Epik High - ‘Epik High Is Here (Part 1)’ Album Review

2019’s Sleepless in __________ was a decisive return to independence for the Korean hip-hop trio Epik High. Across the seven-track EP there was a pronounced thematic tact, and a congruent narrative theme which allowed for the veterans to flex their songwriting chops in a broad space. Now, though, it’s time for their first full-length venture since leaving the shackles of a major label. Titled Epik High Is Here, the two-part album seeks to further explore the human condition and, if its first instalment is anything to go by, successfully does just that with a slew of substance.

And, as is typically the case with Epik High, the LP boasts a whole host of interesting collaborators. From the magnetically popular hip-hop star/CEO Zico, to the internationally acclaimed CL, all the way to younger upstarts such as Woo and B.I, there’s a strong depth of diversity across the ten tracks, and a pool of talent that is near impossible to hand-wave.

Proceedings begin with “Lesson Zero,” a continuation of their “Lesson” series of tracks plaintively remodelled for the times we find ourselves living in. Here, Epik High decide to go through a process of unlearning, a shedding of skin, and an acknowledgement that after a year of eye-opening political scandal, uprisings and a pandemic that has shook the world to its core, only an entirely clean slate will suffice. “No more teachers, no more profits prophets, no more heroes,” Tablo raps over dulcet, brooding keys, tempered drum beats and chugging guitar chords, each note feeling both venomous and inherently vulnerable. It’s a lyrically razor sharp, astutely reflective opener, one which, despite its brevity, covers all bases deftly, bringing with it plenty of pensive food for thought.

“Rosario” follows, a scratchy Latin-tinged hip-hop track which sees the artists triumphantly exclaim “I am a legend and I’m here to stay” and “I paved the way for everyone that is pavin’ the way.” It’s a grand offering, with the trap beats working extremely well in the verses as Tablo, CL, Zico and Mithra Jin assuredly manoeuvre their way in between them, and the decadent brass in the chorus adding one final layer of splendour. As far as title-tracks go, it’s bold and brazen, but if anyone has the career that backs up the lofty claims made here, it’s Epik High.

However, “Based On A True Story” soon turns affairs down a notch, opening with Heize’s sweetened, vulnerable vocals atop of a wishfully twinkling piano melody, before Tablo comes in for an astute harmonising section delivered over arpeggiated strings. From there, the controlled rap verses effectively weave their way around Heize’s powerful chorus, the instrumentals slightly more freeform but still congruently impactful. Penned about how during the COVID age everyone seemingly experiences the same stories of loss, sadness, isolation and loneliness, it’s a track which supplies a more low-key type of poignance compared to the in-your-face “Lesson Zero,” yet still delivers a hefty amount of emotional vehemence, and stands out as one of the release’s finer efforts.

“Acceptance Speech” returns to assertive territory, though, documenting the falls and rises an artist faces, as well as the undesirable emotional effect that such ups and downs can have. Built around thumping drum beats and underlying synths, it’s melodically strong, with its well built chorus seamlessly fitting around the lyrically spirited verses. Perhaps it’s quite apt too that B.I, an artist who has experienced both the meteoric rises (iKON, who he once led, had a show-stopping year under his guidance in 2018) and the unrelenting falls (he was later expelled from the group due to a marijuana scandal) features here, offering a youthful nuance to the song, and a risky gravitas which sees the star thrust back into the spotlight he so evidently belongs under. It’s another phenomenal point in a record full of them, balancing grounded realism with artistry flawlessly.

At the mid-point of the release, “Leica,” featuring Kim Sawol, feels understated compared to the album’s other cuts. Starting with a warbling, raw introduction, a neatly wrapped verse centred around trap beats and a subtle key melody follows, before Kim‘s smooth chorus delivery which culminates in a soft uttering of “I’m gonna be ok,” something which appears not to be rooted in self-belief, gives the track its gravitas. It’s tonally consistent throughout its two-and-a-half-minute runtime, never deviating from the aforementioned formula, and excels in being a welcome breather rather than a focal point of the ten-track offering.

Quickly though, the ensemble “In Self-Defense” switches gear once more, utilising a brooding bassline and staccato samples to craft a tangibly fervent vibe, and a soundscape which is starkly intimidating. Nucksal, Woo and Changmo all excel in their given roles too, serving plenty of aggression and pent up emotion across their evenly spread verses. For fans of clear-cut hip-hop this will most likely go down as a track to remember, with its harsh tone and strong showcase of talent aiding in moulding something worth more than just a passing listen.

“True Crime” favours subtlety, with its condensed piano melody representing an underlying sense of longing, but never diving headfirst into needless melodrama. Written to depict a controversial, passionate love, it’s effortlessly emotional, with Miso’s vocally stunning chorus sung over a sonically restrained beat drop standing out as a tour-de-force, its slightly disjointed feeling painting a moody sense of agape. Packed full of replay value, “True Crime” may just be an outside choice for the album’s standout.

From here, we get the breezy “Social Distance 16,” an “ode” to the pandemic packed with bucketloads of aggression and a freestyle-like composition, before “End Of The World” begins with plucked acoustic guitar riffs and the sincere voice of GSoul softly stating “I want you to love me, like it’s the end of the world.” Laced with repeating trap beats, Epik High complement the resonant chorus with their affecting verses on how society is changing, and how the end of the world sometimes feels much nearer than once expected. The track’s apex, which adds phenomenally atmospheric synths, feels particularly stirring, making way eventually to a subdued outro in which the vocals fade into the background, and the synths give way to a contemplative piano melody. A strong blending of R&B and hip-hop, “End Of The World” is quite simply a musical masterstroke.

And finally comes “Wish You Were,” a track which plods along with simple percussion and a looped piano melody. Largely spoken word, it’s an outro which delivers one final sucker-punch of plangency, and book-ends the release with ample food for thought. Just like “Lesson Zero,” both efforts excel in their intended brevity, and both unabatingly leave their audiences slack-jawed and pondering.

In conclusion, Epik High Is Here (Part 1) is a truly exceptional album. Never short of depth, poignancy or ambition, it shows the rap veterans at their lyrical and sonic best, whilst also leaving plenty of excitement for whatever the second instalment holds.

Album Rating: 9.5/10