Producer-Rapper J-Hoon's Noodles II Explores Life In Hong Kong

Hong Kong-based beatsmith and rapper J-Hoon returns with his sophomore album, Noodles II, showcasing his experiences of social instability, chaos, and fear in his hometown of Hong Kong. The eclectic, hip-hop-driven album shares J-Hoon’s personal observations on life and culture, as he travels between Hong Kong and various cities. The album showcases his diverse and eclectic approach to music, showcasing his unique perspective on life and culture.

“Lyrically, it’s a collection of stories, commentaries, and musings about my experiences living in Hong Kong,” said J-Hoon. “You could say that it’s my love letter to the bustling city, a poetic unravelling of its beautiful and ugly side amidst the crumbling terror of political conflict. It’s also diarist in tone and very much contemplative; I didn’t know that I would be this brave to open up about my encounters in life, where stories and emotions sometimes get the best of me. Writing, for the most part, is cleansing and healing, and I really had a great time doing this exercise in my convenient time.”

Noodles II showcases J-Hoon’s diverse musical style, incorporating hip-hop, boom bap, jazz, trap, neo-soul, IDM, and electronic music. With a looser feel and unhinged songs, it’s a compelling record with a playful direction, exploring music across genres and eras.

Noodles II Art Producer-Rapper J-Hoon's Noodles II Explores Life in Hong Kong

“This time around, I moved on to Ableton and MPD from AKAI,” shares the multi-cultural hip-hop head. “The approach is very much different from my debut as I’m more inclined to embrace less complex structures, and more of that classic hip-hop format. Also, I am playing real keys in some songs in this album, so that’s new. The overall vibe is reminiscent of the kind of analog and lo-fi hip-hop that I grew up with. But instead of making something more polished, I’ve tried to retain that raw, carefree attitude in this album.”

Noodles II follows J-Hoon’s debut album, Noodles I, and features collaborations with Asian producers, rappers, and MCs from various regions. The collaborative nature of Noodles II resembles a bowl of Noodles, with various ingredients, cultures, and sauces combining to create a new yet familiar flavor. The album follows the format of Noodles I, with J-Hoon describing it as a bowl of Noodles, combining the broth and noodles with various ingredients and cultures.

J-Hoon released a soulful jam titled “Lei Ho Leng” last month, highlighting the pursuit of perfection at the expense of tarnishing one’s heart’s light. The Hong Kong rapper-producer delivers a bop of subtlety and class over soulful keys and vintage grooves. Other highlights include “Paradise,” “Reality,” and “Modern Li Bai,” which reflect on our realities across different places and continents.

“Noodles II” track list