Boy group Close Your Eyes embraces jazz funk in bid to broaden musical horizons

Seoul, September 30 - K-pop boy band Close Your Eyes has released its fourth EP, 256th Note, which explores jazz funk in an effort to break free from genre constraints and present a more authentic representation of the group. The album's lead single, "Drop That!", samples veteran singer Yoon Si-nae's 1979 hit "Enjoy This Night" and blends it with the sampling style of 1990s street hip-hop.

The band members, mostly born in the 2000s, had to familiarize themselves with jazz and hip-hop, genres that predates their generation, and faced pressure while working on the track. Formed through JTBC's audition program "Project 7" in 2024, the septet debuted in April 2025 with the album "EternalT" and has since released "Snowy Summer" in July and "Blackout" in November.

The new EP signifies another shift in their musical style as they aim to broaden their artistic range. "We're grateful that many people have praised our music," member Yeo-jun said at the press conference, "but we don't want to be limited to a particular genre. We want to keep challenging ourselves and growing as a team." The album comprises seven tracks, a mix of genres, and the group hopes it will introduce their name to a wider audience.