10 Seconds: Chaerin Im
- Chaerin Im
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
"Thank you so much, George, for the opportunity to share my musical insights. As a musician who creates music, I consider myself even more a passionate music fan and digger. This has truly been a joyful experience, going through my collection and rediscovering what touches me about music and the key aspects that move me. These 10 seconds have taught me so much about myself!"
1. Salami Rose Joe Louis (feat Soccer 96) - Akousmatikous (2'35" - 2'45")
from Salami Rose Joe Louis- Akousmatikous (2023)
"I will never forget the moment I first heard this transition.- It completely took me by surprise in the best way. It’s gentle but powerful, flowing from a delicate and warm atmosphere into a super busy, energetic section. The grooves in both sections are so unique and full of character: contrasting yet effortlessly engaging."
2. Mew - Carry Me To Safety (2’11” - 2’21”)
from Mew - Visuals (2017)
"The first two chord progressions in the chorus always give me goosebumps. The way the big orchestration and backing vocals enter after the arpeggiated guitar and the sensitive verses/pre choruses creates such a powerful emotional impact."
3. Bjork - Alarm Call (3’24”-3’34”)
from Bjork - Homogenic (1997)
"This groove is incredible! In these 10 seconds, there’s a DJ-like transition where the drums briefly drop out with a bit of a low-cut effect, only to come back bigger and fuller. It always gets me moving when I need a boost to get my day going!"
4. Pearl & The Oysters - A Planet Upside Down (0’00”- 0’10”)
from Pearl & The Oysters – Planet Pearl (2024)
"What a way to start a song! - the synth sounds and chord progressions are pure perfection. I wish I could start every day the way this song begins."
5. Petter Eldh & Koma Saxo - Fanfarum for Komarum III (Live) (6’39” - 6’49”)
from Koma Saxo – Live (2021)
"These 10 seconds are a burst of energy. The song itself is quite simple, built around a single bass line and melody, but in this moment, it shifts to a faster tempo with full intensity. The screaming saxophones and wild rhythm section add even more excitement, making it a truly satisfying, stress relieving moment."
6. Luke Temple - 200,000,000 Years Of Fucking (4’23” - 4’33”)
from Luke Temple – Both-And (2019)
"The beginning of the last chorus in this song always makes me take a deep sigh—in the best way possible. Especially in this final chorus, the rich sonic landscape, with layers of synthesizers, piano, voice, and (maybe) clarinet, creates a beautifully balanced sound. It feels almost heavenly. On top of that, the lyrics that open each chorus always hit hard."
7. Zach Phillips - True Music (1’30” - 1’40”)
from Zach Phillips - True Music (2025)
"In these 10 seconds, the way the two piano lines move together is pure beauty and warmth, blending perfectly with each other—true music! The mixing is panned in such an extreme way, adding so much character to the vibe of the song. On top of that, the way the voice and piano are recorded feels so unique—almost DIY, lo-fi-ish."
8. Merope - Koumu Lil (0’47” - 0’57”)
from Merope – Vėjula (2024)
"These 10 seconds feel like a moment when a goddess visits a playground full of joy and excitement. It’s such a beautiful soundscape, created with synth arpeggiators and voices."
9. Schntzl - Sumi (4’47” - 4’57”)
from Schntzl – Catwalk (2020)
"I remember starting to cry when this moment started in the song. The singing is so beautiful, with a humble melody sitting on top of a simple yet delicate but grounded groove and harmonies. Especially after a longer section with a darker mood, focused only on the acoustic piano, these 10 seconds mark the moment when a new harmony and voice emerge. It’s such a beautiful and touching shift."
10. Ernst Reijseger, Harmen Fraanje, Mola Sylla - 51 (4’15” - 4’25”)
from Reijseger Fraanje Sylla – We Were There (2020)
"Pianist Harmen Fraanje is definitely one of my biggest inspirations of all time, and this trio with Ernst Reijseger and Mola Sylla creates a beautiful emotional landscape, like a vast natural scenery through their sound. In these 10 seconds of the song, when the cello and piano begin to double the same line and the voice floats freely on top, it’s simply stunning. This moment taught me that while improvisation is wonderful, I shouldn’t overlook or forget the beauty of a simple melody coming together—because that’s when true freedom can emerge."
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