“What you want?” is the declaration CORTIS throws out into the world. Determined to break free from convention and paint the world in new colors, the five young members have begun their sprint beyond the lines. Their debut album “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES” captures the energy and curiosity of youth across five tracks—introduced here in their own words along with songs that have richly shaped their musical world.
CORTIS – “Go”
MARTIN: “Go” is a track that shows lots of our candid side. Lines like “Pull up to the studio with our pants low, here we go,” are such a straightforward representation of what we do on a day-to-day basis. And then a line like “Callin’ a new wave, like Poseidon” encapsulates our bold ambition.
JAMES: “Go” is perhaps the song that shows the most authentic version of us—not just through the music, but also the video and the performance that go with it. I don’t think we need anything else to explain who CORTIS is, because this track alone can show what makes us special.
JUHOON: I think “Go” is the track I listened to the most on this album. Every time I hear it, there’s this subtle tension all the way through that just pulls me in. The fresh vibe that only “Go” has is super captivating.
SEONGHYEON: Personally, I feel like this is the song that shows CORTIS the best. From the energy in the track to the lyrics and even the music video, everything just naturally reflects who we are and the vibe we deliver. That’s why I’d definitely recommend everyone to give it a listen.
KEONHO: As the first song to introduce CORTIS, it really shows who we are and our vibe as a team. The music and performance are both so catchy that they stick with you for a long time. It’s also a track we honestly have a lot of fun performing on stage, so we hope you enjoy it with us too.
CORTIS – “What You Want”
MARTIN: This track stands out to me because it keeps asking and answering the same question, “What do you want?” It captures CORTIS’s bold energy and ambition. We put together a unique sound using a punchy '60s-style guitar riff and boom bap drums, and I wanted it to highlight CORTIS’s unique flare. On top of that, we added a treadmill performance to send the message that CORTIS will always move forward, without stopping.
JAMES: ”What You Want” is one of those songs that just gets stuck in your head—I catch myself humming it all the time. It’s bright while still being edgy, and at the same time, there’s a touch of nostalgia to it. The song’s unique energy is even more apparent when you see it live.
JUHOON: The choreo has some moves you can only pull off with a treadmill, which makes the performance really fun to watch. When we first started working on the choreography, we spent so much time on the treadmill that some of us even had to take motion sickness meds. (laughs) At first, I was kind of worried about whether we could actually make it work, but after a ton of practice, we were able to put together a performance we’re proud of.
SEONGHYEON: What makes this song special is how the lyrics capture our everyday life. Like the line, “I don't wanna turn back around, I'd rather hop a wall now,” that actually came from us always cutting across by hopping over a wall whenever we went to the convenience store near our dorm. And the phrase, “A late-night, dawn delivery kind of,” was inspired by all the packages that were always stacked up in front of our door. Listening to the second verse will be even more fun if you know the little stories behind it, from our time living together.
KEONHO: “What You Want” was inspired by '70s psychedelic rock. I listen to a lot of rock in general, and since I’m such a huge fan of it, this track ended up being my favorite on the album. It fully captures the kind of energy only CORTIS can bring to the table.
CORTIS – “FaSHioN”
MARTIN: The lyrics tell a story of how we shop in places like Dongmyo or Hongdae—some of our favorite spots—but aspire to shop in Cheongdam once we make it big. I remember the lyrics came to us easily because it captures our lifestyle. CORTIS is just starting out, so this track contains a lot of our ambitions.
JAMES: Since this is CORTIS’s debut album, we really wanted to show our fire through “FaSHioN.” I feel like it’s a track that carries our drive to break the mold and keep pushing forward.
JUHOON: The performance is super exciting and allows you to feel the intense energy the track has to offer. The lyrics express our lifestyle and day-to-day lives in a fun and honest way, so I think it’d be awesome if you listen while keeping the message we’re trying to share in mind.
SEONGHYEON: My favorite line in this song has to be “Dongmyo, Wassup / Hongdae, Wassup.” Apparently those spots are loved by some of the biggest fashion designers in the game, which is why we put that line in. Overall, the lyrics are super fun—and honestly pretty bold. (laughs) I hope you’d be able to lean into the message CORTIS is trying to get across as you listen.
KEONHO: “FaSHioN” is all about fashion, which is probably the one thing we all love the most. I love the verse lyrics because they tell our story in such an honest, straightforward way. It’s also one of those tracks that’s perfect for having fun on stage, so I hope you check it out along with the performance.
CORTIS – “Joyride”
JUHOON: It’s an emotional track, but the rebellious lyrics and the raw feel of the live performance add an unexpected twist that draws you in. When we met Pharrell Williams, we played it for him and he said it sounded promising. That made it feel extra special—like we actually got Pharrell’s stamp of approval. (laughs)
SEONGHYEON: Just like the title “Joyride,” it’s the perfect song to play when you feel like going for a drive, getting away for a bit, or when you’re in the mood to just escape. I still remember us going on and on about the keyword “Joyride” while working on this track.
CORTIS – “Lullaby”
MARTIN: When I first started working on this track, I actually had a jazz beat in mind, but by the time it was done, it turned into more of an alternative track. Working on the arrangement was a lot of fun. I finished the lyrics in like two takes, which I think made it one of the songs that really captured what I was feeling at the time. Since the keyword was “Lullaby,” I tried to put all those late-night emotions into it as honestly as I could. I hope you enjoy it!
JAMES: I remember waking up in the middle of the night to realize that “Lullaby” had been finished. (laughs) After that, I got to help out with the lyrics. Normally, when we shoot a music video, we map it out with a storyboard first, but for “Lullaby,” we just went for it in one take without any storyboard—almost like a challenge—and that experience has really stuck with me. I love how the final product feels like a snapshot of who we were and how we lived back then.
KEONHO: “Lullaby” shows who we are in a truly authentic way. Which makes it a perfect song to play when you’re winding down with a shower at the end of the day! We also love the music video, since we came up with all the ideas from start to finish, and it captures the members just being natural throughout.
CORTIS – “What You Want (feat. Teezo Touchdown)”
CORTIS: We also recommend “What You Want (feat. Teezo Touchdown).” Teezo’s bold verse really takes it up a notch—his lyrics about blasting the speakers so loud you can hear it outside, or even wanting to jump out of a plane, give the song a raw edge. Definitely check out the English version of “What You Want” as well.
LSD and the Search for God – “Starting Over”
MARTIN: Since we just kicked off our promotion, I’ve been listening to a lot of hype songs to keep my energy up on stage. But at the same time, I try to balance it out with calmer stuff. I recently found this band and got into a bunch of their songs. Their chill tracks really help me stay grounded, and this one in particular resonated with me quite a bit, which is why I want to recommend it.
The Beatles – “Don’t Let Me Down (First Rooftop Performance)”
JAMES: I listen to The Beatles a lot, and I’m especially into the First Rooftop Performance of “Don’t Let Me Down.” There’s this part where John Lennon messes up the lyrics but just laughs it off while still playing guitar. (laughs) I think that moment’s so fun, and it also made me realize that a performance doesn’t have to be perfect—what really matters is the energy you deliver to the audience.
The Beatles – “Strawberry Fields Forever”
JUHOON: I first came across this song while I was relaxing in the car. The chord progression and drums really stood out to me. Normally, when I’m on a break, I let whatever music I’m listening to fade into the background, but this track jumped out at me.
Chet Baker – “I Fall In Love Too Easily”
SEONGHYEON: When we were in New Zealand for the FaSHion music video shoot, I had this song on all the time—like when I was just chilling at the hotel or even in the shower. Every time I play it, it puts me at ease and lifts my mood. It’s honestly one of my favorite songs.
Radiohead – “Planet Telex”
KEONHO: I first heard this song on the flight to New Zealand for the music video shoot. I liked it so much that I just kept it on repeat, even on the flight back to Korea. Now, whenever I think about the moment I first set foot in New Zealand, this track comes to mind. And honestly, it’s not just “Planet Telex”—I’m into the whole “The Bends” album.
MARTIN’s recommendation: Ramones - “Blitzkrieg Bop”
JAMES’s recommendation: Chet Baker – “September Song”
JUHOON’s recommendation: Mk.gee – “Are You Looking Up”
SEONGHYEON’s recommendation: Stan Getz – “The Girl From Ipanema”
KEONHO’s recommendation: Justin Bieber – “THINGS YOU DO”