Xdinary Heroes Open Up About Oliver Sykes Track and Rare Acoustic Song on 'IMPULSE'

Xdinary Heroes are pushing into new territory with IMPULSE, their ninth mini album. It came out October 12 with seven tracks that cover a wide spread of genres.

The JYP Entertainment band debuted in 2021. This time it leads with the title track "Obsessed with Youth," which comes with a music video. Soompi reports that all five members sat down for an exclusive interview to mark the comeback: keyboardist Jungsu, guitarists Gaon and Jun Han, synth player O.de and bassist Jooyeon.

Jungsu set the tone for the record:

"Xdinary Heroes shows a new side with every album. I have high expectations that this album will also be one where we can show another new side to many people."

One surprise is "Give Up The Ghost," which credits Bring Me the Horizon vocalist Oliver Sykes. Jooyeon, a known fan, said he first heard the song without knowing who was behind it and "really loved the color of his topline." He added that it showed him "my taste is very consistent."

"Breathe in, Breathe out" is another change. The band rarely uses an acoustic base. Gaon said he had long wanted to find an acoustic sound that still felt like Xdinary Heroes, and he pictured "someone delivering a monologue under a single spotlight in the silence." He said the song left him thinking the band could use acoustic sounds more often.

Jun Han explained why the instruments hit so hard: the band records with intensity so that "live shows are even more fun." He said the melodies are kept easy to sing so the songs stay comfortable to listen to.

O.de picked "Rise High Rise" and "Money On My Mind" as the songs that push the energy highest when they play, and said that answer holds for festivals too. He described Jun Han as calm, consistent and "a great guitarist." In return, Jun Han thanked O.de for looking after every member down to the smallest details.

On long-term goals, Jungsu said he hopes people around the world feel refreshed or happy listening to the band's music, even for a moment. Jooyeon wants the band to grow and "put on greater performances on bigger stages."

He closed with a message for fans: "Let's have an amazing time together on an amazing stage."