Singer Crush has revealed how important IU was in bringing their new collaboration Squeak to life, admitting that the song might never have been released if she had not agreed to work with him.
On October 21, Crush released his new single Squeak (Feat. IU), marking his first new song under his own name in approximately one year and two months since his August 2025 mini album FANG.
Ahead of the release, Crush shared details about the collaboration in an interview, explaining why he specifically wanted IU to feature on the track and how her involvement helped shape the final song.
The singer revealed that he had admired IU for years, both as a fellow musician and as a fan.
While working on the song, he became convinced that her voice was exactly what the track needed.
Crush explained, "I've been a fan of IU for a long time, and I've always respected her as an artist. While working on the song, I felt that her voice was the only one that would truly fit, so I reached out to her."
He admitted that he was especially happy when IU accepted his invitation.
However, what stood out most was his statement about how much her participation meant to the song's completion.
"To be honest, this song would never have been released if it weren't for IU," Crush revealed.
He explained that the two spent time discussing the music and carefully developing the track together, resulting in something even better than he had originally imagined.
Crush added, "We talked a lot about the song and thought through many things together. In the end, I think we created something even better than I imagined, and I'm truly grateful."
According to the singer, IU's attention to detail was one of the most impressive parts of their collaboration.
He particularly praised the way she approached music and lyrics, explaining that her voice helped him discover emotions in the song that he had not noticed while working alone.
Crush shared that he initially wondered how their different musical styles would sound together, but their voices blended more naturally than he expected.
He described the experience as a meaningful collaboration that he would remember for a long time.
The new song Squeak was written and composed by Crush himself. It explores the small misunderstandings and awkward moments that can happen when two people are in love.
Rather than presenting romance as something perfect, the track takes a playful and realistic approach to the differences that couples experience.
Crush explained, "It's a song that captures the small and big misunderstandings between two different people in love in a cute and witty way."
Because the track is a duet, he focused heavily on finding the right balance between his voice and IU's.
He carefully considered the melody, arrangement, and harmonies to make sure both artists could maintain their individual styles while creating a natural sound together.
Beyond recording the song, Crush and IU also worked together on promotional content, including a music video and live performance clip.
During filming, Crush said he was impressed by IU's acting skills and how carefully she approached each scene.
He jokingly recalled thinking, "There's a reason IU is such a great actress."
He explained that IU paid close attention not only to her character's emotions but also to the overall flow and small details of the music video.
Crush also admitted that he felt nervous during filming, but IU helped him become more comfortable.
"I was really nervous while filming, but IU was so experienced and made me feel comfortable. Thanks to her, I gradually relaxed and became more immersed in the scenes," he shared.
He added with a laugh, "It was my music video, but I think I relied on her more."
Crush also briefly discussed the meaning behind the music video, explaining that IU represents an emotional part of his character's inner world.
The video explores sadness, emotional acceptance, and finding comfort, with the singer hoping viewers will connect with its message in their own way.
For Crush, the collaboration also represents an important step in his musical journey.
After spending more than a year exploring different sounds and thinking about the direction of his music, he wanted to release a song that felt honest and meaningful.
He revealed that he spent considerable time creating, revising, and sometimes starting over before completing Squeak.
With IU's participation, he was finally able to share the music with listeners.
Crush expressed his hope that the song would remain with people long after its release, becoming something they could listen to during different moments in their lives.
The singer also revealed that he is preparing additional music projects, including a new album, although specific release details have not yet been announced.
For now, Crush is focusing on promoting Squeak (Feat. IU), a collaboration he says would not have become possible without IU's voice, creative input, and support.
