Sometimes when I'm really down, what gets me going is a strong, heavy dose of depressing music. Sounds rather kooky, but these sad songs actually work their magic by turning their ears to my private sobs, becoming very much like my dream therapist - effective and cheap.

In my own collection of therapeutic songs are many of Baek Ji Young's ballads including all three tracks from her latest mini album Gypsy's Tears. While her earlier hits were predominantly Latin-influenced dance numbers, Baek successfully transformed from a sexy dancing queen to a ballad diva with her 2006 hit Sarang ahn hae("I Won't Love") which drowned me in a flood of tears for days. The reason behind her appeal goes beyond her sensual husky vocal timbre which does wonders to the song's brooding atmosphere, but falls on the sense of sincerity that is deeply rooted in her music. Touching on all possible heartaches a person can muster in one lifetime, Baek's songs do justice to my sanity in times of sadness.

Baek's latest mini album Gypsy's Tears offers triple doses of remedy. The titular song kicks off with a gypsy-like Spanish flamenco guitar intro. Then the lush sounds of piano and string arrangement drift into a mid-tempo groove that carries Baek's sorrowful and restrained vocals. Using the synthesized sounds of water drops to represent the gypsy's trickling tears, the song resonates with the emotions of a jaded gypsy who wanders aimlessly across the sonic terrain, waiting for her departed love. The next track Jeon hwa han bun up nae yo ("Not Even One Call") which previously featured in Baek's sixth album The Sixth Miracle, speaks of love that has eloped, forcing the one left behind to tie up the loose ends. The album's last track Like An Old Habit is also a gentle mourner that leaves you awash in emotion, lamenting the agony of holding onto an unrequited love.

Adding truth to the lyrics and personal touches to each melody, Baek bares her soul with uncompromising flair. Though I know nothing of her personal life except for the scandal that drove her career to near obscurity some years ago, it seems that the woman has many stories to tell, and she does it convincingly through her music.