[3] On September 5, 2019, AKMU's agency YG Entertainment released a poster notifying their comeback in two years and two months, since Summer Episode in July 2017.

[4] Next day, disclosing a teaser video, YG Entertainment announced the release of AKMU's third full-length album, titled Sailing.

[5] In an article for Korea JoongAng Daily, Kim Eun-jin wrote that AKMU "takes a sharp turn from the bright and bubbly tones that characterized their earlier music.

... With lyrics that discuss topics like freedom expressed through sentimental melodies and acoustic sounds, Sailing is an album that reflects the depth and maturity.

"[6] Tamar Herman of Billboard said that the "album features songs that show the pair's artistic development, exploring a variety of new genres all the while still incorporating their distinctly vibrant, soulful folk-pop sound.