With sticky-sweet songs that’ll keep you glued to your phone, LOVELI LORI shines brightly as one of the newest dance-pop artists to watch.
With the charm of your favorite video game character and tunes reminiscent of girl-crush K-pop, LOVELI LORI is quickly infiltrating screens with her addictive music. From her 2022 viral hit, “love for you,” amassing over four million videos on TikTok, the singer has finally released her full-length debut album “Not So Lovely” on Sept. 18. Within the project, LOVELI LORI explores different parts of the bubbly persona she’s maintained throughout the start of her career within 16 short and sweet tracks. The album promises a bright start for the young musician as she explores her role as a singer, songwriter and producer, on top of her charismatic social media personality.
Prior to the album’s release, LOVELI LORI spoke with The Knockturnal about her new project and her social media stardom.
Your debut album, “Not So Lovely,” is on the verge of being released! What is the quintessential way to experience the album once it’s out?
Listen to the songs in order, there will be a noticeable shift in genre and story!
What central themes or ideas did you return to throughout the process of making the record?
I think I kept coming back to the idea of identity and the different sides of myself. A lot of the record explores growing into who I am, figuring out what I want, and the contrast between how I’m perceived and how I actually feel. I wanted the album to feel like a more honest and complete picture of me, rather than just one version of who I am.
Your aesthetics and sound feel straight out of a nostalgic cyber-world. What elements of that nature are on your moodboard when envisioning your sound and visual style?
I was honestly visualizing a lot of Y2K chill and cute vibes with this album, but since some of the songs were more aggressive, I envisioned a more dark sided visuals as well. This might be my only album where I will do that considering it shows multiple different versions of myself lyrically.
I know you’re a fan of K-pop, and I can see many fun influences from that culture in your work. What about K-pop draws you in, and how do you use it to create your own unique sound?
I definitely think it’s the structure and the marketing of their songs that influence me a lot. Their songs usually have a certain structure that makes it more short or simple but then other times it can get crazy. I love doing that in my songs and adding certain elements that make it stand out more.
On TikTok, you’ve mentioned that you’ve been producing some of your own songs. What has that experience been like, and how has producing changed your approach to music-making?
It definitely gives me a lot more freedom to do what I like, it’s hard to give people an idea of what you want without a proper example of your own! There’s one song on the album I produced myself and cannot wait for people to hear!
Your song “love for you” has completely taken off in the past few years. What has been the biggest pinch-me moment so far of seeing that track blow up?
Just the amount of support and love it still has even after two years. It’s insane, I can mention it once and people still go crazy about it.
You’ve gained a steady group of supporters across your social media. What message would you share with your fans at this stage in your career, as you’re about to drop your first album?
I can’t thank them enough for the undeniable support they’ve given me in the last year. I also want them to know this is just the beginning, soon I will venture out and give them all the love and support back.
What is one dream you hope to achieve as an artist?
Making music I won’t regret and that people will appreciate that music.
