searching and watching a lot of Tate McRae. She pulls off a lot of very flexible movements, and I’m not naturally that flexible, so I stretch every day before dance practice. I even tried doing the splits like Tate McRae, but it didn’t work and it hurt a lot.
So I remember myself in the practice room, constantly trying to get into the splits — this album brings that back. I’m the type to replay the songs I like over and over, and these tracks have stayed on my recent playlists, so when this topic came up, they popped into my head right away.
Buy So Close to What on Vinyl/CD
Stream So Close to What on Apple Music or Amazon Music.
Victoria Monét — Jaguar II
The next album I picked [has] Victoria Monét’s “On My Mama.” There’s a grocery store near my place, and the walk there is pretty boring, so I put this song on. After a while, I caught myself walking with real confidence to the beat. Every time I listen to it, I think of that moment and it makes me laugh. When I feel a bit lonely or want to feel confident on the street, I go back to this album— it’s really meaningful to me.
I often use it to boost my mood when I’m out walking, but honestly, I’m also a big fan of Victoria Monét’s live performances. At the studio, IOAH and I watch a lot of her stages, and every time I’m struck by how cool she is as an artist, so lately I’ve been checking out more of her albums.
Stream Jaguar II on Apple Music or Amazon Music.
Amy Winehouse — Lioness: Hidden Treasures
It’s widely known as a classic, but it also carries a personal story for me. I was preparing for college entrance exams, but ended up skipping college and going to auditions instead. Those exam-prep days left me exhausted and sometimes depressed, and I used to cry after lessons in the vocal practice room almost every day. Amy Winehouse was the artist who gave me strength and courage back then, so I sought out her film and listened through every track on this album. Among them, there’s a song called “Best Friends, Right?” and its lyrics and melody felt really comforting to me, so when I play this album, it brings me back to that time.
The song has a regular version and an acoustic version, and the one I loved was the acoustic version. It’s just gentle vocals over guitar, and even from the title it felt like someone saying, “I’m your friend,” which made me feel supported. Amy’s voice was a huge comfort to me, and those melody lines soothed me from the very intro.
Buy Lioness: Hidden Treasures on Vinyl/CD
Stream Lioness: Hidden Treasures on Apple Music or Amazon Music.
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