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Taeyang, one of K-pop’s most enduring vocal presences and lead singer of BIGBANG, returned Monday with “Quintessence,” his fourth solo studio album and first full-length release since “White Night” in 2017. The record dropped on his birthday, a detail the artist called a meaningful gift to fans. “I’ve been incredibly busy this year,” Taeyang said at a press showcase held hours before the album’s release at Cube Convention Center in Mapo District, Seoul. “I was preparing for BIGBANG’s Coachella appearance while finishing the album at the same time. I haven’t had a single day off since the Coachella stage. But I’m more excited than anxious. I’m glad I can give fans something good on my birthday,” he said. As the title suggests, “Quintessence” is a record of self-distillation. Taeyang described it as an attempt to find what is most essentially himself after two decades in the spotlight. “This year marks twenty years since my debut, which made it an especially important moment,” he said. “While making this album I focused on what feels most like me while still being something new. The challe