Seoul-based artist CIFIKA returns with their third studio album, Bonfire. Known for their genre-defying soundscapes, the album offers an intimate exploration of connection and acceptance, showcasing CIFIKA’s evolution beyond electronic music into a richer, warmer sonic tapestry.
Following the critical success of their 2023 album ION, which earned them a nomination for Best Electronic Album at the 2024 Korean Popular Music Awards and a win for Best Electronic Song with “Hush,” CIFIKA channels their experiences of the past year into this 11-track opus. Bonfire blends elements of electronic, alternative folk, ambient, and pop, pushing creative boundaries while maintaining an emotive core.
Key collaborators include producers Nancy Boy – renowned for their work with artists like BTS’s RM – and Umaka, a multi-talented guitarist, producer, and singer-songwriter. Together, they shaped the album’s dynamic sound, highlighted by tracks like “Little Drama,” which draws from metal and psychedelic rock influences, and the title track “Bonfire,” featuring the voices of CIFIKA’s close friends in a moving chorus.
Thematically, the album explores themes of resilience and community. “Bonfire” itself captures the comforting ritual of gathering around a campfire, offering solace in a fragmented world. Tracks such as “Babes in the Wood” and “Heart Piece Collector” delve into narratives of escape and healing, blending raw instrumentation with layered production.
Ahead of the release, CIFIKA hosted a free live session in Seoul on November 2, performing the album in its entirety to an audience of 300. The intimate band set received an emotional response, affirming the album’s ethos of unity and authenticity. Fans can relive the moment when a performance video premieres on CIFIKA’s YouTube channel on November 20.
With Bonfire, CIFIKA solidifies their place as a trailblazer in the global music scene, weaving a story of connection and creativity that resonates across genres and borders.