As a K-pop fan since 2017, I have developed quite a K-pop collection, ranging from various years and spanning numerous groups and soloists, with some being rare and iconic releases. This new series will explore my collection and showcase some of K-pop’s best and most underrated albums. To start this series, we will cover the latest addition to my collection. The Vinyl edition of singer-songwriter NoSo‘s debut album Stay Proud of Me.

Celebrating its 1st anniversary on July 8, Korean American artist NoSo released their debut album Stay Proud of Me after several years of releasing singles independently. Starting in 2021, the singer-songwriter released “Suburbia” before later singles, “Parasites,” “David” and “Honey Understand” in 2022. 

Each single would be featured on the track list alongside 6 new songs, also written and produced by NoSo themself opening up about themselves and their experiences growing up as transgender Korean-American in a predominantly white area of America.

The album has seen NoSo gain National attention, becoming a leading figure in the LGBTQIA+ Asian music scene. They featured on the first-ever Spotify GLOW session, a dedicated playlist showcasing some of the greatest songs from artists LGBTQIA+ world.

Whilst Media promotions saw them perform on the likes of KEXP and NPR’s Tiny Desk, two of America’s biggest radio stations. NoSo has built upon this success, even hosting concerts in the UK and the US last year and this year. As well as opening for Irish singer-songwriter Hozier in the US and even performing as part of the Kilby block party this year.

I recently acquired the album after discovering NoSo a couple of months ago and becoming a fan of NoSo and their music.

Parasites:

“It’s your life

Take off the drag

And the Parasites, removed from your skin

And so lovely, lovely to meet you, again

And so lovely, lovely to be born again“

Starting the album off, we have “Parasites.” Introducing listeners to the themes of the album and NoSo themselves through its sound and lyricism.

The song can be interpreted as very personal, “Parasites” the most open song of this album and one created to inspire others. It speaks openly about gender euphoria and the sense of freedom found in discovering one’s sexuality.

Opening up about the album on social media after the album’s release. NoSo talks about how the song was written after their top surgery saying;

“It felt like I had been putting on a performance my whole life. There were parasites physically and emotionally weighing me down that needed to be removed.”

Suburbia:

“Holding onto all my faults

I’ve been calling out your name apart from this

Said you wanna be good about it“

Changing the style, NoSo goes into “Suburbia.” A dreamy electronic-style song where the artist seemingly reflects on their childhood growing up in Chicago, Illinois. NoSo looks to not only discover themselves as a Korean-American living in a predominantly white area but also as someone on their road of self-discovery for their sexuality.

“Suburbia” shows the growth of NoSo to where they are now as an adult reflecting on their past. It shows how they don’t regret their past but rather see it as part of their journey. That has helped lead them to the place they are now. 

David:

“All American boy

With a gorgeous pointy nose

She watches him

Pinching her own

I wanna be serene and blank

Like David

I wanna be a dream

With girls all over me“

On to one of the album’s more famous B-sides now, “David” sees Baek open up more about growing up in Chicago, this time choosing to focus on the inequality of race in the area and growing up being Korean in a white neighbourhood. 

The song sees NoSo wishing to be white, where life would seemingly be easier to blend in with those in the community. One of the reasons for them standing out is the colour of their skin and the features they have compared to other kids growing up. The song is one that all victims of bullying can relate to. The need of wanting to fit in and not stand out.

The artist references this in the song, talking about their nose and how they would try to shape their nose to try and fit in.

Looking back now the artists said on their social media, “it wasn’t until 24 I learned to love my smile and now I giggle constantly.”

I feel you:

“Envious of straight hips 

Dangling nerves, simple limbs

Oh, I couldn’t swim fast enough

But made it out halfway done“

NoSo’s favourite song to perform live as admitted on their official Instagram.

“I feel you” sees NoSo open up about gender euphoria and growing up in the wrong body, their lines. “Oh, i couldn’t swim fast enough, But made it out halfway done” is a direct insight into their feeling belonging to the wrong gender and only being half-born until becoming the version of themselves they are today.

I’m embarrassed I still think of you:

“I felt too aggressive and scary

Wanting to sit next to you

Is it wrong or internal scars?

I’m embarrassed I still think of you.“

A soothing love ballad-style pop song, “I’m embarrassed I still think of you” sees Baek reflect upon their childhood crushes and growing up when identifying as a girl and physically attracted to the same sex. The song references the struggles of trying to suppress urges due to fear of bullying and the negative connotations and associations around the word ‘lesbian.’ The song once again shows a young NoSo’s need to try to fit in and not stand out and how this stigma still affects them in adult relationships.

Honey understand:

“I ride a bike on the side of the freeway

Drinking juice while hitting onto my face

I had a dream you looked pretty and familiar

You’ve been busy and too important for me“

Changing tempo and instruments from the dreamy guitar riff sounds from the album’s previous songs. “Honey Understand” sees the artist talk about love for the first time, giving the listeners an idea of the present day of NoSo and what they experience in everyday life. Talking from real-time as opposed to the past which many of the songs are set in.

Sorry I laughed:

“I’m sorry I laughed

When you kissed my chest

Like a vacuum

And for lying about it“

Created over five years, this is probably my favourite song and the best lyrical song of the whole album. NoSo honestly opens up about gender dysphoria in relationships and does so in a joking way, as they would express on social media.
“I think intimacy with strangers is inherently funny and odd, but this was a moment where I didn’t feel comfortable voicing my boundaries and being honest about dysphoria. I was barely honest with myself about it, but I could still feel it festering”

Feeling like a woman lately:

“They’re what I could’ve been

A soft mirror image

They won’t know me but I’m hoping“

Entering a different era of NoSo’s life after all of the gender dysphoria growing up as a girl the song opens up about NoSo post-surgery and the imposter syndrome felt by the artist as they choose to not take testosterone to not change the sound of their voice. 

Man who loves you:

“It starts with us, not him

You and I brought the heat

But then, we lay down soundly

And it’s us again, you and I against the world

And then you’re waiting for me“

Seemingly talking about being trapped in a relationship. The song is about always being able to find yourself once again in a volatile situation and relying on yourself and not making excuses for the person who you are in a relationship with. The song shows once again growth in NoSo after all of the hardship faced throughout their life and finding comfort in themselves and realising no matter what happens they can always carry on.

Everything I’ve got:

“I can’t sum you up with

“Baby I’m crazy lately”

‘Cause my heart was beating for you

Longer than I promised“

A love song now, “Everything I’ve got” is the perfect ending song, not only wrapping the end of a relationship but the journey of an album and song lyrics created over several years.

With their latest single, “Kaitlin” released last month, the future is bright for NoSo as they continue to be a shining light for the LGBTQIA+ community. Stay Proud Of Me is a message for all those going through the same experiences.

What is your favourite song from Stray Proud Of Me? Are you planning on seeing NoSo on their upcoming European tour? Let us know in the comments below or on Instagram and X.