Listen: Just Like You

Release date: August 4, 2023 (out now!)

Just Like You is a collection of personal songs I poured my heart into while working my ass off in the film music industry all over Los Angeles between 2011-2017. Amidst writing music for a feature film for Netflix, a pilot for NBC, and over a dozen ad campaigns, I produced and performed the musical parts for the 9 songs on this album in solitude at my cramped home studio in Venice, CA between February-April 2018.

I began releasing these songs as singles back in 2019, but after a few months, I realized I needed to take a giant step back to reassess why I was doing what I was doing. Working my way up the Hollywood chain for so long had led me to forget my love for music, and releasing my solo music and making somewhat of a splash felt wrong in a way I couldn’t fully understand. After a few years off and ultimately moving to Las Vegas in 2022, I have lived enough to look back and recognize my musical voice again. I’m excited to present this piece of work to the world as there is so much more to come.

Genres: Alternative Rock/Progressive Rock
Sounds like: Queen, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Muse
Lyrical themes: Self-preservation, injustice, loss, compulsion
Album description: For appreciators of wild creations, this album is an epic journey with a mix of soaring and layered vocals, dramatic rock elements, and orchestral sensibilities.

Credits:
Norman Kim: Songwriting, production, arrangement, recording engineer, vocals, guitars, bass guitar, strings, violin, synths, piano, guzheng, dan tranh, gayageum, charango, ronroco, additional percussion
MB Gordy: Drums/Percussion
Brian Taylor: Mixing
Greg Calbi (Sterling Sound): Mastering
Forever Constance Music: Publishing
Label: Independent/Self

Who is Norman Kim?

I am a composer, songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer based in Las Vegas, NV.

Over the last 12 years, I’ve spent most of my time in LA behind-the-scenes writing music for films and TV shows. My music has been in projects such as Dexter, Helix, and The Banker as well as in national ad campaigns for brands like Toyota, Nike, Zara, and McDonald’s.

Beginning August 2019, I started releasing music under my own name. I amassed millions of views and listens across social media in only a couple months.

In 2020, I decided I needed a giant break from music, so I moved away from Los Angeles to Las Vegas—close enough to LA, but far enough where I can feel removed. After a long three-year hiatus of re-building my “why” of what I’m doing, I have finally released my long-awaited album Just Like You on August 4, 2023.

Many more new songs are on the horizon.

VIDEOS

JUST LIKE YOU

This song was written while I was working on a Superbowl spot with themes of racial alienation for 84 Lumber. The title song from my album’s message is one of equality. Though we are all different, we are all human.

I’ve got a father, I’ve got a mother
I am just like you
I’ve got a color like all the others
We are just like you

NOTHING WRONG WITH MY LIFE

This song was my debut single released in August 2019, and I filmed the video in one take with an iPhone. Props were thrown at me, and I even smashed glass on my head!

SILENT HILL WORLD PREMIERE

I worked on Silent Hill: Downpour with composer Daniel Licht in 2011, and after he passed in 2017, as a tribute in May 2018, I arranged the mostly-synth score to be performed with a giant orchestra in Krakow, Poland. The score heavily features ethereal vocals and mandolin, both of which I performed on stage.