Journey (Henry EP) explained

Journey (stylized in all caps) is the third extended play (EP) by Canadian singer and songwriter Henry. It was released on November 18, 2020, through Monster Entertainment Group, and distributed by Kakao M. The EP marks his first album release in 6 years and the first under his own independent label. "Radio" serves as the lead single for the album.

Background and release

After his contract with SM Entertainment expired in 2018, Henry established his own independent label, Monster, with his brother.^[1] He was reportedly in the process of recording a new album in 2019.^[2] He later scrapped a completed album several months prior to the release of Journey as he felt his sound had evolved and the album no longer headed in the musical direction he wanted.^[3]

First teaser images of the album was revealed through his Instagram on October 29, 2020. He first revealed the title of the album on Weverse on November 3.^[4] The full album track-list comprising five tracks was revealed on November 13, with "Radio" as the title track. The album along with the music video for "Radio" was released on November 18, marking Henry's first album release in 6 years.^{[5] [6]} The music video for the B-side track "Just Be Me" was released two weeks later on December 3.^[7]

Reception

Seoulbeats described Journey as a "musically fulfilling" album that "shows his true colors while giving nods to his complicated musical past" and praised the interesting production elements which makes the album stand out from other recent solo releases.^[8] They highlighted the B-side "Just Be Me" as the stand-out track calling it an "effective and memorable power ballad" that rounds out the album. Allkpop was "pleasantly enthralled" by the album and stated that "Hand's Up" is a must-listen, describing it as "funky and groovy" and "immaculate in flow", and noted that the rap by pH-1 perfectly matched the energy of the song.^[9]

Track listing

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes and Melon.^[10]

Charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"

Peak position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[11]	1

Monthly chart performance for Journey! Chart (2020)! Peak
position

South Korean Albums (Gaon)[12]	23

Sales

Sales for Journey! Region! Sales

South Korea (Gaon)	64,970

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format	Label
South Korea	November 18, 2020
Various <		-- Inclusive of South Korea -->		Monster Entertainment

Notes and References

1. Web site: Che. Kandice. May 20, 2019. Henry Lau. August 23, 2021. The Laterals.
2. Web site: Herman. Tamar. April 18, 2019. Henry Lau Talks Global Aspirations, Upcoming Projects And How Haters Have Helped Him Thrive. May 22, 2019. Forbes.
3. Web site: Young. Ha-na. November 18, 2020. [종합] "새 앨범 'JOURNEY', 헨리는 '이런 사람이다' 알아갈 수 있을 것"]. August 23, 2021. Digital Chosun Ilbo. ko.
4. Web site: Jeong. Hee-yeon. November 4, 2020. 헨리 6년만에 새 앨범…오늘 사전 예약 오픈. Henry's new album in 6 years... Pre-order open today. August 23, 2021. Sports Donga. ko.
5. Web site: Park. Se-yeon. November 18, 2020. [커튼콜]헨리, 돌아온 '음악천재'…'RADIO' 여정은 끝나지 않는다]. [Curtain Call] Henry, the 'music genius' is back... The 'RADIO' journey never ends. August 23, 2021. Star Today. ko.
6. Web site: Lee. Gyu-lee. November 18, 2020. Henry Lau to release new album 'JOURNEY' Wednesday. August 23, 2021. The Korea Times.
7. Web site: Cheon. Yun-hye. December 2, 2020. 헨리, 오늘(2일) 'JOURNEY' 수록곡 'JUST BE ME' MV 공개..위로의 메시지. Henry, today (2nd) released 'JUST BE ME' MV for 'JOURNEY'... A message of comfort. August 23, 2021. Herald Pop.
8. Web site: Henry is Reborn and Authentically Organic in "Journey" . Seoulbeats . 22 August 2021 . November 25, 2020.
9. Web site: Ye . Lorr . [ALBUM & MV REVIEW] Henry - 'JOURNEY' ]. . 22 August 2021 . November 25, 2020.
10. Web site: 헨리 (HENRY) – JOURNEY . . ko . August 22, 2021.
11. Web site: 2020년 48주차 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. March 2, 2021.
12. Web site: 2020 Gaon Album Chart – November. Gaon Music Chart. ko. 21 August 2021.