Following their reimagining of Beach House’s “Astronaut”, Phoebe Rings return with the second in their two-part cover series - “Between the Hidden Hours”, originally written and performed by Yoon Sang (윤상) on his 1992 sophomore album Part 1.
At the time, Yoon Sang described the song as “a story about the vague feelings of affection from childhood - before I even knew what love was.” The song captures that wistful purity and loneliness that run throughout much of his work. A revered figure in Korean pop music, Yoon Sang has written for artists such as Kang Suji and IU, and his timeless melodies and delicate chord progressions that left a strong imprint on her songwriting for vocalist and keyboardist Crystal Choi, who grew up listening to his music.
Phoebe Rings’ version gently expands the original’s sentimental ballad form into their own dream-pop palette - blending harpsichord-like synths, flutey Juno, and Juno piano textures with airy backing vocals, pedal steel, fuzz guitar, a playful bassline and tambourine. The touch of 60s colour aligns the track with the shimmering world of their debut album Aseurai, while keeping the tenderness and melancholy of Yoon Sang’s 1992 classic intact.
Recorded between Mount Eden, London and central Auckland, Between the Hidden Hours bridges generations and geographies, reimagining a beloved Korean song through Phoebe Rings’ uniquely delicate lens.
