Something I’ve been waiting for a long time…
For the uninitiated, Epik High is a three member Korean hip-hop group. Highly recommended!
First off, considering Epik High’s smashing volume 4 (Remapping The Human Soul) (which earned them two of the year’s most prestigious awards: Best Album of the Year at the Mnet KM Music Festival and Best Hip-Hop Group at the Korean Music Awards), expectations (including mine) were on a high for the fifth album. But I’m happy to say that it not only manages to exceeds all expectations, but with a style and panache that is truly Epik High-esque!
The title track ( Track no.4 ‘One (Feat. JiSun)’ ) breaks away from raw hip hop and gives off an electronica vibe. It features Jisun (Ex-vocal of Loveholic) whose dreamy voice adds mystique to the piece. The trademark Epik High repetitive beat add spunk to the track, and the lyrics add a deeper meaning to the song, for example (translated) :
The wounds become a sickness, All doors become a wall
I’ve become an enemy in the mirror, doesn’t it hurt?….
and
Are your still dreaming, sleeping? Are you measuring all the tears you’ve shed?
Hope is a paper boat that sinks, isn’t it sad?
TRACKS TO WATCH OUT FOR :
One (Track.4), 연필깎이 (Track.5), Ignition (Track.10) and 우산 (Track.15) in which Younha’s vocals really stand out.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR :
- The collaborations with various artists – Jisun, Younha and Na Yoon Kwon in particular, as well as other artistes like Kebee, Jinbo, DJ Friz, Dynamic Duo, Dok2, Double K, TBNY. Though a collaboration with Clazziquai would have sounded intense, since the album does have an electronic feel to it, but that’s just my opinion.
- Trademark strong repetitive beats with powerful rapping backed up by thought-provoking lyrics that showcase the intellectual aspect of Epik High.
- Watch out as Epik High breaks away from traditional hip-hop by experimenting with fusion electronic, lounge and other genres creating a new fusion genre, totally fresh but totaly Epik High-esque at the same time.
- The short pieces before some of the tracks which serve as interludes, smoothly flowing into the main tracks.
VERDICT : I would give it a 9.5/10 overall (I just can’t bear to give any album 10/10 no matter how much I like it, because there can always be room for improvement). This is a great album, must-buy for everyone who want to try out something new, and of course for the usual Epik High fans.
COVER :
TRACK LIST :
01. Be
02. Breakdown
03. 서울, 1:13 AM (Short Piece)(Seoul, 1:13 AM)
04. One (feat. 지선) (Jisun) (Title)
05. 연필깎이 (feat. Kebee)(Pencil Sharpener)
06. Girl (feat. Jinbo)
07. Slave (Short Piece)
08. The Future (feat. Yankie)
09. 20 Fingers (Short Piece)
10. Ignition (feat. 나윤권) (Na Yoon Kwon)
11. Eight By Eight (feat. Double K, Dok2, TBNY, Dynamic Duo)
12. Decalcomanie
13. Icarus Walks (Short Piece)
14. 낙화 (落花) (Fallen Blossoms)
15. 우산 (feat. 윤하) (Younha) (Umbrella)
16. 당신의 조각들 (feat. 지선) (Jisun) (Your Pieces)
17. B-side 01: Breakdown (Supreme Mix)
18. B-side 02: One (Planet Shiver Remix)
View the MV for the title track here:
Actress Jung Ryu Won of Kim Sam Soon fame stars, along with the three members of Epik High in this artistic (albeit extremely dramatic) video for the title track ‘One’ featuring JiSun. I recently came across the fact that One (pronounced as ‘Won’) refers to the Korean word for ‘Rebirth’, which is basically the vein of meaning that the song runs on – rebirth and resurrection.
Music is my Life... 
