Meet LØREN: Five Facts About The Singer-Songwriter Currently Crushing The Rock Scene

The 27-year-old artist is on his way to stardom with his earth-shattering music, lyricism, and one-of-a-kind personality

LØREN, also known as Lee SeungJoo, is a Korean rock artist known for his gritty vocals and grunge-esque tunes. LØREN, meaning ‘LONER’ in a rearranged spelling, is originally under the YG sub-label “THEBLACKLABEL”. SeungJoo embarked on the journey of a solo career with his debut track 'Empty Trash' in November 2020. The song merges rock elements and trap-like beats into an ear-worm type of track that has yet to leave our heads. With the release of his newest EP “Put Up a Fight” on March 24, LØREN has piqued the interest of both older and newer fans alike, giving them a reason to yearn for more. That being said, here are five facts you should know about the rock star.

1. He has produced for the K-Pop girl group BLACKPINK

Before his solo debut, LØREN produced for major artists under the K-Pop label YG, most importantly, for the girl group BLACKPINK. "When I was a producer [like] I didn’t know what to expect," said LØREN in an interview with Billboard News. "You just write beats and tracks hoping that they’re gonna go somewhere." He discussed his intentions for BLACKPINK’s tracks, 'Pretty Savage', 'You Never Know' and 'Lovesick Girls.'"With BLACKPINK they needed [like] a certain set of lyrics that are like, both in tune with how the song was written originally and how it’s gonna sound like in Korean [right]." He takes pride in his work, proving himself to be a captivating songwriter and producer compiled in one individual. "I don’t wanna flatter myself but I think, you know, what I did kind of [you know] did that role."

He also credits BLACKPINK for the valuable lesson of the creative process behind making music, stating that he was "Hella nervous," amidst a panic attack while showcasing his music-making talent to the producers behind the making of BLACKPINK’s 2020 album "THE ALBUM." "...They’d told me 'This is your moment, this is the one time you’ve worked so hard for so make sure it’s worth it'," he recalled in an interview with i-D Vice. "Don't hesitate. Don't think about what people are going to think of you. It's your first time, you're going to make mistakes and feel awkward. Give it everything you’ve got."

2. All beats, compositions, and lyrics are his own

In the discussion of the creative process of making music, the artist explains the behind-the-scenes making of it all, and cites himself as the main contributor to his songs. "I usually start out mumbling with a guitar and flesh out themes and ideas as I go," he said in an interview with "Numéro Magazine". "Being a drummer myself, I also put a lot of effort into drum parts and fills."

LØREN also cites himself as the main inspiration for his music, stating that his music is a reflection of his mental state and that they’re "Essentially canned memories or time capsules" of himself at the time.

3. He originates from a "Conservative background"

LØREN considers himself to be a rock-type of rebel, considering his background. Being from a conservative background, his head was often in the clouds, while his parents were back down on the ground. When he first began picking up music, he noted that he had a lot of trouble persuading his parents into letting him pick up a guitar. "I didn’t have a proper teacher," said the singer to Vice. "I had a guy that I met at the Guitar Center and he was actually really good so I asked if he'd teach me. It wasn't like music theory or anything, it was 'This is how you play this song'."

4. He’s an empath

LØREN’s music is, to put it short, emotionally expressive in itself. With lyrics from his song 'Panic' off his newest EP "Put Up a Fight," he expresses himself with words that only someone with a troubled heart can relate to: "My panic won’t you help me around/So I can be pathetic and indifferent to time/I’ll be alright."

He also said in an interview that his music comes from a place of darkness. “I think music, in general, taught me that it’s okay to not be okay. A huge part of what I write is from a place I didn’t want to be, but the outcome makes being there all worthwhile.” He also states that “An unexpected depression storm to me, is an awful week but a good source of material.”

5. His music and art are his babies

The singer-songwriter-producer has found that his evergrowing love for music and the creative expression behind it is what keeps him afloat. "Doing music is the way I can ever imagine my life to be," he said in an interview with "Nylon Manila". "I’ve been very happy recently and it’s an amazing feeling."

LØREN has also expressed that his music is what defines him as a person, stating that "I'm a musician at the end of the day," and "I just want to put out as much music as I can in my lifetime, literally until I die" in a discussion with Billboard.

The singer is here to stay and has the thrive and won’t stop anytime soon, not here and not ever.

LØREN can be found on his Instagram @lorenisalone and his newest EP “Put Up a Fight” is available on Spotify and other platforms for streaming.