ODD EYE CIRCLE Reveals Full Version Up Album Tracklist, Features Surprise Collaborations

The new odd eye circle album "Version Up" has shattered expectations, selling an impressive 52,091 copies in its first week - nearly ten times their previous record of 5,745 copies. After a six-year hiatus following their 2017 release "Mix & Match," the trio's comeback has proven worth the wait, claiming the #1 position on iTunes charts across 27 countries worldwide.

Released on July 12, 2023, Version Up marks ODD EYE CIRCLE's first release under MODHAUS, featuring six distinctive tracks including the Jersey Club-inspired title song "Air Force One." The album showcases the individual charms of members Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry through three unique physical versions, while maintaining their signature sound that fans have missed since their departure from BlockBerryCreative in January 2023.

ODD EYE CIRCLE unveils full Version Up tracklist

On July 6, 2023, at midnight KST, ODD EYE CIRCLE officially unveiled the complete tracklist for their highly anticipated mini-album "Version Up". The reveal confirmed six diverse tracks that would showcase the trio's musical evolution after their lengthy hiatus.

Track-by-track breakdown of Version Up

The album opens with "기다렸어? (Did You Wait?)", a 1:10 instrumental piece that cleverly samples three of the group's previous hits: "Uncover," "LOONATIC," and "Sweet Crazy Love". This introductory track was reportedly completed almost at the very end of album preparations.

"Air Force One" serves as the title track, bringing a fresh Jersey Club sound to highlight ODD EYE CIRCLE's new musical direction. The track features contributions from longtime LOONA producer G-High and writing from member Kim Lip herself.

"Je Ne Sais Quoi" follows, a French-titled track meaning "indescribably good" that encapsulates an inexplicable attraction. This R&B-influenced song provides a welcomed tonal shift after the energetic title track.

"Lucid" was among the first songs recorded for the album and evolved into an ethereal fan tribute. The dreamy ballad creates a world where "dreams are reality".

"Love Me Like" introduces a nu-disco element with influences from 80s Japanese city pop. According to the members, it's "like candy, but with an 'ODD' flavor without the typical sweetness".

The album concludes with "My Secret Playlist," a playful track that cleverly incorporates references to popular songs including "Paris in the Rain" by Lauv and "High and Dry" by Radiohead within its lyrics.

How the songs reflect the group's evolution

The tracklist demonstrates a remarkable evolution for ODD EYE CIRCLE, balancing their signature sound with contemporary influences. Producer G-High, who has worked with LOONA since Heejin's pre-debut solo album, returns to maintain sonic continuity.

Furthermore, the album title "Version Up" perfectly reflects its content – an updated version of the group's distinctive style. The opening instrumental's sampling of their previous hits symbolically bridges their past with their present identity. Member Kim Lip described "Air Force One" as the track that "best expresses the theme of this album", embodying their positive progress and growth.

The diverse genres throughout the album – from Jersey Club to R&B to nu-disco – showcase the trio's versatility and artistic maturation. This eclectic approach earned the album a 3.56/5 rating on RYM and ranked it #51 for 2023 releases, cementing ODD EYE CIRCLE's successful musical evolution.

Members reflect on journey from LOONA to ARTMS

Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry's journey to releasing the "Version Up" album emerged from a tumultuous period of legal challenges. The trio, along with their LOONA bandmates, experienced a significant career shift when they parted ways with their previous management company.

Legal battles and contract termination with BlockBerryCreative

The legal struggle began in November 2022 when members filed injunctions to suspend their exclusive contracts with BlockBerry Creative. Initially, on January 13, 2023, four members—Heejin, Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry—won their lawsuits and successfully terminated their contracts. The court ruled in their favor due to concerns about unfair profit-splitting clauses. Meanwhile, the remaining members continued their legal battle until June 2023, when the Seoul High Court finally ruled in favor of all remaining LOONA members.

Signing with MODHAUS and forming ARTMS

Subsequently, on March 17, 2023, ODD EYE CIRCLE members alongside Heejin signed exclusive contracts with MODHAUS, the agency founded by LOONA's early-stage creative producer Jaden Jeong. Choerry described the reunion with Jeong as "natural," stating, "He has a lot of love and support for us," which made joining MODHAUS "an easy decision". Under MODHAUS, the former LOONA members' activities became part of the "ARTMS project," named after the Greek goddess of the moon, Artemis.

Emotional significance of the comeback

For the members, "Version Up" represents more than just music—it symbolizes rebirth. "This album has had a significant meaning from the moment of release. It is a new start for all of us which also means so much to the fans," the group explained. JinSoul reflected that working with Jeong again helped her "realize how far she personally has come as an artist".

Kim Lip emphasized their continued connection to LOONA, asserting, "LOONA did not disband, and we are open to the idea of coming together as one with our members". Despite their challenges, the trio maintained their distinctive spirit, with JinSoul noting that filming the music video "brought back a lot of memories".

Surprise collaborations redefine ODD EYE CIRCLE’s sound

Veteran music producer G-High stands out as a crucial collaborator on the Version Up album, bringing his distinctive touch to ODD EYE CIRCLE's comeback sound. His long-standing relationship with the LOONA project provided an essential bridge between the group's past identity and their current iteration under MODHAUS.

Notable producers and featured artists

G-High's influence is particularly evident on the title track "Air Force One," where he helped craft the Jersey Club sound that defines the album's fresh direction. Moreover, producer Jaden Jeong, who initially conceptualized the LOONA project, returned as the creative director for Version Up after founding MODHAUS.

The album features several behind-the-scenes collaborators who helped shape its diverse soundscape. Notably, member Kim Lip herself contributed to the songwriting process for "Air Force One," marking an evolution in the group's creative involvement. This collaborative approach extends throughout the album, with different production teams handling each track to create a cohesive yet varied listening experience.

How collaborations shaped the album's tone

These strategic collaborations resulted in an album that respects ODD EYE CIRCLE's musical foundations yet pushes boundaries across multiple genres. For instance, the nu-disco influences on "Love Me Like" showcase how external creative input helped expand the trio's sonic palette beyond their previous releases.

Throughout the album's development, the production teams carefully balanced nostalgia with innovation. This is clearly demonstrated in the opening track "기다렸어? (Did You Wait?)" which literally samples the group's past hits while introducing listeners to their evolved sound.

The diversity in production teams allowed each track to develop its distinct character - from the ethereal qualities of "Lucid" to the R&B-influenced "Je Ne Sais Quoi." As a result, Version Up presents a multifaceted yet cohesive listening experience that honors the group's journey.

Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry actively participated in the creative process alongside these collaborators, ensuring that despite the varied production influences, the album maintained their authentic voice and artistic vision throughout.

What Version Up means for fans and the future

For long-time supporters, the return of ODD EYE CIRCLE represents far more than just another K-pop comeback. As of July 13, "Version Up" reached #1 on iTunes Top Albums chart in 21 different countries, with "Air Force One" claiming the top position on iTunes Top Songs chart in 17 countries.

Fan reactions and showcase highlights

Fans worldwide celebrated the trio's return, with many describing it as a "phoenix rising from the ashes". One enthusiast proclaimed on social media: "The rebirth of ODD EYE CIRCLE is giving fans something to look forward to again". This sentiment was echoed throughout the fandom, with many expressing that the group's resurgence had "revived" them after years of uncertainty.

The showcase at Yes24 Live Hall on July 12 became an emotional milestone for both members and fans alike. During the event, Kim Lip expressed gratitude: "We have made a comeback after such a long time and thanks to all the fans who have waited for us, we are very satisfied with the results".

Hints at future ARTMS projects

Although details remain limited, the members have confirmed potential future activities under different configurations. JinSoul stated clearly: "There's definitely a possibility for us to keep releasing music as Odd Eye Circle". However, she added that with Haseul and Heejin also being part of the ARTMS project, "other new units and combinations remain to be seen".

On October 10, 2023, the group announced 'Song Gravity' through the Cosmo application, inviting fans to vote on which single would receive an English version. Additionally, the members revealed plans for a European tour, with the first date set for August 5 in London.

How this comeback repositions the group in K-pop

"Version Up" effectively establishes ODD EYE CIRCLE's unique position in the current K-pop landscape. The album demonstrates their artistic growth while maintaining their distinctive identity. As Kim Lip explained: "We tried to maintain the concept of our music to an extent like a continuation of the past".

Consequently, this comeback has positioned the trio as artists with both musical credibility and an engaged international fanbase. Their success across global charts proves their sustained relevance despite industry challenges, effectively writing a new chapter in their story.

FAQS

Fans worldwide have been asking numerous questions about the Version Up album and ODD EYE CIRCLE's future plans. Here are answers to commonly asked questions based on official sources.

What about future ODD EYE CIRCLE activities? JinSoul has confirmed: "There's definitely a possibility for us to keep releasing music as Odd Eye Circle." Nonetheless, she playfully added that "only our CEO knows" specific details about future plans. Regarding touring, the members expressed desire to meet international fans but mentioned no confirmed schedule.

How did the members' previous touring experience influence future plans? The members have acknowledged challenges during their previous tour as LOONA: "When we toured as LOONA last year, we ran into a lot of difficulties and made some mistakes along the way as well. Now that we've gone through all that, we want to fix all those things on this tour."

What do the ODD EYE CIRCLE members value in their career? Kim Lip emphasized the importance of their relationship: "It was very helpful for us to be able to depend on and become family to each other. Being able to have this relationship with others doing similar types of work is very important to having a healthy career." Choerry added: "This communication between us has been very helpful for us."