Through the lens of a transformative summer in 2024, pianist Chaerin Im crafts an intimate musical odyssey with her forthcoming album, Midnight Resets. Unfolding like a handwritten letter from her heart, weaving stories of romance, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Im's vulnerability and artistry are laid bare in her most personal collection yet.

Chaerin Im, the South Korean-born pianist rooted in Amsterdam, is a rapidly rising star in the jazz scene. Known for her collaborations with acclaimed artists like Pablo Held, Ben van Gelder, and Sun-Mi Hong, she made waves with her 2022 experimental album The Back of Beyond. Honored as NRC’s Young Artist of the Year in 2024, Chaerin now leads the Chaerin Im Quartet, weaving together influences from indie pop, free improvisation, and electronic music. Her quartet has earned praise for their performances at BIMhuis and the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Raw authenticity pulses through Midnight Resets, with each song capturing moments as they unfold in real time – from the sorrow of parting ways, to the exhilaration of new love, and the weight of life-changing decisions. Though these are Chaerin’s stories, they speak to anyone who has loved, lost, or felt their life transform, creating a vivid story that moves from the bittersweet ache of hard truths to the playful unpredictability of taking chances. Through moments of tenderness and intensity, she highlights the complex beauty of love and connection, crafting a love letter to those who have walked, or are walking, similar paths.

Musically, the album marks a bold departure from Chaerin’s established reputation as an acoustic improviser and modern jazz performer. Instead, this album ventures into the realms of electronic and ambient indie music, inspired by Korean indie bands and the aesthetic of singer-songwriter-driven instrumental pieces. For the first time, Chaerin embraces synths as the backbone of her sound, crafting singable, catchy melodies with moody vibes and moments of fun and lightness. She pushed the boundaries of her comfort zone, experimenting with post-production techniques and leaving behind the improvisational approach she’s best known for.

Midnight Resets takes its name from a pivotal question that shaped the album: “Would I make the same life decisions if everything reset every midnight?” For Chaerin, the answer became a personal mantra: “I would love to live my life more with that mentality—maybe I should!” This ethos is woven into the album’s core, inviting listeners to reflect on their own lives with a spirit of renewal, courage, and possibility. As the final notes fade, Midnight Resets leaves a profound challenge: What would you do if tomorrow truly began anew?